Goat Simulator 3 Switch 2 Upgrade – A Massive Improvement?
I remember purchasing Goat Simulator on the original Switch and thinking it was going to be a lot of fun, but it ended up being an awful port, half-baked, unpolished, and even broken on launch. I was so bitterly disappointed that after my review went live, the game was deleted and never played again. Now, the Switch 2 upgrade is here. Against my better judgment, I purchased it to see how things have changed, and from a visual standpoint, the difference is huge. Much like my WWE video, this is not a full review. It is a side-by-side comparison of Goat Simulator 3 on Switch 1 and Switch 2 to showcase just how big this upgrade really is.
Before we begin, if you’ve stumbled on this article wondering how to upgrade to the Switch 2 version, there isn’t an upgrade pack. Goat Simulator 3 on Switch 2 acts as a standalone game. If you own the original, you will automatically get a 70% discount when selecting it on the eShop. To be honest, I’m really disappointed that we have to pay for the upgrade. I’m not being an entitled gamer here. It’s just that the Switch 1 version was in such a rough state that making the upgrade free would have been a nice gesture of goodwill. I’ll cover this more in the full review.
Starting with a side-by-side of the intro, it’s instantly clear just how much of a visual upgrade this is. On Switch 1, the ground clutter is almost non-existent, while the Switch 2 version is filled out everywhere. The texture detail in the wood of the wagon is significantly sharper, and the tree foliage is much more detailed as well. When we split the image for a wider view, we can see that the object-level detail load-in is increased on Switch 2, although it still suffers from some horrendous pop-in at times. The resolution on Switch 2 is noticeably higher, delivering a much sharper image. Shadows and details on the trees are also greatly improved. It really is a huge step up from the Switch 1 version.
As the farmer approaches the back of the cart, a lot of world detail and textures come together to showcase this massive improvement.
Here at the store, the side-by-side comparison highlights the increased texture detail in the store signs and windows. Running down the street from here, we can see the aggressive geometry and ground clutter load-in on Switch 1, which isn’t very noticeable on Switch 2.
Heading into the woods, we really see the strength of the upgraded lighting and ground textures, along with additional ground clutter. The lighting really pops, and the added shadow detail makes the game visually striking… something I never thought I would say about a game called Goat Simulator 3. Finally, after being flung through the air and landing at the base of a tree, we see the best example of texture quality. On Switch 1, the trees are almost flat brown, whereas on Switch 2, they have an incredible amount of detail.
Exiting the water at the bottom of the dam and running through the city, the textures and bump mapping on the caravan make the visuals really pop, with additional effects looking much better overall on Switch 2.
The Switch 1 version of Goat Simulator 3 ran capped at 30 FPS and mostly maintained it thanks to its aggressive level of detail pop-in. The Switch 2 version runs uncapped and hovers mostly around 45 FPS, with some fluctuation in frame response times. The frametime doesn’t really impact gameplay, and it stays close to that 45 FPS mark, delivering a noticeably smoother experience overall.
I’m still really on the fence about Goat Simulator 3, but I have a rule that every review has to be approached fresh. That means I’ll be reviewing the Switch 2 version from start to finish to see how it holds up.
That said, it’s an impressive visual update. If you enjoyed the Switch 1 version despite its problems, it’s probably a safe bet you’ll like the Switch 2 version.
If you’re on the fence like me, stay tuned. I’ll have a full review, including split-screen multiplayer tests, coming out this weekend.
