Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 Review

Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

It’s strange to think that my very first proper trip to Night City would be on a Nintendo handheld. Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most ambitious open-world RPGs ever made. It’s a sprawling, high-tech city loaded with choices, danger, and intrigue… and here it is, running on the Switch 2. It’s a port many thought impossible, even when the Switch 2 was first revealed, few imagined such a demanding game of such scope would ever run well on Nintendo’s hybrid console, but credit to CD Projekt Red as they’ve spent years reshaping Cyberpunk 2077 into something far more stable and impressive than the version that famously stumbled at launch. Now, this sprawling RPG promises a chance to take Night City wherever you go. What’s it Like? Distribute your stat points, upgrade your Cyberware, and we’ve got a city to burn as we review Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2.

We’ve Got A City To Burn

Cyberpunk 2077 is a slow burn, taking its time to set up both character relationships and the overall story of the game. The opening hours ease you into the underbelly of Night City, laying the groundwork for what quickly becomes a twisting, emotional ride. I started as a Nomad, beginning out in the dusty outskirts before being drawn into the chaotic sprawl of the city itself. It wasn’t long before my nomadic heritage played a bigger role than I expected, unlocking unique dialogue options and choices in the later acts, some of which even shaped personal relationships and romance paths I didn’t see coming. What surprised me most was how well the game balances its grand, cinematic story moments with bite-sized missions that fit portable play. Whether you’re chasing the main story down or exploring Night City and the opportunities… or dangers she offers, most missions wrap up neatly within 45 minutes to an hour, splitting the adventure into digestible chunks perfect for short sessions or long hauls. As you start to settle into the game, a pivotal moment happens in the early story I won’t spoil here, where the tension sparks up, the stakes explode, and the game sinks its hooks in for good. From that point on, Cyberpunk 2077 keeps you guessing with clever twists, outstanding set pieces, and plenty of jaw-dropping surprises that left me gasping and scrambling to see what happened next. The story and characters are incredibly well written, and the stakes, threats, and heavy themes all bring gravity to the situation. There are some thematic moments that are uncomfortable and shocking, but it’s handled with a certain respect designed to make the player feel ill at ease. This is definitely not a game for a younger audience.

Cyberpunk 2077 offers a flexible, satisfying gameplay experience that lets you shape your approach however you like. Combat starts simple, with reliable shooting and basic gear, but as you level up and unlock more abilities, guns can become just one tool in a far bigger arsenal. Hacking the environment or even enemies themselves becomes just as viable as pulling a trigger, letting you disrupt cameras, fry circuits, or cause explosions without ever firing a shot. Melee combat surprised me the most as there’s a subtle “soft lock” system, similar to what you’d find in Call of Duty’s melee attacks, that makes swinging a blade or slashing with a knife fast and visceral, making it an option that feels every bit as useful as firearms in the right build.

Driving took a little getting used to. It feels a bit looser compared to something like GTA, but once I found my rhythm, cruising through Night City became second nature. Motorcycles, in particular, are a joy to weave between traffic on, and vehicle combat surprised me with thoughtful lock-on systems that help manage shooting while driving without making things feel too automatic or dumbed down. The world itself rewards patience. There’s plenty to uncover for the curious player who wants to hunt bounties, explore alleyways, and dig through the city’s nooks and crannies with hidden gear and crafting materials tucked everywhere. But if you just want to blast through the story and big set pieces, you won’t miss out either, as main missions offer plenty of good gear and side opportunities along the way. The game also has puzzler-type elements called “Brain Dances,” which are short detective-style segments where you scrub through memories and scan clues, a little like Arkham’s detective mode. These break up the action nicely without dragging on and never overstay their welcome before getting you back into the action. The core standout of Cyberpunk is just how many ways you can approach your missions. On my first run, I focused on Intelligence and Technical Ability, great for hacking and gadgets, but not ideal for stealth. That said, failure didn’t lock me out of missions because if I blew a stealth segment, I could fight my way out instead, which I loved. It kept the action flowing without punishing experimentation. Next time, I’m thinking of trying a more stealth-focused build, which is a testament to the game’s replay value.

