The Nintendo Switch 2’s launch is imminent, and with it, free Switch 2 updates for more than ten current video games from the unique Switch’s library. A pair of these are Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, that are fairly extensively criticized for their comparatively poor efficiency on the Switch. I received to play the newly up to date Pokémon Scarlet on the Nintendo Switch 2 for thirty minutes, and the Switch 2 upgrades are extremely clear.
The official Nintendo website says the free Switch 2 updates for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet embrace:
- “Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.”
- “Frame rate: Improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2.”
The imprecise description undoubtedly put me off at first, however now I do know Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet on the Nintendo Switch 2 run in 4K at 60FPS. Or, no less than, these are the settings–I didn’t have the gear to measure if that 60FPS is certainly regular–however by the bare eye, I can nonetheless acknowledge it as markedly improved. As quickly as I loaded into the game, on a large 4K TV, I used to be surprised by how good the whole lot regarded. No jagged pixelated edges on blades of grass, and even Pokémon, right here.
The Switch 2 updates have additionally elevated the quantity of Pokémon that may seem on display, and from a additional distance. For occasion, flying over Casseroya Lake on the Switch 2 was a drastically totally different expertise in comparison with on the Switch: I noticed quite a few Pokémon swim alongside the floor from a distance and didn’t expertise any noticeable stuttering as soon as I started to swim. Even when it started to rain, Pokémon Scarlet on the Switch 2 nonetheless didn’t battle even a little. In truth, it continued enjoying like regular, as if the climate results had been meant to simply… work.
The framerate enhancements are particularly instantly apparent when viewing faraway transferring objects, just like the windmills by West Province (Area One) – Central, or distant Pokémon and people. I additionally didn’t expertise stalling or glitches when in a raid battle or when Terastalizing. I didn’t get to play online or co-op, nonetheless, so we’ve but to see if the updates improved these points (that desperately need it.)
Visuals are subjective, so there’s solely a lot I can say to emphasise that the distinction is definitely noticeable, however you may watch the comparability video on this web page. I may also report on some favorable loading time comparisons that may allow you to decide for your self.
These approximate comparisons are between Pokémon Violet working on a V2 Switch (the Monster Hunter Rise particular version, particularly) in 1080p, and Pokémon Scarlet working on a model new Nintendo Switch 2 in 4K.
Loading from title display:
- Switch: 19 seconds
- Switch 2: 5 seconds
Fast journey from North Province (Area One) to Casseroya Lake:
- Switch: 9 seconds
- Switch 2: 4 seconds
Fast journey from Blueberry Academy to Paldea:
- Switch: 17 seconds
- Switch 2: 5 seconds
Besides the quick journey loading time enhancements, the menus are additionally so a lot snappier. Models in menus load in just about instantly, a stark distinction to the agonizing seconds you’d have to attend on the unique Switch between making an attempt on garments within the menu; or hairstyles or equipment in shops.
To be utterly sincere, the efficiency of these video games didn’t stop me from having fun with them the primary time round. I nonetheless appreciated the brand new open-world format, more fleshed-out characters, and never-before-seen new Pokémon pals, lag be damned. I definitely was annoyed enough that I prevented switching out Pokémon as a result of of how long it took, sure, however general, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet had been enjoyable for me regardless. However, now that I’ve performed it on the Switch 2, the efficiency and visible points of the unique are definitely much less ignorable, and fortunately I by no means need to play it on an authentic Switch again.
To neatly sum it up, Rebekah Valentine in IGN’s original Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet review mentioned: “Let’s talk about the Donphan in the room here: these games run like garbage.”
(*2*)
This, I’m relieved to say, isn’t the case on the Switch 2. Sure, they’re nonetheless not excellent–I did expertise one stutter when dashing on Koraidon, and there are nonetheless texture points and texture pop-ins–however the visuals and efficiency are removed from rubbish. They’re so a lot better, in reality, that I’m tempted to say the free Switch 2 updates are nearer to a gentle remaster than simply an optimization – though it actually ought to’ve simply run higher to start with. I’m that impressed, however to be truthful, I did go in with considerably low expectations–how a lot better may a easy replace make a game that ran with so many points in 1080p on the unique Switch?
Just how nicely Scarlet runs on the Switch 2 makes me query if this iteration of Pokémon was deliberate for the Switch 2 all alongside. The replace does this a lot and is free? Suspicious.
Conspiracy theories apart, if the efficiency of Scarlet and Violet on the unique Switch turned you off from enjoying, it’s completely price giving them one other shot on the Switch 2. I’m definitely going to go back and play more of the Indigo Disk DLC with these updates intact. These video games are proper at home on the Switch 2 and really feel like they need to have been right here all alongside, and this offers me a lot hope for the efficiency of the Switch 2 model of Pokémon Legends: Z-A later this yr.
These had been my first impressions from simply thirty minutes of hands-on play, so there may definitely be points I missed or that reveal themselves later, however I encountered considerably much less points in these thirty minutes on the Switch 2 in comparison with the thirty minutes on the unique Switch I spent capturing the comparability footage. You’ll have the ability to see the variations between the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet Switch variations for your self as soon as the free updates are out on June 5, alongside the launch of the Switch 2. Simply join your Switch 2 to the web and carry out a system replace to obtain free updates.
We’ll additionally start a mini review replace for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on the Switch 2, so look out for that analysis after enjoying for longer within the close to future!
If you do determine to leap into Paldea on the Switch 2, don’t miss our thorough Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet Guide, with a helpful Scarlet and Violet golden-path walkthrough, a full Scarlet and Violet Pokédex, and more.
Casey DeFreitas is a deputy editor on the guides workforce at IGN who has at all times beloved Pokémon. Catch her on socials @ShinyCaseyD