Fortnite has made a strong debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, bringing with it a noticeable leap in visual fidelity and performance. According to recent technical analysis, Epic Games’ flagship title now runs at a solid 60 frames per second on the upgraded hardware—both docked and handheld—a major improvement over the original Switch release.
On the original Nintendo Switch, Fortnite operated at a limited 880p resolution and 30 FPS while docked, dropping further to 660p/30 FPS in handheld mode. In contrast, the Switch 2 delivers a much sharper 1224p/60 FPS docked and 900p/60 FPS handheld, showcasing the generational gap between the two systems.
Beyond the resolution and frame rate boost, Switch 2 benefits from broader enhancements across all visual aspects. Improvements can be seen in lighting, geometry, textures, and the overall level of detail. The draw distance has been extended significantly, giving players a broader view of the map. Additionally, screen space reflections (SSR)—previously absent—have been added, enhancing the appearance of reflective surfaces.
The Switch 2 version of Fortnite delivers a dramatic improvement over its predecessor, maintaining a stable 60 FPS without the frame rate dips or asset-loading issues that plagued the original Switch release. This also marks the first time Fortnite runs on Unreal Engine 5 on a Nintendo platform, showcasing the console’s significant performance leap.
Visual upgrades include higher resolutions (up to 2176×1224 docked and 1600×900 handheld), improved textures, enhanced shadows and water rendering, and the addition of clothing physics. Players can now capture gameplay clips using the Capture button, while new features like the Replay system and GameChat support enhance the overall experience.
For more advanced users, docked mode enables high-end visual effects such as distance field ambient occlusion, shadow-casting point lights, and a full desktop renderer. Additionally, mouse controls will be supported via Joy-Con 2 starting June 7, offering greater flexibility in gameplay.
