Waiting is never a fun thing in and of itself. It’s especially hard when it comes to cool-looking games releasing on other platforms that you may or may not own. Now, there are obvious reasons why people who play exclusively on Nintendo hardware had to wait to play Cyberpunk 2077. Back in 2020 when the game debuted, the Switch 2 was but a sparkle in Nintendo engineers’ imaginations. The original Switch may have played host to a somewhat miraculous port of The Witcher 3, but there was no reasonable way to bring even a moderately acceptable version of Cyberpunk 2077 to that hardware. No, Cyberpunk 2077 would have to wait until the Nintendo Switch 2 arrived, regardless of anyone’s wishes.
In this case, the wait was not only worth it but also advantageous to a degree. The Switch 2 is considerably more powerful than its predecessor, but I think it’s fair to say that it’s no PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. In addition to those more powerful consoles, Cyberpunk 2077 released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but those versions launched in an infamously poor state. A couple years’ worth of patches improved things, but they’re still not a great way to play the game. Even the better versions of Cyberpunk 2077 had their fair share of bugs in those early days, though CD Projekt has long since plugged most of those holes.
Which is the point I’m getting at, I suppose. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 benefits considerably from the years that have passed since then. Several years of patches, a full (and excellent) expansion included at no additional cost, and, perhaps most importantly, a port that did not have to be juggled alongside the release of several other versions of the game. This version clearly had a lot of care put into it, specifically tuning it to shine the brightest it possibly can on this hardware. As it turns out, that hardware can make it shine very brightly indeed. As cool as the Switch version of The Witcher 3 was, the Switch 2 port of Cyberpunk 2077 makes it look like small potatoes.
Of course, that’s not to say that this is the best way to play the game. If you have those more powerful consoles or a good PC, you’ll likely get better performance there. You have to settle for a lower framerate (targeting 40 in Performance mode and 30 in Quality mode) and a more modest resolution (1080p docked regardless of mode, and 720p/1080p handheld in Performance/Quality mode, respectively). Some visual details have been lost as well, with less dense crowds and some effects missing in places. Even with those sacrifices, Cyberpunk 2077 is a stunner on the Switch 2. It’s especially impressive in handheld mode, where the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) helps everything appear smoother. This is one of the best-looking Switch 2 games so far, and it’s likely to remain that way for a long time to come.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game also has support for various motion control features and the Joy-Con 2 Mouse mode. The latter works very well, while the former is a bit more of a mixed affair. It’s all optional either way, though. Can’t complain about more options, right? Right. I think this is one of those winning cases where a multiplatform release is both good as a game on Nintendo’s console and as a way to play the game in general. If you’re somehow only able to play Cyberpunk 2077 via this Switch 2 version, I don’t think you’re missing out. It’s not just good enough, but actually good. But hey, if you like to play on fancier versions when you’re not on the go, you’ll be happy to hear that the Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 has cross-save support.
Lots of words about the port, but how about the game itself? You probably don’t need me to tell you this at this point, but Cyberpunk 2077 is an excellent RPG experience. It’s a thrilling story set in the stunningly realized Night City, a cyberpunk dystopia that oozes atmosphere from every inch of its massive area. You play as a two-bit mercenary named V who gets wrapped up in some serious business when a biochip implant delivers the consciousness of a dangerous fellow named Johnny Silverhand into their skull. It might sound nice having Keanu with you at all times, but the side effects in this case are fatal for our protagonist. You’ll have to figure out how to get him out of there, all while dodging the forces of the mega-corporation that runs Night City. Why are they even after you, anyway?
It’s a great story, and one that you have a great deal of agency in how it unfolds. Night City is as much of a star as Keanu is, too. There are tons of places to visit and see, and you can get involved in tons of side-quests. Some of those are as good as the main storyline itself. You’ve also got the Phantom Liberty expansion packed in here, taking you to a new district on a very important mission. It introduces a number of new mechanics and is naturally filled with its own side content to engage with. Putting the base game and the expansion together, you’ve got dozens upon dozens of hours of things to do and see in this game.
The gameplay is really great, too. There are multiple ways to approach any given situation, depending on your preference. Want to go in guns blazing? Sure, that can work. Maybe you want to get up close and personal? That’s a valid option. Sneaking around is also a good option, whether via old-fashioned methods or by making use of hacks to support your stealth. If you build your character right, you can even talk your way out of a lot of problems. You’ll also do a fair bit of driving in the game, and that all works quite well, too. The vehicular combat can be a little chaotic, but that kind of thing usually is. It’s still fun.
Cyberpunk 2077 has aged incredibly well thanks to a whole lot of improvements over the years and the addition of an excellent expansion. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, makes a few graphical sacrifices to get things running, but not as many as you might expect. It’s a fine way to play this outstanding RPG if you haven’t before, and even those with prior experience might appreciate it as a handheld option with cross-save compatibility. It’s an incredible port of a terrific game, and a worthy showpiece for the console.
Version Tested: Nintendo Switch 2
Review Copy Provided by CD Projekt
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