Support NeoGAF

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Among the most ambitious titles to appear on Switch 2 at its launch, Cyberpunk 2077 is a real litmus test for how open world games will run on Nintendo's system. We put its 30fps quality and 40fps performance modes through their paces - in docked and portable play - where there are mixed results depending on whether you play the core adventure or the taxing Phantom Liberty expansion.

00:00 Introduction
02:10 Switch 2 Modes Compared
04:53 Visuals Compared vs PS4/Series S/PS5
10:38 Switch 2 vs PS4 Frame-Rate Test
12:05 Switch 2 vs Series S Frame-Rate Test
13:27 40FPS Performance Mode Frame-Rate Test
14:55 Portable Mode Tested
16:16 Verdict

Accompanying Eurogamer article:

Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2: a cutting-edge game translates well to Nintendo's console hybrid

Tom Morgan tests Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 for Digital Foundry. Does the game - and its challenging Phantom Liberty expansion - run well on mobile hardware?

www.eurogamer.net

 

[Skifi28]

The 40fps mode seems kinda pointless. And, despite all the improvements over PS4, it unfortunately has the same NPC and traffic density settings which makes the city kinda dead. Dogtown also seems to be a mess. Respectable effort, but I'd still recommened any other moden version instead unless you really don't have any other choice.

 

[LakeOf9]

That's an incredibly impressive port. Bodes well for future support.

Hopefully they continue to patch this over time as well.

 

[Hyet]

Very nice for an early effort. I look forward to seeing how much they can squeeze out of it.

 

[Physiognomonics]

Not a miracle port this time? I have seen elsewhere that it was the worst performing version of Cyberpunk and that any other version was better than this one.

 

[RoboFu]

DF told me fast fusion was a mess. DF lied to me. So I could give a damn about they have to say in their snarky giggly tones about anything.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Oof. Very concerning

 

[Mr Moose]

Why PS4 and not PS4 Pro?

 

[Skifi28]

DF told me fast fusion was a mess. DF lied to me. So I could give a damn about they have to say in their snarky giggly tones about anything.

In terms of image quality, which it is if one has a working pair of eyes. They also recommened the game regardless because it's great.

 

[Dr.D00p]

Not seen one in person but christ that Switch 2 screen looks a washed out dog of an LCD panel in that video.

 

[Kurt]

Ok better texture quality and better image quality as series s. Most stable 30fps.

I'm glad that they finally agree its not a ps4. But a device that on some levels is even better as series s

 

[Xdrive05]

Clearly super smart of Nintendo to go with (and stick with) Nvidia for their SoCs in these tablet consoles. The efficiency of the Tegra platform w/ARM + DLSS means it's way better than it would otherwise have any right to be for that form factor & power budget. Probably wouldn't have turned out nearly as well if they hadn't back-ported Ada power gating into this Ampere based design, too. 10w is stupid low power draw to be producing a viable 40fps mode in handheld (with the VRR display there) in this heavy of a game. 12GB was also clearly a smart move given the texture resolution results. Here's hoping they expand the usable RAM further in the future.

Enhanced 8th gen ports will be plentiful in the near future as third parties get dev kits and spend their ramp up time getting their PS4 hits on Switch 2, and hopefully implement DLSS while they're at it. We'll probably see a lot of PS4 ports running at twice-ish the resolution (or double framerate!) with DLSS and potentially much better texture work if they bother to do it right. PS4 had some real bangers that could be so much better on Switch 2 if any effort at all is applied.

 

[Saber]

Not a miracle port this time? I have seen elsewhere that it was the worst performing version of Cyberpunk and that any other version was better than this one.

I think because PS4 still plays Cyberpunk. The hardware is outdated sure, but if PS4 can run then so a modern console as well.

