When the Switch 2 launched with full backward compatibility, the excitement wasn’t just about new games, it was about how our old favourites would run with new hardware under the hood. Some fans were hoping for major performance gains. Others just wanted to know if certain struggling titles finally became playable. I’ve been inundated with comments on my channel lately, and these ten titles came up more than any others. Now… and I’ve tested them all.
From shooters to strategy games, ports to power-hungry open worlds, this list covers a wide range of genres and technical demands. Whether you’re wondering if it’s worth jumping back in or just curious about how the Switch 2 handles these legacy titles, here’s what I found.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7 was already an impressive technical feat on the original Switch, offering high-fidelity visuals and fluid aerial combat. Given how demanding the game can be during large-scale battles, players were curious to see whether the Switch 2 could push it even further.
How it performs on Switch 2:
Honestly, this one already flew high on Switch 1, and the Switch 2 doesn’t change much, but that’s not a bad thing. I tested the one level where I personally experienced Framerate dips on the original hardware, the mission where you destroy platforms that collapse into the sea, and it ran perfectly. No dips, no stutters. Visually, I didn’t notice any meaningful improvements, but that really just reinforces how strong the original port was. It still looks fantastic whether docked or handheld.
My verdict:
There’s no dramatic boost here, but none was needed. This is still one of the best-looking and smoothest-running games on Switch. It’s no surprise this one earned a What’s It Like? Certified Exceptional rating.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance was one of the most ambitious ports ever attempted on the original Switch. Known for its massive open world and detailed medieval systems, the game managed to land on the platform with surprising completeness, and even the performance issues couldn’t stop me from recommending this fantastic title.
How it performs on Switch 2:
The difference is noticeable almost immediately. On Switch 2, Kingdom Come delivers a much smoother experience. Framerate feels significantly improved, especially during exploration and combat, where the original hardware often struggled. While it’s still the same visual package, no texture upgrades or resolution boosts here, the performance leap makes it feel more stable and immersive.
My verdict:
If you bounced off this one due to stutters or inconsistent performance, the Switch 2 gives it new life. It’s still a dense, slow-burn RPG, but now it runs well enough to let the world draw you in. A clear win for backwards compatibility.
Civilization VI
Civilization VI was a standout strategy title on the original Switch, deep, endlessly replayable, and surprisingly complete. But in the late game, performance often took a nosedive. Long wait times between turns and sluggish camera movement made those final hours a test of patience, even if the core experience was still compelling.
How it performs on Switch 2:
Right out of the gate, load times are faster. Getting into a game takes less time, and the overall responsiveness is improved. The most noticeable upgrade is the visual clarity — graphics are significantly sharper on Switch 2, making the interface and map details easier to read and more vibrant overall. Best of all, the game now runs at 60 FPS during your turns, with only minor stutters when the AI takes its turn or when rapidly panning the camera across the map. It’s not perfect, but it’s a clear step up from the original hardware.
My verdict:
Civilization VI is still one of the best strategy games on Switch, and the Switch 2 makes it better in all the ways that matter. It’s sharper, snappier, and much more pleasant to play deep into the late game. For fans of big-brain gaming, this upgrade is worth taking advantage of.
Wartales
Wartales is one of the most unique and rewarding strategy RPGs on the Switch, but its initial release was rough. Frequent crashes and uneven performance held back an otherwise fantastic game. While post-launch updates addressed stability, framerate issues and hitches remained a common complaint.
How it performs on Switch 2:
On the surface, there’s a huge improvement. Wartales now runs at 60 FPS, and general navigation and exploration feel much smoother. But once combat starts, the old problems creep back in — kind of. The game still suffers from momentary pauses when a unit needs to “think,” causing brief but noticeable hitches as the AI processes its next move. It’s strange, as there’s fluid motion and responsive controls most of the time, with occasional micro-freezes that interrupt the flow. It’s clearly running better, but not entirely without issue.
My verdict:
This is a big step up from the launch experience, but not quite the seamless performance leap some might have hoped for. If you loved Wartales already, this makes it easier to keep playing, but if you were waiting for a perfect patch, we’re not quite there yet.
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game
Expeditions quickly became a fan favourite among exploration and simulation fans, and it was one of my personal favourites on the original Switch. But while the gameplay was fantastic, the resolution and heavy blur made it a tough sell, especially in handheld mode.
How it performs on Switch 2:
This might be the biggest visual glow-up on the list so far. On Switch 2, Expeditions delivers smooth framerates, sharp visuals, and a clean image even in handheld. The adaptive resolution no longer introduces any noticeable blur, making environments look crisp and immersive throughout. Even demanding areas like the Carpathian Mountains, which previously caused a noticeable framerate dip, now appear to run at a locked 30 FPS. Everything just feels more stable and refined.
