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It's hard to believe, but we're approaching the Nintendo Switch 2's half-year mark. Once Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on Dec. 4, it will be possible to deliver the console a detailed evaluation based on its solid selection of exclusive early titles. Blockbuster games like Donkey Kong Bananza will dominate that review, but it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and currently Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, that have allowed the new console conquer a key challenge in its opening six months: the tech exam.

Addressing Power Concerns

Before Nintendo officially announced the successor system, the biggest concern from players regarding the hypothetical device was concerning hardware. When it comes to technology, Nintendo trailed PlayStation and Xbox over the last few console generations. That reality was evident in the end of the Switch era. The expectation was that a successor would deliver more stable framerates, improved visuals, and standard options like ultra-high definition. That's precisely what arrived when the device was launched in June. That's what its specs indicated, at least. To truly know if the upgraded system is an upgrade, it was necessary to observe some key games running on it. We now have that evidence over the last two weeks, and the outlook is positive.

Legends: Z-A as an First Examination

The system's initial big challenge was the October release of the new Pokémon game. The Pokémon series had well-known technical problems on the initial console, with titles such as the Scarlet and Violet games launching in highly problematic conditions. The system didn't bear all the responsibility for that; the game engine powering the Pokémon titles was old and being pushed much further than it could go in the transition to larger environments. This installment would be more challenging for its developer than anything, but we could still learn to observe from the game's visual clarity and its operation on the upgraded hardware.

While the game's restricted visual fidelity has sparked discussions about Game Freak's technical capabilities, it's clear that this Pokémon game is not at all like the performance mess of its preceding game, Arceus. It runs at a smooth 60 frames on Switch 2, while the older hardware maxes out at thirty frames. Some pop-in occurs, and you may notice plenty of blurry assets if you look closely, but you won't experience anything similar to the situation in Arceus where you initially fly and watch the complete landscape turn into a rough, low-poly terrain. That qualifies to grant the new console a decent grade, however with limitations considering that the developer has independent issues that amplify basic technology.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serving as a More Challenging Hardware Challenge

Currently available is a tougher hardware challenge, however, because of the new Hyrule Warriors, out Nov. 6. This Zelda derivative pushes the Switch 2 due to its Musou formula, which has users confronting a massive horde of creatures constantly. The series' previous game, the previous Hyrule Warriors, performed poorly on the initial console as the console couldn't keep up with its rapid gameplay and sheer amount of activity. It frequently dropped below the desired frame rate and gave the impression that you were pushing too hard when being too aggressive.

Fortunately is that it too succeeds the performance examination. I've been putting the game through its paces in recent weeks, playing every single mission included. In that time, I've found that it manages to provide a consistent frame rate compared to its predecessor, actually hitting its 60 fps mark with more consistency. It sometimes drops in the most heated of battles, but I've yet to hit any moment where the game turns into a slideshow as the performance struggles. Part of that might be due to the reality that its bite-sized missions are structured to prevent overwhelming hordes on the display simultaneously.

Important Trade-offs and Final Assessment

Remaining are expected limitations. Primarily, splitscreen co-op has a substantial reduction around 30 frames. Moreover the initial Nintendo-developed title where it's apparent a significant contrast between older OLED technology and the current LCD panel, with particularly during cinematics having a washed out quality.

Overall though, Age of Imprisonment is a complete change over its predecessor, just as Z-A is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. If you need any sign that the upgraded system is meeting its hardware potential, despite some limitations remaining, both games provide a clear example of how Nintendo's latest is markedly enhancing series that struggled on previous systems.