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It's hard to believe, however we're approaching the new Switch 2 console's six-month anniversary. Once Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on Dec. 4, it will be possible to deliver the system a fairly thorough evaluation based on its impressive roster of exclusive launch window games. Major titles like Donkey Kong Bananza will lead that check-in, however it's Nintendo's two most recent games, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and now Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, that have enabled the successor conquer a key challenge in its first six months: the hardware evaluation.

Addressing Hardware Concerns

Prior to Nintendo formally revealed the successor system, the primary worry from users about the hypothetical device was concerning hardware. In terms of hardware, Nintendo trailed competing consoles over the last few console generations. That reality was evident in the Switch's final years. The hope was that a new model would bring more stable framerates, better graphics, and industry-standard features like 4K resolution. That's precisely what arrived when the system was launched in June. That's what its specs indicated, anyway. To accurately assess if the upgraded system is an upgrade, it was necessary to observe major titles performing on the hardware. We've finally gotten that during the past fortnight, and the outlook is positive.

Legends: Z-A as the Initial Examination

The console's first major test was the October release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon games had notable performance issues on the original Switch, with games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launching in very poor shape. The system wasn't exactly to blame for those problems; the actual engine driving Game Freak's RPGs was aged and being pushed much further than it could go in the transition to larger environments. The new game would be more of a test for its studio than anything else, but there was still a lot to observe from the game's visual clarity and performance on Switch 2.

While the game's basic graphics has sparked discussions about the developer's skills, it's clear that Legends: Z-A is not at all like the technical failure of its earlier title, Arceus. It runs at a stable 60 frames per second on the new console, but the older hardware tops out at thirty frames. Some pop-in occurs, and there are various fuzzy textures if you look closely, but you won't experience anything like the moment in Arceus where you begin airborne travel and watch the entire ground below become a uneven, basic graphics. That qualifies to give the system a decent grade, though with reservations since Game Freak has its own problems that exacerbate restricted capabilities.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment as the More Challenging Performance Examination

We now have a more compelling tech test, though, due to Age of Imprisonment, launched earlier this month. This Zelda derivative challenges the upgraded system due to its Musou formula, which has players facing off against a huge number of enemies at all times. The series' previous game, Age of Calamity, struggled on the first Switch as the console couldn't keep up with its rapid gameplay and density of things happening. It frequently dropped below its target 30fps and produced the feeling that you were pushing too hard when going too hard in battle.

Thankfully is that it also passes the tech test. I've been putting the title extensively in recent weeks, playing every single mission included. Throughout this testing, it's clear that it achieves a consistent frame rate versus its previous game, actually hitting its 60 frames target with better regularity. It can still slip up in the most heated of battles, but I haven't experienced any time when it becomes a choppy presentation as the frame rate suffers. A portion of this may result from the reality that its bite-sized missions are designed to avoid overwhelming hordes on the battlefield concurrently.

Notable Limitations and General Verdict

There are still compromises that you're probably expecting. Primarily, cooperative multiplayer has a noticeable decrease closer to the 30 fps range. Additionally the first Switch 2 first-party game where there's a clear a noticeable variation between previous OLED screens and the updated LCD screen, with cutscenes especially appearing less vibrant.

However generally, Age of Imprisonment is a dramatic improvement over its earlier title, like the Pokémon game is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Should you require evidence that the Switch 2 is delivering on its tech promises, despite some limitations present, both games provide a clear example of how Nintendo's latest is substantially boosting franchises that had issues on older technology.