Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red’s vast open-world RPG, has come a long way from its bumpy 2020 launch, shaking off bugs to shine as a slick masterpiece, and its debut as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title has fans amped. It promises a portable experience that rivals high-end platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on the Switch 2 isn’t a trimmed-down version of the game. It includes the base game and the Phantom Liberty expansion, all packed onto a 64GB cartridge with no additional downloads required. “Choosing to release a cartridge-based version was the right thing to do,” says Jan Rosner, CD Projekt Red’s VP of Business. This is the full package—every mission, every side quest, and even the Balatro collaboration side quest, ready to go right from the start.
- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, Disc Drive, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials,...
- Vertical Stand sold separately
Getting a beast like Cyberpunk 2077 to run smoothly on a hybrid console like the Nintendo Switch 2 seems daunting, but it nails it with smart tech, using NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling— a Nintendo first—to churn out crisp visuals despite the hardware’s limits. In docked mode, it targets 1080p resolution, while handheld mode aims for 720p, with dynamic resolution scaling that dips as low as 540p or 360p in intense scenes. “We’re using a version of DLSS available for Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, powered by NVIDIA’s Tensor cores,” CD Projekt Red confirms, noting that DLSS is active in all four display modes: docked and handheld, each with quality and performance options.
In quality mode, the game locks at 30fps for richer visuals, while performance mode targets 40fps with variable refresh rate (VRR) support on compatible displays. Charles Tremblay, CD Projekt Red’s VP of technology, calls it “the best way to experience the game on the go,” praising the Switch 2’s “new amazing LCD screens with VRR support.” Compared to the PlayStation 5, which boasts ray tracing and a rock-solid 60fps in its performance mode, the Switch 2 makes compromises but still impresses. Digital Foundry notes that the Switch 2’s image quality surpasses the Xbox Series S in some scenarios, particularly when driving through Night City’s dense streets, thanks to DLSS’s ability to reconstruct a 1080p frame from lower native resolutions.
Against the Xbox Series S, which targets a stable 30fps in quality mode, the Switch 2 holds its own. Comparison videos from YouTuber Cycu1 show the Switch 2 version looking sharper than the unpatched PlayStation 4 Pro release, with improved textures and fewer pop-in issues. However, it falls short of the PS5’s ray-traced lighting and smoother frame rates. “It’s not quite up there with the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but it’s still pretty stunning,” says Nintendo Life, highlighting the Switch 2’s ability to deliver a visually rich experience on a handheld.
While the Steam Deck can run Cyberpunk 2077, it often requires dialed-down settings for smooth performance. The Switch 2, by contrast, delivers a more optimized experience, especially in handheld mode. “It looks and runs much better on Nintendo Switch 2 than Steam Deck,” confirm Deck Wizard, showcasing footage of the game hitting 40fps in performance mode with better image quality. CD Projekt Red’s Tremblay doubles down, calling the Switch 2 version “the more cyberpunk way to play,” a nod to its seamless portability and polished presentation.
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