Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 has just received a comprehensive technical breakdown from Digital Foundry, and the results are genuinely surprising. While many expected a heavily compromised port, what we got instead is arguably the most impressive demonstration of Switch 2 technology to date.
Ray Tracing Survives the Nintendo Port
Here’s what nobody saw coming: Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 retains its ray tracing effects. We’re talking about hardware-accelerated RT running on what is essentially a handheld device. The ray-traced global illumination still fills environments with believable bounce light, creating that cinematic atmosphere the game is known for.
Sure, there’s some noise in the lighting presentation compared to Xbox Series S, and surfaces can appear slightly coarser. But the fundamental visual identity remains intact. In some specific lighting scenarios, the Switch 2 version even holds its own against more powerful hardware.
DLSS Technology Makes the Difference
The secret weapon here is DLSS with Dynamic Resolution Scaling. When docked, Star Wars Outlaws runs at a native 720p resolution but outputs at 1440p. In handheld mode, you’re looking at 540p native with 1080p output. This AI upscaling technology is doing serious heavy lifting to maintain visual quality.
The results speak for themselves. Even stretched across a large TV screen, the game maintains impressive image quality that would have been impossible through traditional upscaling methods.
Performance That Actually Works
Star Wars Outlaws targets 30fps on Switch 2, and it largely delivers. Digital Foundry’s analysis shows stable performance with no significant frame pacing issues. Some menus even run at 60fps, while cutscenes occasionally see minor drops.
The stability is particularly impressive given the open-world nature of the game. Multiple explorable planets, bustling cities, and high-speed traversal all run smoothly on hardware that pulls just a handful of watts.
Smart Compromises and Technical Cuts
This isn’t magic – Ubisoft Red Lynx and Massive Entertainment made intelligent sacrifices. Foliage density is scaled back, shadows are blurrier, and volumetric fog takes a hit. The Switch 2 version clocks in at just 20GB, roughly a third of other console versions.
But here’s the thing: these compromises feel surgical rather than wholesale butchery. The core experience remains largely intact, and in handheld mode especially, the visual differences become even less noticeable.
Why Game Key Cards Actually Make Sense
The controversy around Star Wars Outlaws using game key cards instead of proper cartridges finally has a technical explanation. Audio architect Rob Bantin explained that full cartridges “simply didn’t give the performance we needed at the quality target we were going for.”
The Snowdrop engine relies heavily on disk streaming for open-world environments. Since the game was originally designed around SSDs, the Switch 2 adaptation needed that faster storage access that key cards provide through eShop downloads.
A New Paradigm for Nintendo Ports
What we’re seeing here represents a fundamental shift. Previous generation Nintendo ports like Hogwarts Legacy on original Switch were barely recognizable compared to their console counterparts. Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 proves that architectural advantages in RT acceleration and machine learning can help Nintendo hardware punch above its weight class.
This isn’t just a linear downgrade anymore. It’s a genuinely competent version of a demanding current-generation game running on mobile hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 have ray tracing?
Yes, Star Wars Outlaws maintains hardware-accelerated ray tracing on Switch 2, including ray-traced global illumination and distant shadows. The quality is somewhat reduced compared to other platforms but still present and functional.
What resolution does Star Wars Outlaws run at on Switch 2?
When docked, the game runs at 720p native resolution with 1440p output via DLSS. In handheld mode, it’s 540p native with 1080p output. The AI upscaling helps maintain visual quality despite lower native resolutions.
What framerate does Star Wars Outlaws achieve on Switch 2?
Star Wars Outlaws targets and generally maintains 30fps on Switch 2. Performance is stable with no major frame pacing issues, though some cutscenes may experience minor drops.
Why does Star Wars Outlaws use a game key card instead of a cartridge?
According to Ubisoft developers, game key cards were necessary because the Snowdrop engine requires fast disk streaming for open-world environments. Traditional cartridges couldn’t provide the performance needed at their target quality level.
How much storage space does Star Wars Outlaws require on Switch 2?
The Switch 2 version is approximately 20GB, which is about a third the size of versions on other consoles. This reduction comes from compressed assets and scaled-back elements like foliage density.
Is Star Wars Outlaws worth buying on Switch 2?
Based on technical analysis, Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 represents an impressive port that maintains the core experience while running on significantly weaker hardware. It’s particularly compelling for handheld gaming.
How does Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 compare to Xbox Series S?
While Xbox Series S generally offers better image quality and lighting stability, the Switch 2 version holds its own remarkably well. Some lighting scenarios even favor the Switch 2, and the portable form factor adds unique value.
The Bottom Line
Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 sets a new standard for what we should expect from demanding game ports on Nintendo hardware. Through intelligent use of DLSS, maintained ray tracing, and smart technical compromises, it proves that the Switch 2 can handle modern AAA games without completely sacrificing their identity.
This isn’t just about Star Wars Outlaws – it’s about what this level of technical achievement means for the future of gaming on Nintendo’s platform. If this is what we’re seeing at launch, the potential for future ports looks genuinely exciting.