Much like The Witcher 3 before it, Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo hardware sounded impossible until CD Projekt Red made it happen. Back in 2019, few believed a game that dense, that detailed, could run on the original Switch. Now, with Switch 2, they’ve done it again. I’ve had the chance to watch about 60 minutes of direct gameplay footage from the upcoming Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077, and the results are impressive. This isn’t a scaled-back version of Cyberpunk; it’s the full Night City experience featuring the Phantom Liberty Expansion, running very smoothly and looking far better than most would expect from a handheld. While we’ll have to wait just a few more days for the full release, what I’ve seen already shows just how far the new hardware can go and how smartly CDPR has approached this port.
What We Saw
The gameplay footage I viewed was made up of several spoiler-free slices from across Cyberpunk 2077, spanning early game content right through to late-game encounters. It wasn’t a single uninterrupted session, but more a highlight reel showing a wide range of what Cyberpunk has to offer on Switch 2. We see everything from tight, fast-paced gunfights to slick vehicle chases and high-tension dialogue scenes. Combat looks fluid and furious, with characters ducking between cover and unleashing all kinds of mayhem. Driving sections also looked tight and responsive, running at a framerate you wouldn’t expect from a handheld port. What caught me off guard most, though, was the sheer visual quality. The game looks fantastic as lighting effects pop, explosions and gunfire light up the screen, and the general chaos of combat is all on display with clarity and style. Texture detail is crisp, and the framerate stays smooth throughout. This doesn’t look like a compromised port, more a showcase of exactly what the Switch 2 is capable of, and damn it looks promising.
The sound also holds up. The disjointed, frantic score pulses in the background while every weapon feels like it packs a serious punch. But perhaps the most exciting part is how open-ended the gameplay appears to be. One moment, a character uses a marksman rifle, then in another moment, they switch to melee blades, and there’s even an arm-mounted mortar. The footage shows multiple combat styles in action, showcasing the freedom players will have in how they take on each scenario.
How Well Does It Hold Up?
While I haven’t played Cyberpunk 2077 on other platforms before, what’s clear from this footage is that the Switch 2 version holds nothing back. Visual fidelity, performance, and fluidity all look far better than you’d expect, and there’s no obvious sign of compromise. Crowd density, lighting, and texture detail are all intact. Even more impressive is the intent behind it. According to CD Projekt Red, this version of Cyberpunk 2077 actually outperforms the Steam Deck and is the best way to experience Cyberpunk 2077 on handheld. Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t come across as a scaled-back tech experiment, more a purpose-built version of the game, designed to blow players’ minds on the go. That’s really what makes this port exciting, if it plays as well as it looks, this could be one of the defining launch titles on the Switch 2. Much like Skyrim became a cornerstone release during the original Switch’s early years, Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 could become a system-defining title, an ambitious, technical marvel that stays in players’ rotations long after launch.
Eyes on
Right now, Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 feels like a technical showpiece that turns heads, but once it’s in players’ hands, it could become something more… a meaningful milestone in the system’s early life. It proves that Switch 2 isn’t just for Nintendo’s first-party icons, it’s a platform where massive, ambitious open-world games can thrive. CD Projekt Red jumping in at launch is also a shining example of just how strong third-party support already is for Switch 2. Their decision to develop a full-featured, native version of Cyberpunk 2077 says a lot, and with any luck, maybe it even opens the door for a Switch 2 version of The Witcher 3. For me, this preview raised my expectations. Seeing this footage gave me a surge of excitement not just for Cyberpunk, but for what this hardware might be capable of in Year 1 and beyond, and CDPR’s care shines through in the details. They’re including the entire game on the cartridge, and there’s even a thank-you note in the box. In an industry where full games on physical media are becoming rare, this is a real selling point in this divisive period the industry is going through. CD Projekt Red continue to feel like a studio that genuinely values its audience, and this version of Cyberpunk 2077 reflects that love.
Believe the Hype
Much like The Witcher 3 was an “impossible port” on the original Switch, Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 feels like a bold statement. It looks fantastic, runs smoothly, and somehow captures the chaotic energy of Night City in a handheld-friendly package. This is no stripped-down side version… this is Cyberpunk, as intended, running on Nintendo’s latest hardware. It’s the kind of game that gets people talking and turns sceptics into believers. If the full experience holds up across dozens of hours, it might just become one of the early defining titles for the Switch 2.
Our full review will be out shortly after the Switch 2 launch.