 

[GigaBowser]

love thirs game on switch 2 thank CDPR they make cyberpunk great combat garphics armazing game over



Best Selling game over 60 fps patch likes the series s incoming

Nintendo Switch 2's Best-Selling eShop Launch Games Revealed — and Those $10 Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Upgrades Are Right Up There - IGN

24 hours into Switch 2's life, it's time to look at what's selling best on the new console's eShop — and get a sense of just how popular those $10 Zelda upgrades have been.

www.ign.com

Finally, here is the Switch 2 eShop launch day chart as a handy list:

1. Mario Kart World
2. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
3. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
4. Fast Fusion
5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Upgrade Pack
6. Deltarune
7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Upgrade Pack
8. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
9. Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
10. Yakuza 0
11. Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition
12. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Switch 2 Edition
13. Hitman: World of Assassination
14. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Switch 2 Edition
15. Hogwarts Legacy

 

[Romulus]

It's an improvement over ps4 but that console came out in 2013 and wasn't even considered powerful back then(especially the cpu)

And, much of that reason could just be DLSS advancements over ps4. I get that its a handheld and "muh low wattage tho" but its just not that good considering how old and shitty ps4 is at this point.

The DLC framerate is absolutely horrid on top of that. Overall, its okay I guess and cool that it exists but nothing to be excited about. I guess comparing it to Series S is more impressive but that thing seems to have always been trash for the most part but it still wins convincingly despite being old and small form factor.

 

[Karim]

Not a miracle port this time? I have seen elsewhere that it was the worst performing version of Cyberpunk and that any other version was better than this one.

This time wasn't a crossgen port. Surprise surprise. Goodbye series S.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Some PS4/XSS/SW2/PS5 comparison from the Eurogamer article:

 

[kevboard]

DF told me fast fusion was a mess. DF lied to me. So I could give a damn about they have to say in their snarky giggly tones about anything.

the developers already announced a patch with a mode that doesn't use DLSS, after a big chunk of their fans told them the game looks like ass in motion...

I think you might just be blind?

 

[willothedog]

• Quality Mode: Targets 1080p docked, rendering between 720p to 1080p, and 810p in handheld mode.
• Performance Mode: Targets 40fps, with resolution ranging from 540p to 1080p docked, and 360p to 720p handheld

While DLSS helps maintain sharp visuals, fast motion can cause blurring and artefacts, especially in Night City's busy streets.

While Quality Mode provides a more stable experience, Performance Mode struggles to maintain 40fps, especially in Phantom Liberty's Dogtown region, where frame rates frequently drop below 30fps. VRR support in handheld mode helps smooth out dips, but fast traversal and combat can still cause noticeable stutters.

 

[RodriGames40]

This port proves that although Switch 2's GPU is quite phenomenal all things considered, going with those A78C cores so low clocked was a mistake. The 2027-ish revision better unlock those up to 1.7 ghz at least, 1ghz is simply too low for a CPU.

 

[Romulus]

This port proves that although Switch 2's GPU is quite phenomenal all things considered, going with those A78C cores so low clocked was a mistake. The 2027-ish revision better unlock those up to 1.7 ghz at least, 1ghz is simply too low for a CPU.

Which versions in the comparison are using modern DLSS other than switch 2?

 

[RodriGames40]

Which versions in the comparison are using modern DLSS other than switch 2?

I am talking of the CPU, hence the PS4 comparable NPC and crowd density.

 

[GigaBowser]

 

[kevboard]

Some PS4/XSS/SW2/PS5 comparison from the Eurogamer article:

The Switch 2 version is essentially what the PS4 version should have been. it solves the biggest issues of the PS4 version by the virtue of not being reliant on a really shitty HDD and the worst CPU architecture in recent history.
while not being able to match the CPU and I/O speed of the Gen9 systems and therefore still struggling when pushed.

and of course, DLSS does a ton of heavy lifting here, and I bet Nintendo is incredibly happy now that they went with Nvidia for the Switch 1, so now they are reaping the benefits compared to the outdated feature set of the RDNA2 GPUs of the Gen9 consoles.

 

[Romulus]

I am talking of the CPU, hence the PS4 comparable NPC and crowd density.

