Hogwarts Legacy has received a technical analysis on the Nintendo Switch 2, revealing an interesting comparison against established platforms such as PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox Series S. The result highlights the potential of Nintendo’s new console to deliver performance that closely matches last-generation hardware, while still falling short in some areas compared to Microsoft’s budget current-generation offering.
On Nintendo Switch 2, the game runs at an upscaled resolution of 1440p in docked mode, with a native rendering resolution of around 720p. Handheld mode offers an upscaled output of 1080p from a dynamic base resolution that averages between 540p and higher values depending on the scene. NVIDIA’s DLSS technology plays a crucial role in elevating the visual output, helping maintain a stable 30 frames per second across both modes.
This performance level puts the Switch 2 version roughly on par with the PS4 Pro edition of the game, which operates at a native 1080p resolution and the same 30 frames per second frame cap. However, despite these similarities, there are notable differences in graphical quality between the two platforms. The PS4 Pro maintains an advantage in draw distance and reflection quality, ensuring distant environments and reflective surfaces appear more detailed. Conversely, the Switch 2 version offers superior ambient occlusion, which enhances the depth and shading of scenes to a degree that the older Sony console cannot match.
When compared to the Xbox Series S in its quality mode, the Nintendo Switch 2 demonstrates respectable performance but ultimately falls behind in visual fidelity. The Series S runs the game at an upscaled 1440p resolution from a higher native base of approximately 1180p, employing AMD’s FSR upscaling technology. This results in sharper image quality and greater environmental detail than what the Switch 2 can deliver. The graphical settings on the Switch 2 more closely resemble those seen in the Series S’s performance mode, which prioritizes frame rate at the expense of visual richness.
Despite the lower rendering resolution on Switch 2, DLSS ensures that image sharpness remains competitive. In direct visual comparisons, the Switch 2 produces an image that is strikingly close in clarity to both the PS4 Pro and the Xbox Series S when the latter is set to its quality mode. This is a notable achievement given the significantly smaller form factor and power envelope of the Switch 2.
In terms of loading times, the Nintendo Switch 2 shows clear generational improvements. Compared to the PS4 Pro, load times are reduced by approximately threefold, significantly enhancing the play experience by minimizing interruptions. However, the Switch 2 still lags behind the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5, where loading speeds remain twice as fast thanks to the superior storage solutions and system architectures present in those devices.
Overall, the technical performance of Hogwarts Legacy on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a promising step forward for portable gaming hardware. While the console does not surpass the visual fidelity of Microsoft’s and Sony’s home systems, it delivers a competent and surprisingly capable version of a modern AAA title, maintaining a balance between image quality and performance suitable for both handheld and docked play.
