The fact thatCD Projekt Redwill be releasingCyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Editionas a launch title for the Switch 2 is exciting news, but it isn’t the game I would like to see most from the company. The Switch 2’s upcoming release is notable for the number of third-party titles already associated with it, especially games that have already built up their own strong reputations through previous releases. It is immediately evident that the console is able to support far bigger games than its predecessor is, and to me this poses a perfect opportunity for one CDPR game.
Thegames coming to Switch 2cover a wide variety of genres, offering something for everybody. Naturally, the fact that many already ownCyberpunk 2077on a different platform will likely affect sales. But even so, its overall reach and accessibility will still be much higher than before, which will be compounded by the fact that the post-launchupdates toCyberpunk 2077have only made it better. From that perspective, the new port can only really be a positive for the game, something that will hopefully prompt CDPR to bring another one of its titles to the console.
Cyberpunk 2077 Will Have Some Compromises On Switch 2
The New Port Will Not Be As Impressive As Other Versions Of The game
It is worth noting thattheSwitch 2 version ofCyberpunk 2077will reportedly not be the game at its best. Compared to previous releases, there will be a notable decrease in graphics quality, a natural consequence of the Switch 2 being less powerful than its contemporaries. Of course, the exact impact that this will have on the game’s actual appeal is difficult to quantify; while some may be turned away by this fact, others will undoubtedly be more forgiving of the hardware’s limitations whenCyberpunk 2077is such a cool game regardless.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel May Already Be Repeating The Game’s Biggest Mistake
Project Orion is still far from any form of public announcement, but an early posting is causing concern given the similarities to its predecessor.
Personally, I am not enthusiastic about buying a second copy ofCyberpunk 2077for the Switch 2, although I can understand the appeal of the port. But in any case, the fact that Switch 2 is capable of supportingCyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Editionis proof of how much more powerful it is than its predecessor. Much more intensive games will be a part of its catalog than the original Switch’s own, which can only be a positive, and this is something that I hope CDPR itself will take advantage of.
The Witcher 3 Could Benefit From A Switch 2 Edition Upgrade
A New Port Would Outdo The Witcher 3 On Nintendo Switch
Althoughthe wait forThe Witcher 4continues,CDPR could still have a very popular release for the franchise by portingThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntto Switch 2. Much likeCyberpunk 2077’s Switch 2 version,The Witcher 3experienced some notable downgrades to allow the Switch to play it back in 2019. However, with the many technical upgrades of the Switch 2 now made public, it is clear that the new console would be able to present a much better version of the title, allowing users to experience the beauty it is known for on other platforms.
There is already a strong lineup of Switch 2 Edition games, with the most prominent so far beingThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom. Both enjoy strong improvements, and as such,The Witcher 3would be ideal for a future Switch 2 Edition game release. LikeThe Witcher 4can learn fromCyberpunk 2077and its own successes and failings,The Witcher 3would also benefit from following in the latter’s footsteps, and could even gain some new features in the process.
Switch 2 Can Fix The Original Switch’s Limited Ports
The Console’s Improvements Mean It Can Run Its Predecessor’s Games Better
It should also be noted that the potential of upgraded ports is not limited toThe Witcher 3.Any game that struggles to perform on the Switch will naturally find the Switch 2 far more accommodating, whether or not it runs perfectly on the new hardware. Popular titles likeIt Takes TwoandHogwarts Legacyon Switchhave frequently seen their graphics become a casualty of the Switch’s limitations, among other issues but its successor could vastly improve this.
The Witcher 3 arguably looks better in handheld mode due to its graphics issues, but a Switch 2 Edition could finally change this and make it an impressive experience to play on a television screen as well.
Of course, as evidenced byCyberpunk 2077,the most intensive of these games will likely still feel lacking on the Switch 2 in comparison to other platforms, but Nintendo Switch 2 Editions would still do much to close the gap in performance. I would be very happy to see many more games, not justThe Witcher 3, come to enjoy the benefits of the Switch 2. The Switch’s performance issues could be a major detractor to enjoying some games, and it would be good to see these issues finally being overcome.
WhileCyberpunk 2077coming to Switch 2 will effectively be a downgrade in comparison to its previous releases,The Witcher 3doing the same would be an upgrade given the problems faced by its existing Switch port. Exploring locations like Novigrad as they were meant to be seen would be a powerful experience for the console, and one I would love to see. AlthoughCD Projekt Reddoes have new projects to focus on, I hope that the company does take the time to make this additional port a reality.
