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It's surprising, but we're nearly at the Nintendo Switch 2's six-month anniversary. Once Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on Dec. 4, we can provide the system a fairly thorough evaluation based on its impressive roster of exclusive initial releases. Major titles like the new Donkey Kong game will lead that analysis, however it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and now the Hyrule Warriors sequel, that have helped the new console conquer a critical examination in its opening six months: the hardware evaluation.

Confronting Hardware Issues

Before Nintendo formally revealed the Switch 2, the biggest concern from gamers regarding the rumored system was regarding performance. Regarding components, Nintendo trailed Sony and Microsoft over the last few console generations. This situation was evident in the original Switch's later life. The hope was that a new model would deliver consistent frame rates, improved visuals, and modern capabilities like 4K. Those are the features included when the device was debuted this summer. That's what its hardware specifications promised, anyway. To truly know if the new console is an enhancement, we required examples of important releases running on it. We've finally gotten that in recent days, and the outlook is positive.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A as an Initial Examination

The first significant examination came with the October release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Pokémon series had notable performance issues on the first Switch, with games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet releasing in highly problematic conditions. Nintendo's hardware didn't bear all the responsibility for those problems; the game engine running the Pokémon titles was outdated and strained much further than it could go in the transition to larger environments. The new game would be more of a test for its developer than anything, but we could still learn to analyze from the visual presentation and its operation on the upgraded hardware.

While the game's basic graphics has initiated conversations about the studio's prowess, there's no denying that the latest installment is not at all like the tech disaster of its preceding game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It performs at a smooth 60 frames on the upgraded system, but the original console tops out at 30 frames per second. Objects still appear suddenly, and you may notice various fuzzy textures if you zoom in, but you won't experience anything like the situation in Arceus where you initially fly and observe the complete landscape turn into a rough, low-poly terrain. That qualifies to give the system a decent grade, but with caveats given that the studio has its own problems that worsen limited hardware.

Age of Imprisonment as a More Demanding Hardware Challenge

Currently available is a more compelling tech test, however, because of Age of Imprisonment, out Nov. 6. The latest Musou title pushes the Switch 2 due to its hack-and-slash gameplay, which has gamers battling a literal army of monsters continuously. The series' previous game, Age of Calamity, performed poorly on the first Switch as the system couldn't handle with its quick combat and sheer amount of activity. It regularly decreased under the intended 30 frames and produced the feeling that you were overwhelming the system when fighting intensely.

Fortunately is that it likewise clears the tech test. Having tested the title extensively in recent weeks, completing all missions available. Throughout this testing, I've found that it's been able to deliver a smoother performance versus its earlier title, reaching its 60 frames target with better regularity. Performance can dip in the most heated of battles, but I've yet to hit any time when it becomes a choppy presentation as the framerate chugs. Part of that might be due to the fact that its short levels are careful not to put overwhelming hordes on the display simultaneously.

Significant Trade-offs and General Verdict

There are still foreseeable trade-offs. Primarily, splitscreen co-op experiences a significant drop closer to the 30 fps range. It's also the premier exclusive release where I've really noticed a significant contrast between previous OLED screens and the current LCD panel, with particularly during cinematics looking faded.

But for the most part, the new game is a complete change compared to its predecessor, like Z-A is to the earlier Pokémon title. Should you require evidence that the Switch 2 is delivering on its performance claims, despite some limitations present, both games provide a clear example of the way the new console is significantly improving titles that performed poorly on old hardware.