That's true, and I always heard the PS4 cpu was bad in 2013, like really bad.

 

[Fbh]

Cyberpunk: Pandemic edition!

Seriously though, seems like a decent port making good use of DLSS to offer some pretty good image quality and a nice upgrade over last gen systems, but with some significant cutbacks compared to current home consoles. As a relatively affordable handheld though, this is quite impressive.

I'm one of the people who thought Switch 2 was going to be like a base PS4 at best, and ports like these definitely prove otherwise.

 

[LordOcidax]

As expected . Finally the discussion is going to end.

 

[Kurt]

The Switch 2 version is essentially what the PS4 version should have been. it solves the biggest issues of the PS4 version by the virtue of not being reliant on a really shitty HDD and the worst CPU architecture in recent history.
while not being able to match the CPU and I/O speed of the Gen9 systems and therefore still struggling when pushed.

and of course, DLSS does a ton of heavy lifting here, and I bet Nintendo is incredibly happy now that they went with Nvidia for the Switch 1, so now they are reaping the benefits compared to the outdated feature set of the RDNA2 GPUs of the Gen9 consoles.

Impossible. Switch 2 uses the current gen textures. The results are even closer to ps5 as they are to series s. Let alone the fzster storage and much mor ram. There is no way ps4 could even get close to this with optimized code. The difference between them are huge on most levels. There are clearly some things scaled down but compared to the other things, its clear that switch is a series s lite where it has the benefit of games that could even pass the series s depending on the cpu usage. Thats insane for a portable handheld.

Its good that DF aknowledge its no near ps4 quality. Anyone who still say ps4 experience hw is official a troll. The facts are in.

 

[clarky]

Not seen one in person but christ that Switch 2 screen looks a washed out dog of an LCD panel in that video.

That the video if anything. Screen is decent in person.

 

[Mortisfacio]

5 year old game looks serviceable on a week old console, running crowd density settings applied to the 12 year old console. Oof.

 

[LordOcidax]

Lol, the Youtube comments section of the video… People saying that the video is a paid Nintendo advertisement for the Switch 2 Some people just can't take the L.

 

[Redneckerz]

Like the platform it runs on, Cyberpunk Switch 2 is a hybrid of last and current-gen. Pretty impressive considering the power envelope.

The expansion clearly needs an additional patch or 2 to get to 30 fps, but it does highlight that you can do so much on low clocks. I think this port highlights a lot of strong elements of the hardware, and some of the weak (legacy) stuff that was also present at the original Switch hardware. Its potent, but only in the eyes of the beholder, and like every Nintendo system before, it will take mastery to get ahold of its primes.

In that sense, Switch 2 hardware is more like a console where there is untapped potential, - partially due to it being different arch and it being less than a PC, but DLSS does a lot of the heavy lifting.

All in all, you get a pretty good experience that works even better on the go. Good start for the hardware.

 

[RodriGames40]

That's true, and I always heard the PS4 cpu was bad in 2013, like really bad.

Switch 2 at the hardware level seems to be a repeat of this console, for real. The GPU is phenomenal, the CPU is holding it back in most of this video's scenes... For whatever reason, Nintendo was okay with a Jaguar situation again.

 

[ValiantInstance]

Battery life worth a mention, there was a test last week on this game that showed it lasted more than twice as long as the ROG Ally. And the Switch 2 doesn't go into an unplayable power saving mode below 10%.

I think the hardware justifies the price. It's the software that is the questionable proposition. The only Switch game I'd played was Super Mario Odyssey so it was a no brainer for me.

 

[Spyxos]

I guess it is ok if you dont want to play the addon.

 

[LordOcidax]

Like the platform it runs on, Cyberpunk Switch 2 is a hybrid of last and current-gen. Pretty impressive considering the power envelope.

