GTA: The Trilogy On Nintendo Switch Has Worse Performance Than PS2 Version

GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is also available on the Nintendo Switch, but its performance and visuals are even worse than the PS2.

Digital Foundry and YouTuber ElAnalistaDeBits have shared their technical analysis of GTA: The Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch. The consensus is that this version is worse than even the original PS2 release with lower performance, and downgraded visuals.

Coming to the resolution of the game, it runs at under 720p, roughly 648p, when played in the docked mode. The portable mode appears to run at an even lower resolution. The frame rate targets 30 FPS but never quite manages to hit this mark, dropping down to 30 FPS during most gameplay sections. The frame rate when does hits 30 FPS is uneven with its frame pacing issues which makes it feel like there is a stutter during gameplay.

The resolution is already low at sub 720p, but the texture quality and visual effects are pared back from the console release for the Nintendo Switch version thus adding insult to the injury. Due to the downgraded visuals and the modernized game engine style, it feels like a worse version than even the PS2 release which at least looked fresh concerning its art style.

So if you are eying GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch, the best advice to give right now is to stay away from it. The terrible performance and reduced visuals are the least of the problems, as several bugs have an impact on the gameplay, some even leading to crashes or loss of progress.

While you are here, take a look at the comparison between the original and remaster versions, or the PS4 and PS5 versions of GTA: The Trilogy. At least you get something decent out of them compared to the Nintendo Switch version, which has several problems of its own. You can also take a look at the cheat codes list, or find out how to refund the game.