Virtuos Assesses Nintendo Switch 2 Performance: Closer to PS4 or Xbox Series S?

As excitement continues to grow around Nintendo’s next-generation console, the Switch 2, developers are beginning to weigh in on the system’s hardware capabilities, offering valuable insights into its potential impact on game development.

Virtuos, a globally recognized development and porting studio with experience across multiple platforms, recently shared its assessment of the Switch 2’s performance, adding a seasoned perspective to the ongoing industry discussion. In a recent interview with Wccftech, Eoin O'Grady, Technical Director at Black Shamrock (a subsidiary of Virtuos), discussed how Nintendo Switch 2’s technical specifications compare to those of the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 4.

O'Grady acknowledged that the Switch 2 strikes a balance between the two systems depending on hardware component: “When evaluating the GPU, the Switch 2 delivers performance slightly below the Xbox Series S, especially notable in handheld mode.

However, the Switch 2 features advanced technologies like DLSS, not present in the Series S, which enhances its overall GPU capabilities,” O’Grady explained. Turning to the CPU, O’Grady elaborated, noting that the Switch 2 is more closely aligned with the PlayStation 4.

“The Switch 2’s CPU offers marginally more power than the PS4’s.

Since most modern games are generally limited by GPU rather than CPU performance—provided they’re well optimized—the significance of this difference will vary based on each game's technical demands and targeted frame rates.” For developers considering porting titles to the new Nintendo hardware, O’Grady offered reassurance: “Any game currently running at 60 FPS on the Xbox Series S is likely to port with relative ease to the Switch 2.

Games targeting 30 FPS on the Series S that are GPU-bound should also transition well.

However, titles with intensive CPU requirements, such as complex physics or animation systems, may require additional optimization to achieve optimal performance on the Switch 2.” The insights from Virtuos follow earlier comments from companies like Koei Tecmo, which described the Switch 2 as comparable to Xbox Series S in terms of raw computing power.

Firaxis, developers of Civilization VII, have also spoken publicly about their development experiences on the upcoming platform.

Meanwhile, hardware partner Nvidia, the company behind the Switch 2 chipset, described the console as a "technical marvel" and highlighted its unique design approach within Nintendo’s hybrid system philosophy. This combination of industry validation and developer optimism bodes well for Nintendo Switch 2 as it prepares to expand the Switch ecosystem.

With leading studios like Virtuos signaling confidence in the new hardware’s capabilities, the Switch 2 is well-positioned to support more ambitious titles and foster smoother cross-platform game development in its next console generation.

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