Nintendo Switch 2 Outperforms Steam Deck in Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmarks, Shows Superior Efficiency

Nintendo’s next-generation hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2, has been under the microscope as gaming experts evaluate its real-world capabilities compared to competing handhelds.

Digital Foundry, renowned for its rigorous technical analyses, recently presented an in-depth video comparing the performance of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck through benchmark tests with Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition—developed by CD Projekt Red, a title famous for pushing hardware to its limits. The benchmarks included multiple scenarios: docked and handheld modes on the Switch 2, using CDPR’s official testing protocol, as well as Digital Foundry’s own 'Kabuki run' and 'The Beast In Me' sequences.

In their docked mode analysis, Digital Foundry highlighted that the Nintendo Switch 2 strongly surpasses the Steam Deck.

Image quality receives a notable uplift thanks to the integration of NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling.

Additionally, the Switch 2 maintains a steadier frame rate in quality mode, while the performance mode—targeting 40 frames per second—offers somewhat variable results, but largely keeps ahead of the Steam Deck’s delivery. Handheld mode presents a more nuanced picture.

Performance mode is not available on the Switch 2 in this configuration, setting a fixed goal of 30fps.

Despite this, Digital Foundry reported that the Switch 2 experienced slightly more frame rate fluctuations than the Steam Deck in demanding tests like the Kabuki run and The Beast In Me.

However, it's important to note that the Switch 2 renders at a higher resolution than its rival.

Where Nintendo’s new system really shines is in efficiency: its reported power draw in handheld mode is approximately 8.9 watts—about 36% of the Steam Deck’s 24.5 watts—while still delivering comparable visuals. To put that efficiency into perspective, when the Steam Deck’s power consumption was artificially restricted to match the Switch 2, its performance deteriorated dramatically, with frame rates dipping as low as 9-13fps.

Digital Foundry commented that in typical player scenarios, these differences in power draw would impact battery life and comfort, making the Switch 2’s energy savings particularly compelling for portable gaming. Interestingly, when replicating the Switch 2's performance profile and settings on a PC, Visual settings for crowd density, contact shadows, and volumetric clouds closely mirrored those found in PlayStation 5’s performance mode.

This alignment demonstrates the impressive optimization Nintendo and its hardware partners have achieved with the Switch 2—making it not only powerful but also highly efficient for current-generation gaming. With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to expand its presence on the market and anticipated support for high-demand titles through the Nintendo eShop and future Nintendo Direct showcases, these early benchmark results bolster its reputation as a formidable successor in the hybrid gaming space.

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