Nintendo Switch 2 Impresses Developers with PC-Like Performance

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is making waves in the gaming industry with its impressive technical capabilities. According to recent developer feedback, the new console's power rivals that of mid-range gaming PCs.

Firaxis Games, the team behind Sid Meier's Civilization VII, has shared their first-hand development experience with the Nintendo Switch 2. Following the announcement of a "Switch 2 Edition" during Nintendo's latest Direct broadcast, Civilization executive producer Dennis Shirk spoke with Stephen Totilo of Game File about the new console.

"We were able to make this look like a mid-tier PC, because it's got enough power," Shirk revealed, adding that the Switch 2's hardware capabilities made the Civilization VII graphics team "extremely happy."

The performance boost isn't the only improvement coming to the platform. Firaxis also confirmed that Civilization on the Switch 2 will support the mouse capabilities of the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. This feature will allow players to point and click as if they were playing on a PC, bringing the traditional strategy game experience to the portable console.

These positive developer impressions align with claims from Nvidia, the company responsible for the Switch 2's custom processor. According to Nvidia, the new system delivers "10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch," representing a substantial leap forward for Nintendo's hardware.

At Nintendo's showcase event, reporters were able to see multiple games running on the Switch 2, including Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour. Game File reported that the Switch 2 version of Civilization VII "ran nice and snappy" and "looked sharp" compared to the original Switch version, which operates at much lower specifications.

For current owners of Civilization VII on the original Switch, Firaxis has confirmed that players can experience these enhancements on Switch 2 by purchasing a game upgrade when the new system launches.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII is scheduled to arrive alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, giving players an early opportunity to experience the improved performance of Nintendo's next-generation console.