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It's hard to believe, but we're already closing in on the new Switch 2 console's six-month anniversary. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond debuts on December 4, we can provide the device a fairly thorough evaluation thanks to its strong lineup of exclusive launch window games. Blockbuster games like Donkey Kong Bananza will headline that analysis, yet it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and currently the Hyrule Warriors sequel, that have helped the successor pass a key challenge in its opening six months: the tech exam.

Addressing Power Concerns

Ahead of Nintendo officially announced the successor system, the primary worry from gamers regarding the rumored system was concerning hardware. When it comes to hardware, Nintendo trailed competing consoles over the last few console generations. That fact became apparent in the Switch's final years. The expectation was that a Switch 2 would deliver consistent frame rates, better graphics, and standard options like 4K. That's precisely what arrived when the system was launched in June. That's what its specs indicated, for the most part. To accurately assess if the upgraded system is an improvement, it was necessary to observe major titles operating on the system. We now have that evidence in recent days, and the outlook is positive.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A serving as Early Examination

The console's first major test arrived with October's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Pokémon series had notable performance issues on the first Switch, with titles such as Scarlet and Violet releasing in very poor shape. The system wasn't solely responsible for those issues; the underlying technology running Game Freak's RPGs was old and being pushed much further than it could go in the series' gradual open-world pivot. Legends: Z-A would be more challenging for its studio than anything, but there was still a lot to observe from the visual presentation and how it runs on the new system.

Despite the release's limited detail has opened debates about Game Freak's technical capabilities, there's no denying that this Pokémon game is not at all like the performance mess of its earlier title, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It performs at a stable 60 frames per second on the new console, but the older hardware tops out at 30 fps. Objects still appear suddenly, and you'll find many low-resolution elements if you look closely, but you won't hit anything similar to the situation in Arceus where you initially fly and see the whole terrain beneath become a uneven, basic graphics. This is sufficient to earn the Switch 2 some passing marks, though with reservations given that the developer has separate challenges that amplify limited hardware.

The New Zelda Game as a Tougher Performance Examination

We now have a more demanding performance examination, yet, thanks to the new Hyrule Warriors, released November 6. This Zelda derivative pushes the Switch 2 thanks to its action-oriented style, which has gamers battling a massive horde of creatures constantly. The series' previous game, the previous Hyrule Warriors, struggled on the original Switch as the console couldn't keep up with its fast-paced action and numerous on-screen elements. It regularly decreased below its target 30fps and produced the feeling that you were breaking the game when going too hard in battle.

Thankfully is that it also passes the tech test. After playing the game through its paces in recent weeks, experiencing every level included. During that period, it's clear that it achieves a smoother performance versus its predecessor, reaching its 60 fps mark with more consistency. It sometimes drops in the most heated of battles, but I've yet to hit any situation where I'm suddenly watching a slideshow as the framerate chugs. Some of this could be because of the fact that its compact stages are careful not to put excessive numbers of foes on the display simultaneously.

Important Trade-offs and Overall Verdict

There are still expected limitations. Especially, splitscreen co-op experiences a substantial reduction near thirty frames. It's also the first Switch 2 first-party game where it's apparent a major difference between my old OLED display and the updated LCD screen, with notably in story sequences appearing less vibrant.

But for the most part, Age of Imprisonment is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor, just as Pokémon Legends: Z-A is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. If you need any sign that the Switch 2 is delivering on its tech promises, although with certain reservations present, the two releases demonstrate effectively of how Nintendo's latest is markedly enhancing titles that performed poorly on older technology.