The expansion clearly needs an additional patch or 2 to get to 30 fps, but it does highlight that you can do so much on low clocks. I think this port highlights a lot of strong elements of the hardware, and some of the weak (legacy) stuff that was also present at the original Switch hardware. Its potent, but only in the eyes of the beholder, and like every Nintendo system before, it will take mastery to get ahold of its primes.

In that sense, Switch 2 hardware is more like a console where there is untapped potential, - partially due to it being different arch and it being less than a PC, but DLSS does a lot of the heavy lifting.

All in all, you get a pretty good experience that works even better on the go. Good start for the hardware.

I think that with a few patches is going to reach stables 30fps and 40fps…Impressive tech showcase for the console.

 

[yipchunyu]

so, for dock mode. Choose the quality mode. For portable, one may consider to use performance mode (while the video didn't show too much information) as it has VRR

 

[Redneckerz]

That's true, and I always heard the PS4 cpu was bad in 2013, like really bad.

Total perf of an 8 core jaguar (Which was also in PC's as AMD Temash, but with less cores) is at best equivalent to a Core 2 Quad Q6600.

Which is fine. But PS3's Cell is clock for clock better by quite some margin, even X360 was pretty powerful.

However, That hardware also had Killzone Shadowfall at launch, a game that still visually keeps up 12 years later.

I think that with a few patches is going to reach stables 30fps and 40fps…Impressive tech showcase for the console.

It depends on what CDPR want. Its early days, hence most game news of the week still only have Nintendo Switch 1 announcements.

I think we can fairly expect Kingdom Come Deliverance II to Switch 2. Borderlands 4 is already coming. Key is to keep expectations at bay. Its not a Series S. Its not a PS4. It plays right inbetween nuancing certain things more positive akin to Series S and otherwise to PS4 on the other side.

Now with Steam Deck's APU going third party as Ryzen Z2 A, i am wondering if someone uses that to create a small TV console, running SteamOS, using the Steam Deck APU. Then you can get a good comparison with docked Switch 2.

 

[kaizenkko]

Good for those who wants to play Cyberpunk in a Nintendo console. Personally, don't would like to play a game like this on Switch. City looks so empty and miss 60fps.

 

[GigaBowser]

wars crud played 2020 ps4 pro buuuuut 1000 times betters now switch 2 cyberpunk ulimitie charmpione ones of best open world all times

 

[VolticArchangel]

love thirs game on switch 2 thank CDPR they make cyberpunk great combat garphics armazing game over

wars crud played 2020 ps4 pro buuuuut 1000 times betters now switch 2 cyberpunk ulimitie charmpione ones of best open world all times

Pretty sure this guy's trolling around, but the writing style reminded me on someone here on GAF, from a long time ago.

Anyone remember Crazy Buttocks On A Train (CBOAT) before the Xbone reveal, leaking inside stuff from Xbox?

 

[FalconPunch]

Yea, not a great port tbf. I feel scammed that i paid $99 CDN for it. Like we expected, DLSS is doing most of the heavy lifting and other than that, it's just not very good. It's essentially the ps4 version with improved textures and loading. The base resolutions fed into DLSS are lower than last gen consoles but DLSS carries.

Also playing this game on the joycons is legit trash but that's not CDPRs fault. Patiently waiting for better 3rd party joycons top show up.

 

[Kataploom]

The 40fps mode seems kinda pointless. And, despite all the improvements over PS4, it unfortunately has the same NPC and traffic density settings which makes the city kinda dead. Dogtown also seems to be a mess. Respectable effort, but I'd still recommened any other moden version instead unless you really don't have any other choice.

Well, this clearly shows how it's the CPU the limitation for Switch 2 and not the GPU, it can run at around XSS quality levels, even superior in some aspects, yet some stuff have to be set back like crowd density or frame rate even tho the GPU is capable.

Lol, the Youtube comments section of the video… People saying that the video is a paid Nintendo advertisement for the Switch 2 Some people just can't take the L.

