Grounded on Nintendo Switch: Technical Analysis Reveals Performance and Visual Challenges

Obsidian Entertainment’s survival adventure title Grounded—originally released in 2022—made headlines earlier this year when its debut on the Nintendo Switch was revealed during February’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase.

The announcement took many by surprise, as Grounded has traditionally been associated with Xbox platforms, making its cross-platform expansion a notable milestone for both the developer and fans eager to experience the game on new hardware.

Despite the anticipation, early reactions have been tempered by the technical realities of porting a graphically intensive title to Nintendo’s hybrid console.

The Switch version launched on April 16, 2024, via the Nintendo eShop, joining a growing library of third-party titles vying for attention on the platform.

However, initial reviews, including a moderate 6/10 from leading gaming outlets, have flagged noticeable performance drawbacks and graphical compromises necessitated by the Switch’s hardware limitations. A recent in-depth report from respected tech analysis group Digital Foundry offers further insights, underscoring the technical hurdles faced in the transition.

The analysis highlights that, while the accomplishment of bringing a game as ambitious as Grounded to the Switch is commendable, significant performance concerns persist.

In their coverage, Digital Foundry notes that Grounded manages to achieve a 30 frames-per-second (FPS) target in less demanding scenarios or open environments.

However, during more intensive gameplay moments, the frame rate frequently dips into the 20 FPS range, resulting in visible stuttering and impacting the feel of play. A notable technical issue, as detailed in Digital Foundry’s breakdown, is the persistent stuttering associated with the autosave system—a problem that, while also present on the PlayStation 5 version, feels more pronounced due to the Switch’s limited processing power.

Visual downgrades, such as reduced texture quality and pronounced pop-in, are also apparent.

When docked, the port operates around 600p resolution, with dynamic scaling between 720p and 360p depending on scene complexity.

In handheld mode, resolution and graphical fidelity drop further, although the smaller screen does conceal some imperfections. Thomas Morgan, speaking on behalf of Digital Foundry, ultimately suggests that the compromises made to run Grounded on the Nintendo Switch are substantial.

While the feat of porting the title should be recognized, these technical setbacks make it difficult to enthusiastically recommend the Switch version to players seeking the best possible experience. As Grounded continues its journey across multiple platforms, its performance on Switch stands as a reminder of the challenges developers face when adapting demanding games for a hybrid console.

Prospective players are encouraged to review technical analyses—such as Digital Foundry’s comprehensive report—and weigh their options before diving into Obsidian Entertainment’s unique, shrunken world on Nintendo’s widely beloved platform.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Digital Foundry Grounded Switch Switch port Technical Obsidian Entertainment Nintendo Direct eShop Thomas Morgan