Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Nintendo Switch 2 review — background and platforms
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, launched on PC (Steam) and Xbox Series consoles before arriving on PlayStation 5 and now Nintendo Switch 2.
The game blends adventure, stealth, puzzle-solving, and immersive-sim elements, and has seen multiple updates since its initial release; it is also listed as Steam Deck Verified after post-launch fixes.
The Switch 2 port ships with those updates included, while the Order of Giants DLC remains a separate purchase.
Notable statements, rewritten
- The writer recalled following MachineGames since Wolfenstein: The New Order and said they were keen to see how the studio would handle an Indiana Jones property.
"After following MachineGames' work for years, I was especially curious to see how they'd adapt Indiana Jones' tone and pacing," the writer said.
- On cross-platform experience: "On PS5 and Xbox Series the game targets 60 frames per second with ray tracing enabled; the Switch 2 version targets 30 frames per second with significant visual compromises to preserve a stable portable presentation," the reporter noted.
Performance and visual targets by platform
MachineGames' title targets 60 fps on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, with those versions using upscaling (reported target ~1800p on base PS5/Xbox Series and higher output on PS5 Pro).
The game has been described as a ray tracing–capable, 60 fps experience on those consoles.
By contrast, the Nintendo Switch 2 port targets 30 frames per second, with resolution targets of approximately 1080p docked and 720p handheld.
These differences reflect the trade-offs made to enable a portable, hybrid experience on Switch 2.
Handheld and Steam Deck comparisons
The Switch 2 handheld presentation is generally more stable than the Steam Deck experience for this title, although the Switch 2 port shows reduced texture detail, increased pop-in for foliage and shadows, and lower overall fidelity compared with PS5 and Xbox Series versions.
Steam Deck was unplayable at launch but later achieved Verified status; however, users can still encounter soft image quality and frame-rate drops in busy scenes.
The Switch 2 benefits from improved stability and HD Rumble 2 support versus the Steam Deck’s basic rumble, but lacks PS5 haptics and adaptive triggers.
Verdict and context for buyers
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Nintendo Switch 2 is a conservative yet competent port that preserves the game's design and delivers a viable portable experience.
For players prioritizing native resolution and 60 fps performance, PS5 and Xbox Series versions remain the best technical options.
For players who value hybrid portability, the Switch 2 release represents one of the stronger AAA ports to date, while still leaving room for post-launch improvements to texture streaming, shadow pop-in, and performance in busier areas.
Version tested: Nintendo Switch 2.
Review copy provided by Bethesda Softworks.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, launched on PC (Steam) and Xbox Series consoles before arriving on PlayStation 5 and now Nintendo Switch 2.
The game blends adventure, stealth, puzzle-solving, and immersive-sim elements, and has seen multiple updates since its initial release; it is also listed as Steam Deck Verified after post-launch fixes.
The Switch 2 port ships with those updates included, while the Order of Giants DLC remains a separate purchase.
Notable statements, rewritten
- The writer recalled following MachineGames since Wolfenstein: The New Order and said they were keen to see how the studio would handle an Indiana Jones property.
"After following MachineGames' work for years, I was especially curious to see how they'd adapt Indiana Jones' tone and pacing," the writer said.
- On cross-platform experience: "On PS5 and Xbox Series the game targets 60 frames per second with ray tracing enabled; the Switch 2 version targets 30 frames per second with significant visual compromises to preserve a stable portable presentation," the reporter noted.
Performance and visual targets by platform
MachineGames' title targets 60 fps on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, with those versions using upscaling (reported target ~1800p on base PS5/Xbox Series and higher output on PS5 Pro).
The game has been described as a ray tracing–capable, 60 fps experience on those consoles.
By contrast, the Nintendo Switch 2 port targets 30 frames per second, with resolution targets of approximately 1080p docked and 720p handheld.
These differences reflect the trade-offs made to enable a portable, hybrid experience on Switch 2.
Handheld and Steam Deck comparisons
The Switch 2 handheld presentation is generally more stable than the Steam Deck experience for this title, although the Switch 2 port shows reduced texture detail, increased pop-in for foliage and shadows, and lower overall fidelity compared with PS5 and Xbox Series versions.
Steam Deck was unplayable at launch but later achieved Verified status; however, users can still encounter soft image quality and frame-rate drops in busy scenes.
The Switch 2 benefits from improved stability and HD Rumble 2 support versus the Steam Deck’s basic rumble, but lacks PS5 haptics and adaptive triggers.
Verdict and context for buyers
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Nintendo Switch 2 is a conservative yet competent port that preserves the game's design and delivers a viable portable experience.
For players prioritizing native resolution and 60 fps performance, PS5 and Xbox Series versions remain the best technical options.
For players who value hybrid portability, the Switch 2 release represents one of the stronger AAA ports to date, while still leaving room for post-launch improvements to texture streaming, shadow pop-in, and performance in busier areas.
Version tested: Nintendo Switch 2.
Review copy provided by Bethesda Softworks.
