Skyrim Switch 2 Edition Graphics Comparison
It is no secret that The Elder Scrolls Skyrim is my favourite game of all time. I find it so enthralling that I still lose entire weekends to it, and it played a huge role in my recovery from a stroke. You can probably imagine my excitement when I woke up to the surprise news that Skyrim has received a full Switch 2 update. Every Skyrim fan loves a good comparison, so it is time to see how much of an improvement this new version brings. This article will walk through the upgrades along with a few unexpected downgrades in the Skyrim Switch 2 update.
Framerate
Let us get right into the framerate because I know many players care about this. Skyrim on Switch 2 remains locked at 30 fps. The original Switch version already performed fairly well thanks to strong optimisation, and while I do not want to look a gift horse in the mouth, it feels like a missed opportunity not to see a 45 fps or 60 fps option on the newer hardware. Even so, the framerate in Whiterun holds steady during busy scenes, and the overall visual upgrade in both resolution and detail is immediately noticeable.
The second framerate capture in Riverwood tells a similar story. The counter occasionally touches 30 or 31 as if the game is trying to push higher. Some of these tools can be inaccurate, so this may simply be a reporting issue. I have not noticed any frame pacing problems so far, and gameplay has felt smooth during exploration and combat.
I did, however, notice a Giant being thrown into the air by a dragon on the Switch 1 version while trying to record frames…
Resolution
Skyrim’s most noticeable upgrade in the Switch 2 edition is the improved resolution, which incorporates DLSS technology to upscale and smooth the visuals. I tested the game on my 4K TV, and it looks absolutely stunning. As seen in this side-by-side footage, the world renders far more smoothly, giving even familiar areas a fresh, polished look.
This also enhances the textures in the environment. In this side-by-side of some ferns covering a stone gate, the sharpness and detail of the textures are immediately clear. The lighting improvements make these elements really pop on Switch 2.
Ground textures have also been sharpened, and there is a much higher level of environmental detail with extra foliage and grass scattered throughout the world. These additions create a more vibrant and alive feeling, bringing the portable version closer to the larger console counterparts.
This is especially obvious in the approach to Solitude. There are numerous additional clumps of grass, upgraded path textures, and improved lighting that make the city feel far more detailed. It is a remarkable improvement, particularly considering this engine is over a decade old.
Lighting
This clip shows the classic Alteration levelling trick in action, which also highlights the improvements in draw distance and lighting. On the original Switch, the Magelight spell casts a simple glow on the trees along the path. On Switch 2, the increased level of detail makes the light feel far more realistic. It highlights individual branches and emphasises the enhanced texture detail on the rocks, giving the scene a much richer and more immersive appearance.
Unfortunately, not everything is perfect on the Switch 2 edition. I have experienced noticeable input lag in both docked and handheld modes, and there are a few visual glitches with water. Hopefully, these issues will be addressed in future patches.
Overall
Overall, the Skyrim Switch 2 edition is a significant visual leap over the original. The upgraded resolution and DLSS upscaling make the world look sharper and smoother, while improved textures and additional environmental details bring areas like Solitude and Riverwood to life. Lighting and shadow enhancements, along with better draw distances, make exploration feel more immersive than ever. The framerate remaining capped at 30 fps is disappointing, especially on the more powerful Switch 2 hardware, but the game still runs smoothly without noticeable frame pacing issues. Despite a few visual glitches and occasional input lag, this edition is a worthwhile upgrade for both returning players and newcomers. I will be diving into a full review soon, so make sure to like and subscribe to What’s It Like to catch all the details.
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