One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Delivers Performance Boost and Visual Upgrades
As the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to attract both new and returning titles, Bandai Namco Entertainment’s One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 has officially joined the roster with its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
Originally released in March 2020, Pirate Warriors 4 has been a fan-favorite musou action game that allows players to relive the epic adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates.
With an expansive cast, energetic combat, and adaptable performance, the game has sold over 2 million copies worldwide as of 2022, cementing itself as one of the most popular entries in the Pirate Warriors series.
Now, the next-gen upgrade brings a host of improvements aimed at veteran fans and newcomers alike, with a specific focus on the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. The arrival of upgrade packs for PS5 and Xbox Series naturally raised expectations among Switch owners regarding Bandai Namco’s commitment to parity.
Responding to player anticipation, the publisher has now launched One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, offering a free performance and visual upgrade for existing owners.
Additionally, the game is available in a new Legendary Edition, bundled with all currently released downloadable content (DLC), and is receiving its first major discount since announcement. Running One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a significant jump over the original hybrid console.
Players who have revisited the title across Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Steam platforms will appreciate the forward steps in visuals, enemy count, draw distance, and load times.
The Switch 2 Edition showcases sharper textures and a greater sense of scale on the battlefield.
Notably, the load times have been drastically reduced: on Nintendo Switch, loading the same battle could take upwards of 50 seconds, while Nintendo Switch 2 now completes the process in just 12 seconds, surpassing backward compatibility and narrowing the gap with the PS5 and Steam versions. In an official statement, Bandai Namco representatives highlighted that, “The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition brings the dynamic action and broad character roster of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 to a new level of performance and presentation, offering both free upgrades for existing fans and bundled options for newcomers.” Despite visible improvements, some trade-offs remain.
The Switch 2 Edition introduces new visual enhancements but at the cost of slight frame rate drops in dense action sequences, especially when docked.
Users have reported minor issues with menu and text rendering in docked mode, leaving room for post-launch optimization.
Foliage and shadow effects, already identified as a challenge in previous versions, continue to exhibit flicker and shimmer inconsistencies—even on PC at maximum settings—suggesting a more fundamental engine limitation. Handheld players benefit most from the Switch 2 upgrade.
The original game, when played on the first-generation Switch in handheld mode, suffered notable resolution and clarity issues.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition now delivers a much cleaner experience on the go, even if some performance hitches remain.
With continued DLC support from Bandai Namco, players can expect future patches to further improve stability and address remaining concerns. For those considering a purchase, the Legendary or Ultimate Editions offer the best value, regularly available at a discount and packing a complete character roster and extra missions.
Buying the base game and adding DLC separately can quickly increase the total cost, so bundles are the recommended route. Overall, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades the series on next-gen hardware, making it the best portable option for the musou crowd.
Despite its minor flaws, it’s a worthwhile addition for both seasoned fans and those new to the One Piece world.
The Nintendo Switch 2, combined with Bandai Namco’s refinements, sets a new standard for anime brawlers on the platform.
Originally released in March 2020, Pirate Warriors 4 has been a fan-favorite musou action game that allows players to relive the epic adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates.
With an expansive cast, energetic combat, and adaptable performance, the game has sold over 2 million copies worldwide as of 2022, cementing itself as one of the most popular entries in the Pirate Warriors series.
Now, the next-gen upgrade brings a host of improvements aimed at veteran fans and newcomers alike, with a specific focus on the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. The arrival of upgrade packs for PS5 and Xbox Series naturally raised expectations among Switch owners regarding Bandai Namco’s commitment to parity.
Responding to player anticipation, the publisher has now launched One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, offering a free performance and visual upgrade for existing owners.
Additionally, the game is available in a new Legendary Edition, bundled with all currently released downloadable content (DLC), and is receiving its first major discount since announcement. Running One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a significant jump over the original hybrid console.
Players who have revisited the title across Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Steam platforms will appreciate the forward steps in visuals, enemy count, draw distance, and load times.
The Switch 2 Edition showcases sharper textures and a greater sense of scale on the battlefield.
Notably, the load times have been drastically reduced: on Nintendo Switch, loading the same battle could take upwards of 50 seconds, while Nintendo Switch 2 now completes the process in just 12 seconds, surpassing backward compatibility and narrowing the gap with the PS5 and Steam versions. In an official statement, Bandai Namco representatives highlighted that, “The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition brings the dynamic action and broad character roster of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 to a new level of performance and presentation, offering both free upgrades for existing fans and bundled options for newcomers.” Despite visible improvements, some trade-offs remain.
The Switch 2 Edition introduces new visual enhancements but at the cost of slight frame rate drops in dense action sequences, especially when docked.
Users have reported minor issues with menu and text rendering in docked mode, leaving room for post-launch optimization.
Foliage and shadow effects, already identified as a challenge in previous versions, continue to exhibit flicker and shimmer inconsistencies—even on PC at maximum settings—suggesting a more fundamental engine limitation. Handheld players benefit most from the Switch 2 upgrade.
The original game, when played on the first-generation Switch in handheld mode, suffered notable resolution and clarity issues.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition now delivers a much cleaner experience on the go, even if some performance hitches remain.
With continued DLC support from Bandai Namco, players can expect future patches to further improve stability and address remaining concerns. For those considering a purchase, the Legendary or Ultimate Editions offer the best value, regularly available at a discount and packing a complete character roster and extra missions.
Buying the base game and adding DLC separately can quickly increase the total cost, so bundles are the recommended route. Overall, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades the series on next-gen hardware, making it the best portable option for the musou crowd.
Despite its minor flaws, it’s a worthwhile addition for both seasoned fans and those new to the One Piece world.
The Nintendo Switch 2, combined with Bandai Namco’s refinements, sets a new standard for anime brawlers on the platform.
