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It's hard to believe, but we're already closing in on the Nintendo Switch 2's half-year mark. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond debuts on Dec. 4, we'll be able to give the console a detailed assessment based on its solid selection of Nintendo-developed early titles. Heavy hitters like Donkey Kong Bananza will lead that analysis, however it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and now Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, that have allowed the new console overcome a critical examination in its opening six months: the tech exam.

Tackling Power Issues

Ahead of Nintendo formally revealed the Switch 2, the primary worry from users regarding the rumored system was about power. In terms of hardware, Nintendo trailed Sony and Microsoft for several generations. That reality became apparent in the Switch's final years. The hope was that a new model would deliver consistent frame rates, improved visuals, and modern capabilities like 4K. That's exactly what we got when the console was debuted this summer. Or that's what its specs indicated, anyway. To really determine if the new console is an improvement, it was necessary to observe some key games operating on the system. We now have that evidence over the last two weeks, and the outlook is positive.

The Pokémon Title as the Early Examination

The first significant examination arrived with October's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon games had notable performance issues on the first Switch, with titles such as Scarlet and Violet releasing in highly problematic conditions. The system didn't bear all the responsibility for those issues; the game engine driving Game Freak's RPGs was old and being pushed beyond its capabilities in the transition to larger environments. This installment would be more of a test for its creator than any other factor, but there was still a lot to observe from the title's graphics and performance on Switch 2.

While the game's restricted visual fidelity has initiated conversations about the studio's prowess, it's clear that this Pokémon game is nowhere near the technical failure of its predecessor, Arceus. It operates at a consistent 60 fps on the new console, while the Switch version maxes out at thirty frames. Objects still appear suddenly, and you may notice many low-resolution elements if you zoom in, but you won't experience anything like the instance in the previous game where you begin airborne travel and see the whole terrain beneath become a jagged, polygonal surface. This is sufficient to grant the new console a decent grade, however with limitations given that the studio has its own problems that amplify restricted capabilities.

The New Zelda Game as the Tougher Performance Examination

We now have a more compelling tech test, though, because of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, out Nov. 6. The latest Musou title pushes the Switch 2 due to its action-oriented style, which has players facing off against a literal army of monsters continuously. The earlier title, Age of Calamity, had issues on the original Switch as the system couldn't handle with its fast-paced action and sheer amount of activity. It often fell under the intended 30 frames and gave the impression that you were pushing too hard when being too aggressive.

Thankfully is that it too succeeds the tech test. Having tested the release thoroughly during the past month, experiencing every level available. In that time, it's clear that it manages to provide a smoother performance compared to its predecessor, maintaining its 60 frames target with more consistency. It can still slip up in the most heated of battles, but I've yet to hit any situation where it becomes a slideshow as the frame rate suffers. A portion of this might be due to the fact that its compact stages are designed to avoid overwhelming hordes on the display simultaneously.

Significant Trade-offs and Overall Verdict

Remaining are foreseeable trade-offs. Most notably, shared-screen play experiences a significant drop around 30 frames. It's also the premier exclusive release where it's apparent a noticeable variation between older OLED technology and the current LCD panel, with particularly during cinematics having a washed out quality.

But for the most part, Age of Imprisonment is a night and day difference over its predecessor, just as Z-A is to the earlier Pokémon title. Should you require confirmation that the upgraded system is meeting its performance claims, despite some limitations still in tow, both games show clearly of how Nintendo's latest is significantly improving series that struggled on old hardware.