Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 drops below 20 FPS in Dogtown — Digital Foundry examined the game

Cyberpunk 2077 was successfully ported to Switch 2 and received DLSS support.

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition became one of the launch releases for the Nintendo Switch 2. Digital Foundry specialist Thomas Morgan decided to take a look at this version of the game and shared his testing results.

Switch 2 players have access to a pair of graphics modes: in handheld and docked format. In both cases, there are “Quality” (30 FPS) and “Performance” (targeting 40 FPS) options.

Docked mode:

• Quality — 720–1080p, DLSS upscale to 1080p; 30 FPS
• Performance — 540–1080p, DLSS upscale to 1080p; 40 FPS

Handheld mode:

• Quality — 450–810p; DLSS upscale to 810p; 40 FPS
• Performance — 360–720p; DLSS upscale to 720p; 30 FPS

In terms of graphics, Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is on par with Xbox Series S. This version of the game uses a custom version of the DLSS upscaler — this delivers a higher-quality image on the console. The DF specialist notes that switching to DLSS “pays huge dividends compared to PS4, which resolves in the 720p to 900p range with CDPR's TAA. Fine details like rain resolve with greater clarity against dark night skies; fences show fewer obvious artifacts as characters walk past in the foreground [...] the DLSS method on Switch 2 is more adept at resolving detail while avoiding image noise where obvious artifacts exist. In particular, Cyberpunk's screen-space reflections suffer from a grainy, shimmering artifact on base PS4, which cleans up nicely with DLSS for a more stable result on Switch 2. [DLSS] also allows distant details — foliage, buildings — to be displayed with greater clarity in motion.”

Performance in Cyberpunk 2077 occasionally encounters issues; for example, in “Performance” mode while docked, the game can hold the target 40 FPS indoors, but in open areas, the frame rate sometimes drops below 30. The DF specialist noted that there is no VRR support in the dock, so he recommends switching to “Quality”, where the game runs more stably.

In handheld mode, the average frame rate is on par with docked; drops are observed in “heavy” locations like Kabuki or areas from the Phantom Liberty DLC. Handheld mode supports VRR, and according to the DF specialist, in this case it is worth using “Performance”.

Video: https://youtu.be/C7fExZx1QyU

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Cover art author: CD Projekt RED. Image source: nintendo.com