Hello Games has delivered a notable upgrade for No Man’s Sky on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, offering a substantial leap in both visual fidelity and performance compared to its original release on the first-generation Nintendo Switch. This enhancement is provided as a free update for existing owners of the game, marking a generational shift that fully utilizes the improved capabilities of Nintendo’s new hardware.
On the original Nintendo Switch, No Man’s Sky ran at a resolution of 720p when docked and 480p in handheld mode, with the frame rate capped at 30 frames per second across both modes. While this allowed the expansive space exploration title to function on the aging hardware, it came with noticeable compromises in graphical clarity, environmental detail, and performance stability.
In contrast, the Nintendo Switch 2 version demonstrates a significant technological advancement. When docked, the game now targets an upscaled resolution of 1440p from a native base of 914p, utilizing NVIDIA’s DLSS technology to maintain image quality while improving performance. The frame rate averages around 40 frames per second but has the flexibility to run unlocked, ranging from 30 to 60 frames per second depending on the gameplay scenario.
In handheld mode, the game similarly benefits from dynamic upscaling to 1080p, with the base resolution fluctuating between 720p and 540p, again aided by DLSS for sharper visuals. This results in a smoother and noticeably clearer experience for portable play.
Beyond resolution and frame rate improvements, No Man’s Sky on Switch 2 features enhanced graphical settings across the board. Players can expect better lighting effects, sharper textures, increased draw distances, improved geometry, and more refined post-processing effects. Level of detail scaling has also seen a boost, making planetary surfaces, space stations, and distant objects more visually consistent and detailed than before.
Performance stability has improved as well, with the game comfortably maintaining 30 frames per second when locked, avoiding the dips and stutters sometimes experienced on the original Switch. Loading times have also been significantly reduced, with the Switch 2 nearly halving the wait time compared to its predecessor—a welcome change for players eager to jump back into the vast, procedurally generated universe.
The free upgrade ensures No Man’s Sky stays fresh on Nintendo’s next-gen platform, utilizing modern rendering techniques and hardware advancements to deliver a superior experience. This enhanced version demonstrates the technical leap between the original Switch and its successor, offering spacefaring adventurers a more immersive and visually refined journey, whether playing portably or on TV.