Maybe they should have payed DF as well for a proper MKW review, I'm still disappointed by it... The most important game reviewed the in a very poor way compared to Fast Fusion and CP2077

 

[Bitstream]

The phantom liberty content is also more taxing right when it launches than when revisiting that area.
Early on there are way more enemy patrols and activity due to story events that unfold that aren't really representative of dogtown outside of the first hour and a half of that segment.

 

[Gambit2483]

I didn't watch but I'm sure this is DF's weekly anti-Switch 2 video. Not giving those clickbaiters one cent of ad revenue.

 

[LordOcidax]

I didn't watch but I'm sure this is DF's weekly anti-Switch 2 video. Not giving those clickbaiters one cent of ad revenue.

Actually no, they were more objective this time, and the results are really good. Like i predicted a long time ago.

 

[Kataploom]

The phantom liberty content is also more taxing right when it launches than when revisiting that area.
Early on there are way more enemy patrols and activity due to story events that unfold that aren't really representative of dogtown outside of the first hour and a half of that segment.

I was wondering, if it runs at around 23 fps on Switch while driving, how would it be running on PS4? Like 13 fps while having very frequent and longer traversal stuttering due to slow HDD and still lower than low graphics config?

BTW, I need to ge this game on PC, not sure if I should play it in my 6700 XT or wait before I get a 9070 XT somewhere later this year...

 

[Redneckerz]

Pretty sure this guy's trolling around, but the writing style reminded me on someone here on GAF, from a long time ago.

Anyone remember Crazy Buttocks On A Train (CBOAT) before the Xbone reveal, leaking inside stuff from Xbox?

I do. Lovely account from a time where hype actually had some meaning to it.

Yea, not a great port tbf. I feel scammed that i paid $99 CDN for it. Like we expected, DLSS is doing most of the heavy lifting and other than that, it's just not very good. It's essentially the ps4 version with improved textures and loading. The base resolutions fed into DLSS are lower than last gen consoles but DLSS carries.

Also playing this game on the joycons is legit trash but that's not CDPRs fault. Patiently waiting for better 3rd party joycons top show up.

It also does this in a 10 watt envelope. Its a two sides of the coin situation. Given how early days it is, this is basically if Crysis was a launch title on X360 in 2005.

Well, this clearly shows how it's the CPU the limitation for Switch 2 and not the GPU, it can run at around XSS quality levels, even superior in some aspects, yet some stuff have to be set back like crowd density or frame rate even tho the GPU is capable.


Maybe they should have payed DF as well for a proper MKW review, I'm still disappointed by it... The most important game reviewed the in a very poor way compared to Fast Fusion and CP2077

We are in familiar territory then, when it comes to Nintendo these past few generations. Their GPU's are pretty modern, but to preserve power consumption, they really tack into their CPU's.. there isn't much grunt, more like barking.

I get why Ninty does it (Its their philosophy after all) but its frankly a sin for any game heavily on CPU load. Which in the past has made developers simply not port to Nintendo's hardware (Metro, for instance, was on quote saying Wii U CPU was garbage. Borderlands never came to the Wii U, but did show up on Shield Tablet - essentially a proto Switch. Even back in 2014, a Cortex A15 ran rings around Wii U's Espresso CPU, which quite literally was 3 Gamecube processors. Its no wonder Espresso never got marketed anywhere else - Its effectively the same as an Apple G3 machine from 1997, times three.

Compared to the absolute CPU monsters that were PS360, Wii U had to get the edge with its GPU. And some games did show better perf and visuals than PS360 (Trine 2, NFS Most Wanted U) only for a Shield Tablet just 1.5 years later beating that already to the punch in every facet, whether it was power consumption, GPU grunt or CPU grunt.

Simply put, Wii U tech is superduper interesting, but CPU wise it belongs to the PS2/XBOX generation. Its really that crappy.

 

[darrylgorn]

I'm glad that they cut shadows and character density in this version. Those are the two aspects of the game that have little visual influence with a significant performance improvement.

 

[DirtInUrEye]

God when will this game stop being analysed.