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It's surprising, however we're nearly at the new Switch 2 console's six-month anniversary. Once Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases on the fourth of December, we can provide the console a detailed progress report based on its solid selection of first-party launch window games. Blockbuster games like Donkey Kong Bananza will lead that check-in, but it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and recently Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, that have helped the new console conquer a crucial test in its opening six months: the tech exam.

Addressing Power Worries

Before Nintendo officially announced the successor system, the primary worry from gamers regarding the hypothetical device was regarding performance. When it comes to hardware, Nintendo has lagged behind Sony and Microsoft over the last few console generations. That fact was evident in the end of the Switch era. The expectation was that a Switch 2 would introduce smoother performance, better graphics, and industry-standard features like 4K resolution. That's exactly what we got when the device was debuted this summer. That's what its specs indicated, anyway. To accurately assess if the new console is an improvement, we required examples of important releases running on it. That has now happened in recent days, and the prognosis remains healthy.

The Pokémon Title serving as First Test

The system's initial big challenge arrived with October's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon games had some infamous tech struggles on the initial console, with releases including the Scarlet and Violet games debuting in downright disastrous states. The console itself wasn't solely responsible for that; the underlying technology running the Pokémon titles was outdated and getting stretched beyond its capabilities in the transition to larger environments. Legends: Z-A would be a bigger examination for its developer than any other factor, but there was still a lot to observe from the title's graphics and its operation on the upgraded hardware.

Although the title's basic graphics has sparked discussions about the studio's prowess, it's clear that this Pokémon game is nowhere near the performance mess of its predecessor, Arceus. It operates at a consistent 60 fps on Switch 2, but the original console tops out at thirty frames. Objects still appear suddenly, and you may notice plenty of blurry assets if you look closely, but you won't experience anything like the moment in Arceus where you begin airborne travel and see the whole terrain beneath transform into a rough, low-poly terrain. This is sufficient to grant the new console a decent grade, but with caveats considering that the developer has separate challenges that worsen restricted capabilities.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment as the More Challenging Tech Test

There is now a more compelling tech test, yet, thanks to the new Hyrule Warriors, launched earlier this month. This Zelda derivative challenges the upgraded system thanks to its Musou formula, which has gamers battling a literal army of monsters constantly. The earlier title, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, performed poorly on the first Switch as the system couldn't handle with its rapid gameplay and sheer amount of activity. It frequently dropped below its target 30fps and gave the impression that you were breaking the game when going too hard in battle.

Fortunately is that it also passes the tech test. Having tested the game through its paces during the past month, playing every single mission it has to offer. During that period, it's clear that it's been able to deliver a smoother performance relative to its previous game, actually hitting its 60 fps mark with better regularity. Performance can dip in the fiercest fights, but I've yet to hit any situation where it becomes a choppy presentation as the frame rate suffers. Some of this may result from the fact that its short levels are designed to avoid overwhelming hordes on the battlefield concurrently.

Significant Trade-offs and Final Assessment

Remaining are foreseeable trade-offs. Especially, cooperative multiplayer sees performance taking a substantial reduction closer to the 30 fps range. Additionally the first Switch 2 first-party game where it's apparent a significant contrast between previous OLED screens and the updated LCD screen, with particularly during cinematics appearing less vibrant.

However generally, this release is a dramatic improvement compared to its earlier title, like the Pokémon game is to the earlier Pokémon title. Should you require any sign that the Switch 2 is delivering on its performance claims, although with certain reservations present, the two releases provide a clear example of how the Switch 2 is substantially boosting series that struggled on older technology.