My verdict:
If you skipped this game due to its image quality on Switch 1, now’s the time to dive in. It’s not just playable on Switch 2, it’s incredible. I can’t wait to get back out there and keep exploring.
Dungeons 4
Dungeons 4 blends management, RTS action, and comedy into one delightfully evil package. It was a great fit for the Switch, but the original version struggled when the screen filled with units. Crashes and framerate drops became common once your army reached any real size, dampening what was otherwise a fantastic experience.
How it performs on Switch 2:
This is another big win. On Switch 2, Dungeons 4 runs much more smoothly, even with a full army in play, there were no framerate dips. The visuals are also noticeably crisper, giving the interface and environments a more refined, polished feel.
There were a couple of small hitches right after loading in — one during a payday event, and another when I was suddenly under attack — but after that, the game ran flawlessly.
My verdict:
If the performance issues pushed you away the first time, it’s worth coming back. Dungeons 4 feels properly stable now, and its mix of chaos and charm finally gets the technical support it deserves
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition
The Witcher 3 was a technical marvel on Switch 1, a full-blown open world RPG with both expansions packed into a handheld device. Sure, it came with compromises, but the fact that it ran at all was impressive. Naturally, fans were curious to see if Switch 2 could smooth out its rough edges.
How it performs on Switch 2:
The improvement is immediately noticeable. The game now runs at a silky smooth framerate, making exploration and combat feel much more fluid. Visuals are crisper, though some of the original engine’s tricks, like pop-in and aggressive LOD swapping, are still present. That said, it’s worth diving into the settings. Tweaking post-processing options like sharpening and blurring can really help polish the image further. Even without those changes, though, the improved performance makes it easier to lose yourself in the world of Geralt all over again.
My verdict:
It’s still the same miracle port, but now it runs smoother. I was hoping for a big leap like Expeditions, but if you haven’t played it in a while, or never finished it, the Switch 2 is a good excuse to return to The Witcher 3.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds didn’t exactly wow players when it launched on the original Switch. The port was solid content-wise, but blurry visuals and long load times made it feel rough around the edges. A later optimisation patch improved things significantly, but fans were hopeful that the Switch 2 could push it even further.
How it performs on Switch 2:
Performance-wise, the Switch 2 does deliver a smoother framerate, which helps make combat and exploration feel snappier. However, beyond that, the upgrade is pretty minimal. The persistent blur is still there, and load times don’t seem much faster compared to the patched Switch 1 version.
My verdict:
It’s still a great game, there’s no question about that, but don’t expect a dramatic transformation here. If you’ve already played it, this isn’t a must-revisit. If you’re coming in fresh, though, the smoother framerate on Switch 2 at least gives you the best version of this port.
ARK: Survival Evolved
ARK’s original Switch release was borderline unplayable, a famously rough port plagued by crashes, low resolution, and performance issues. But after a complete engine overhaul by Grove Street Games, it was reborn into something genuinely enjoyable. For many players, especially those into survival and base-building (myself included), it quietly became a serious time sink.
How it performs on Switch 2:
The biggest difference is visual clarity. The heavy pixelation that defined the early Switch 1 release is now gone, and the game runs at a much smoother framerate overall. That said, the same engine tricks used to keep performance stable, like pop-in and simplified textures, are now just more visible thanks to the sharper output.
My verdict:
This isn’t a huge leap forward, but it is the best version of ARK you can play on Nintendo hardware. If you enjoyed it before or want to finally give it a go, the Switch 2 makes for a better (and much more stable) starting point.
High on Life
High on Life is a weird, wild ride, and a surprisingly solid addition to the Switch library. While the game had its flaws, including some visual roughness and performance quirks, it brought a unique style and irreverent tone that made it worth checking out. With its recent release, players were curious how it would fare on Switch 2.
How it performs on Switch 2:
Performance is noticeably smoother, with improved framerates across the board. There’s also less pixelation compared to the Switch 1 version, especially during combat and fast movement. That said, the visuals still look a bit soft overall, not quite as sharp as some of the other upgraded titles on this list.
My verdict:
It’s a better version of the game for sure, just not a massive leap. If you haven’t jumped in yet, the Switch 2 gives you a smoother ride, even if it still looks a little blurry around the edges.
What Should We Test Next?
The Switch 2’s backwards compatibility has opened the door for countless replays, rediscoveries, and technical surprises, and this list is just the beginning. Whether it’s performance boosts, sharper visuals, or just the joy of revisiting old favourites on new hardware, the results so far have been fascinating. What should we test next? Let me know what titles you’re curious about, the weird ports, the big-name releases, or the hidden gems that might just shine a little brighter on Switch 2.
