A recent report raises concerns about the performance of Star Wars Outlaws on the Switch 2. At PAX West 2025, the YouTube channel GVG shared hands-on impressions of the game, noting technical issues and inconsistent frame rates in the demo.
Attendees were not allowed to record gameplay footage of the Switch 2 version, with Ubisoft only permitting post-session impressions. While the demo was visually ambitious, it raised performance questions. GVG’s Steve described the experience as “kind of rough,” citing that the frame rate often fell below 30 frames per second during a sequence on an Imperial Star Destroyer.
The problems appear to be linked to the game’s use of ray-traced lighting and DLSS upscaling, which were part of the Switch 2 build. Although these technologies are meant to improve performance and visuals, the results were underwhelming. Character models, like the protagonist’s hair and personal lighting, looked flat and inconsistent, and space battles lacked the visual impact seen on other consoles.
Star Wars Outlaws has already faced technical criticism on platforms like the PlayStation 5 and PC handhelds. The Switch 2 version seems to magnify these issues, leading to comparisons with earlier Nintendo ports that had noticeable trade-offs in resolution and stability.
Despite the performance issues, Ubisoft has included a cross-progression system that lets players carry their progress between platforms—a feature that has been well received. With the game’s September 4, 2025, release date approaching, it is unclear if additional optimizations can significantly improve the Switch 2 edition.
This is the first open-world Star Wars game, promising an adventure set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Players will take on the role of Kay Vess as she navigates criminal syndicates, space battles, and large environments.
