Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 performance just got a major reality check. A massive 40-minute gameplay leak has surfaced online, showing the highly anticipated space adventure running surprisingly well on Nintendo’s upcoming console in docked mode.
This leaked footage comes at a crucial time, just days before the game’s official September 4, 2025 release. After months of doom and gloom predictions about how Star Wars Outlaws would perform on Switch 2, this leak tells a completely different story.
The Leaked Footage Changes Everything
The 40-minute video, posted by YouTube channel mataleao, shows extended gameplay in docked mode. Unlike the brief, controlled demos we’ve seen before, this leak gives us an unfiltered look at open-world exploration, technical details like reflections, and extended sequences traveling through large game areas.
What makes this Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 footage so surprising is how stable it appears. The game maintains consistent performance even during demanding sequences, which directly contradicts the negative reports that emerged from PAX West 2025.
PAX West Reports vs Reality
At PAX West 2025, hands-on impressions painted a grim picture. Attendees reported rough performance, with frame rates dropping below 30fps during sections on Imperial Star Destroyers. Critics described flat lighting on character models and uninspired visuals compared to other console versions.
Steve from Good Vibes Gaming called the experience “kind of rough,” which sparked widespread concern about whether Ubisoft could properly optimize this massive open-world game for Nintendo’s hardware.
However, the leaked gameplay suggests either significant improvements have been made since PAX West, or the controlled demo environment didn’t represent the final product accurately.
Technical Achievements Worth Noting
Running Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 represents a significant technical challenge. This is a massive open-world game that’s CPU intensive and uses forced ray tracing – essentially the worst-case scenario for a Switch port.
The fact that the game appears to run smoothly in docked mode is genuinely impressive. For context, the same game struggles to hit even 20fps on Steam Deck, making the Switch 2 performance all the more remarkable.
Key technical highlights from the leaked footage:
- Stable frame rates during open-world exploration
- Functional ray-traced lighting effects
- Smooth character animations and movement
- Decent draw distances for large environments
- Minimal stuttering or performance hitches
The Handheld Mode Question
While the docked Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 performance looks promising, questions remain about handheld mode. The leaked footage only shows docked gameplay, and many critics specifically mentioned concerns about portable performance.
Handheld mode typically runs at lower clock speeds to preserve battery life, which could impact the game’s stability. Until we see extended handheld gameplay, this remains the biggest unknown for potential buyers.
What This Means for Switch 2 Ports
This leak serves as additional evidence that proper optimization can make even demanding modern games run well on Switch 2. The key difference appears to be developer effort and time investment rather than hardware limitations.
Ubisoft has clearly put significant work into making Star Wars Outlaws function properly on Nintendo’s platform, and it shows. This should give other publishers confidence that ambitious ports are possible with the right approach.
Cross-Platform Features
Beyond performance, Ubisoft confirmed that Star Wars Outlaws will support cross-progression, allowing players to transfer their progress between platforms. This feature adds significant value for gamers who own multiple consoles and want flexibility in how they play.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 leaked gameplay?
The leaked footage shows approximately 40 minutes of uncut gameplay running in docked mode, covering various game environments and mechanics.
When does Star Wars Outlaws release on Switch 2?
Star Wars Outlaws launches on September 4, 2025, alongside other platforms including the Nintendo Switch 2.
Does the game support cross-progression on Switch 2?
Yes, Ubisoft confirmed that Star Wars Outlaws supports cross-progression, allowing players to transfer their progress between different platforms.
How does Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 performance compare to Steam Deck?
The leaked footage suggests significantly better performance than Steam Deck, which struggles to maintain even 20fps with the same game.
What technical features does the Switch 2 version include?
The game includes ray-traced lighting effects, DLSS upscaling, and maintains the full open-world experience from other console versions.
Is the leaked footage representative of the final product?
While the footage appears to show a near-final build, performance may vary in different areas of the game or under different conditions.
How big is Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2?
Reports suggest the game requires approximately 18.2GB of storage space on Nintendo Switch 2.
Final Thoughts
The Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 leak represents a significant shift in expectations. Instead of the disaster many predicted, we’re seeing evidence of a competent port that could satisfy both Star Wars fans and Nintendo players.
While questions remain about handheld performance and consistency across all game areas, the leaked footage proves that ambitious modern games can work on Switch 2 with proper optimization. This bodes well for future third-party support and shows that Nintendo’s new console has real potential for current-generation gaming experiences.