Night City builds up its atmosphere as a dark, brooding metropolis where the future collides with the familiar. It’s an incredible-looking game here, drenched in neon glow and rain-slick reflections that make every street corner feel alive. The way CD Projekt Red has balanced lighting, shadows, and environmental effects sets the mood perfectly, whether you’re drinking at seedy bars or speeding down corporate-lined highways. What surprised me most was just how stunning the world looks from top to bottom. Building interiors are packed with character, alleyways are dense with detail, and rain-slick roads shimmer under city lights. The lighting work deserves special mention, it doesn’t just brighten the world, it shapes it by casting eerie glows and shadows that change the feel of each district as you explore. Even the busiest parts of the city feel full and alive as crowds gather in marketplaces, food stalls line the streets, and apartment blocks are filled with all manner of denizens of Night City. It sells the illusion of a living, breathing world, something that many thought impossible on a portable system. Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is a technical achievement and easily one of the best-looking games on the platform to date.

So here’s the big question everyone’s asking: How well does Cyberpunk 2077 actually run on Switch 2? For the most part… surprisingly well. In docked mode, the game maintains its target of 30 frames per second about 85% of the time. Sure, there are some dips, mostly when you’re flying through the city at high speeds, and especially in areas like Dogtown where the framerate can stutter. From what I’ve gathered, Dogtown is system-heavy even on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, so seeing performance tension there on Switch 2 isn’t shocking. Here’s what mattered to me… Did these dips break the experience? No. Did they ruin combat or any major story moments? Honestly, no. Not once did I feel the performance get in the way of enjoying the world, the action, or the narrative of Cyberpunk 2077. This isn’t like some of the late-generation ports we saw on the original Switch, where framerate drops were constant and distracting. Cyberpunk 2077 looks outstanding here, far beyond what I expected the Switch 2 was capable of, and those minor hiccups didn’t take anything away from the fun.

In handheld mode, battery life is something to plan around. I got about two and a half hours before hitting the 15% battery warning, which is not a surprise given how demanding this game is, but a reminder that Switch 2’s battery still has its limits. Don’t expect to settle in for a 4-5 hour play session without plugging in. Interestingly, docked mode on my setup only offered a “Quality” mode, while players with 120Hz-capable TVs will get access to a Performance option. Handheld mode, however, gives you both choices and looks fantastic either way. DLSS scaling is noticeable, but it plays a huge role in helping the game stay sharp and detailed even on the smaller screen. I’ve played every Switch 2 launch title, and this is hands down the best-looking game on the system so far. Night City is simply breathtaking, whether you’re docked or on the go.

At $120 AUD, Cyberpunk justifies the new video games’ pricing conventions by offering a complete package. The full game, including the massive Phantom Liberty expansion, is packed onto the retail cartridge. No downloads, no online connection required, everything you need is right there, ready to play out of the box. In a time where industry divisiveness is frustrating players more than ever, this is a complete offering. There’s incredible value here in a branching, replayable story that could last 30 to 40 hours on the main path alone, plus another 100 hours or more for those who want to explore Night City’s every alley, side job, and secret. Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to dive back in, there’s more than enough here to justify the price. For my Chooms after accessibility options, I’m pleased to report Cyberpunk 2077 has a myriad of options available. There’s full colorblind support, adjustable difficulty levels, and multiple aim assist settings to make gunplay smoother for all types of players. You can also disable hacking time limits if you prefer a more relaxed pace when cracking into terminals or enemies. The HUD is highly customizable, too, by letting you adjust what information appears on-screen. There’s a myriad of console-exclusive control modes that add to accessibility, including gyro aiming for precision shots, Joy-Con mouse mode for smoother menu navigation, and touchscreen functionality in handheld mode for quick hacking and inventory management. A fun addition is the new “Motion Patterns” feature, which feels like a throwback to the Wii era by letting you perform certain moves with a simple Joy-Con wiggle, adding a touch of physicality to the experience. CD Projekt Red should be applauded for the thought that has gone into making Cyberpunk 2077 accessible for a much wider range of players, and I’m so pleased to see the accessibility trend continuing from recent reviews.

Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is the game that defines what this hardware is capable of. This is the definitive portable version of CD Projekt Red’s epic RPG, offering the full Night City experience, and it sets a new bar for what we should expect from major third-party releases on the platform. For anyone who enjoys action RPGs or unforgettable, twisting narratives, this is an essential purchase. Whether docked on a big screen or played on the go, Night City looks stunning, plays smoothly, and offers an experience that’s dangerously easy to lose hours in. Yes, there are minor performance hiccups, but they barely register in the face of the game’s scope, depth, and sheer playability. Unlike its chaotic setting in Night City, Cyberpunk 2077 gives us a clear look into the future of the Nintendo Switch 2, and that future looks very bright indeed.

So what’s it like? Cyberpunk 2077 is like The Witcher meets The Matrix.

Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch is a What’s it Like Certified Exceptional game.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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