Cyberpunk 2077 Review (Switch 2) – Switchblade Runner

There was a time when the idea of Cyberpunk 2077 running on a Nintendo handheld seemed laughable. Yet, against all odds, CD Projekt RED and their witchcraft have pulled off what many assumed was impossible. The Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 is buttery smooth, which is an astonishing achievement. But as with any magic trick, once you look closely, the seams start to show.

Let’s begin with the positives. The fact that Cyberpunk runs at all on Switch 2 is nothing short of a technical marvel. The game loads relatively quickly, supports full handheld play, and for the most part, it looks orgasmic. Facial animations, lighting, and texture work hold up surprisingly well on the 8-inch OLED screen. The city’s neon glow is punchy and atmospheric, especially in low-light scenes and during story-driven missions. Night City, at least in snapshots, feels alive.

But look a little closer and the visual compromises become clear. Although the draw distance is impressive, the background detail begins to melt into a muddy collection of details and shapes. Pop-in is kept to a minimum, but you’ll often spot buildings or vehicles spawning in just ahead of you. NPC density has been drastically reduced, and the usually chaotic streets of Night City feel oddly barren. There are stretches where you won’t see a single car or pedestrian. The illusion holds in small doses, but it’s not the fully immersive experience intended.

Although I did find driving around Night City a much easier experience, let’s face it, no matter what system you play on, driving sucks in Cyberpunk 2077. So with the reduced NPC activity accidentally running people over and alerting the cops was reduced, which made driving all the better for it. 

The framerate hovers around 30fps but fluctuates in busy areas. Crowded markets, gunfights, or fast driving sequences can push the system to its limits, causing noticeable stutters. Docked mode improves things slightly, but it’s still not rock solid.

I can forgive all these graphical shortcomings considering it’s on a machine that has no right to play a game like this. However, where the Switch 2 version really stumbles is in how it feels to play and much of that comes down to the poor design of the Switch 2 itself. The analog sticks are improved over the original Joy-Cons, but they still lack the precision needed for fast-paced shooting. Lining up headshots or tracking enemies never quite feels right or smooth. Yes, there is the mouse control option, and there is a gyroscopic option too. Credit to CDPR for making their game use all the Switch 2’s bells and whistles, but the controller layout just makes things feel unintuitive.  In the interest of transparency, I don’t have the Pro Controller, but I can imagine it making things a whole lot better. 

Anyway, back to the base Switch 2. The button layout introduces more problems. Cyberpunk 2077 is menu-heavy, with constant weapon swaps, scans, hacking prompts, and dialogue decisions. On the Switch 2, these actions are mapped awkwardly, forcing your hands into uncomfortable positions just to access basic features. Even with the official grip controller attached in docked mode, things don’t improve much. In fact, there’s a slight input lag when using the grip on the big screen, just enough to throw off your timing during tense shootouts. It’s not game-breaking, but it adds a layer of sluggishness that makes precision feel out of reach.

And it doesn’t stop there – the physical layout of the L + R and trigger buttons in handheld mode feels cramped. They all sit too close together, and it’s far too easy to accidentally hit both, especially in the heat of combat. More than once, you’ll find yourself lobbing a grenade when all you meant to do was aim down sights. Over longer sessions, the combination of awkward mapping, cramped positioning, and the sluggishness in docked mode can make your hands feel genuinely fatigued.

That said, the Switch 2 isn’t without strengths. The OLED display really elevates the visuals, especially in dark scenes. The haptic feedback, more subtle than on a DualSense, adds texture to certain actions, like the rumble of a motorbike or the reload of a weapon. Battery life is surprisingly solid, stretching to just over 2 hours in handheld mode if you’re conservative with brightness and performance settings. But I’m certain your hands will give out before the battery does. 

Above all else, there’s something undeniably magic about playing a game this high-end, natively on a handheld device. Seeing Night City in motion while sitting on the sofa, on a train, or in bed feels like a glimpse of the future – a fitting sensation given the game’s own obsession with technology, augmentation, and digital freedom. It doesn’t always run perfectly, but it’s an experience that often feels futuristic in the best way.

I can’t put into words really how CDPR have managed to get this game running as good as it does on what is essentially a PS4 (and we all know how that version went) the fact that they have also included Liberty City continually drops my jaw. 

Still, all these bonuses aren’t quite enough to smooth over the mechanical awkwardness of playing Cyberpunk 2077 on this device. This is a game that thrives on responsiveness and fast action, and while the Switch 2 brings it to life in ways that defy expectations, it’s a flawed and often frustrating way to explore Night City.

In short, Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is a technical triumph but a tactile compromise. For short bursts and story-focused missions, it’s absolutely playable and often impressive. But for extended combat, driving, or fast decision-making, you’ll find yourself wrestling with the hardware as much as the gangs of Night City. 

CDPR should be commended on this technical triumph and it fills me with giddy hope for what games we can expect to see coming to Switch 2 – GTA Online anyone? It’s a shame that it’s not the technical prowess of the Switch 2 that lets this game down, more the design of the console itself, which equally fills me with dread for games that may be ported to Switch 2. 

If this is your first and only taste of Night City then it’s absolutely worth every penny. But if you’ve played on PC or PS5 then thanks to the Switch’s design flaws, this will be a disappointing trip to Night City. A great port on paper, but one best appreciated in small doses.

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition is out now on Switch 2.

Developers: CD Projekt Red

Publisher: CD Projekt Red/Namco Bandai

Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we purchased a copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here.

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