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It's surprising, yet we're already closing in on the new Switch 2 console's six-month anniversary. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond debuts on Dec. 4, we'll be able to give the console a detailed progress report based on its strong lineup of Nintendo-developed initial releases. Heavy hitters like the new Donkey Kong game will dominate that review, however it's the company's latest releases, the Pokémon Legends installment and currently Age of Imprisonment, that have helped the successor conquer a crucial test in its first six months: the tech exam.

Addressing Power Issues

Prior to Nintendo officially announced the new console, the biggest concern from gamers around the hypothetical device was about power. In terms of hardware, the company fell behind PlayStation and Xbox for several generations. That reality began to show in the Switch's final years. The desire was that a new model would introduce consistent frame rates, smoother textures, and modern capabilities like 4K. That's exactly what we got when the device was debuted this summer. At least that's what its technical details suggested, at least. To truly know if the new console is an enhancement, we required examples of some key games operating on the system. We've finally gotten that in recent days, and the outlook is positive.

The Pokémon Title as the First Test

The console's first major test arrived with the October release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The franchise had some infamous tech struggles on the original Switch, with titles such as Scarlet and Violet launching in highly problematic conditions. Nintendo's hardware wasn't solely responsible for that; the game engine driving Game Freak's RPGs was aged and strained beyond its capabilities in the transition to larger environments. The new game would be more challenging for its developer than any other factor, but there remained much to analyze from the title's graphics and performance on Switch 2.

Despite the release's basic graphics has sparked discussions about the studio's prowess, it's clear that the latest installment is far from the performance mess of its earlier title, the previous Legends game. It operates at a consistent 60 fps on the upgraded system, but the older hardware reaches only 30 frames per second. Pop-in is still present, and you'll find many low-resolution elements if you zoom in, but you won't hit anything resembling the instance in the previous game where you first take to the skies and watch the whole terrain beneath turn into a jagged, polygonal surface. That qualifies to grant the new console some passing marks, but with caveats considering that the studio has separate challenges that amplify restricted capabilities.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serving as a More Challenging Performance Examination

Currently available is a more demanding performance examination, though, due to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, out Nov. 6. This Zelda derivative tests the new console thanks to its hack-and-slash gameplay, which has users confronting a massive horde of creatures constantly. The franchise's last installment, Age of Calamity, struggled on the original Switch as the hardware struggled with its fast-paced action and sheer amount of activity. It often fell below its target 30fps and gave the impression that you were pushing too hard when being too aggressive.

Fortunately is that it too succeeds the performance examination. After playing the title extensively during the past month, completing all missions included. In that time, I've found that it manages to provide a smoother performance compared to its previous game, reaching its 60 fps mark with better regularity. Performance can dip in the most intense combat, but I haven't experienced any time when I'm suddenly watching a stuttering mess as the framerate chugs. A portion of this could be because of the reality that its short levels are careful not to put overwhelming hordes on the battlefield concurrently.

Important Limitations and Overall Evaluation

Remaining are foreseeable trade-offs. Most notably, splitscreen co-op has a substantial reduction around 30 frames. It's also the premier exclusive release where I've really noticed a noticeable variation between previous OLED screens and the current LCD panel, with notably in story sequences appearing less vibrant.

Overall though, Age of Imprisonment is a complete change compared to its earlier title, similar to the Pokémon game is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. If you need evidence that the new console is meeting its performance claims, although with certain reservations present, the two releases demonstrate effectively of the way the new console is significantly improving titles that performed poorly on old hardware.