Over the past couple of days I’ve seen some individuals utilizing the Swap 2 as a cudgel with which to knock down the new ROG Xbox Ally X. And admittedly, comparisons of video games like Cyberpunk 2077 operating on each definitely don’t look almost as stark as the value distinction between the 2 handhelds. Nevertheless, I don’t see that as a loss for the brand new premium PC gaming handheld a lot as a win for Nintendo’s newest console.
I’ve been going again and replaying a good bit of CD Projekt Pink’s 2020 open-world RPG on each machines and incessantly discover myself straining to really feel a big distinction. I run by means of the streets of the Phantom Liberty enlargement’s Canine City on the Xbox Ally X utilizing AMD’s really helpful settings and the in-game graphics on excessive whereas within the efficiency energy mode. I get 40-50fps, the lighting seems to be respectable, and the textures are simply detailed and clear sufficient to not draw my eye, letting me keep immersed on this planet and motion.
Then I transfer over to Swap 2 due to the (sometimes finnicky) cloudsave syncing characteristic. Whereas Cyberpunk 2077 will run round 40fps in efficiency mode on Nintendo’s hybrid handheld, I don’t discover the additional smoothness that value it. As a substitute, I choose the additional layer of readability and visible vibrancy from the standard graphics mode. The motion continues to be clean. The world feels a lot the identical. Fairly quickly I can barely keep in mind what regarded completely different with the sport operating on the Xbox Ally X, not to mention fear about going again to the extra highly effective {hardware}.
I’ve spent quite a lot of minutes scrutinizing a handful of screenshots of the sport operating on each units and man, it takes some effort to start out recognizing the variations.
Are you able to inform which is which? Stare lengthy sufficient and also you’ll begin to see some bits of the second picture that look rather less distinct, particularly the farther you go into the background. The shadows and lighting aren’t as easily combined in the second both. After a number of moments of intently looking out it for imperfection, you would possibly, like me, come away pondering it simply seems to be a bit extra brittle general. The second picture is certainly from the Swap 2 operating the sport in handheld mode. Does it look $550 worse? Not even shut.
The Swap 2 model of Star Wars Outlaws additionally appears to carry up fairly effectively in sure comparisons. There’s much less element. The framerate is worse. But it surely’s not essentially that a lot much less element, or that a lot worse of a framerate.
Extra comparisons of ROG Ally X vs Swap 2,for Star Wars Outlaws and Hogwarts legacy. Swap 2 once more for essentially the most half obliterating the ROG in picture constancy.
Swap 2 can be rumored to be getting an improve for its DLSS tech quickly,so it’ll get even higherhttps://t.co/cL3iRC5hOb https://t.co/PXIfyeidOb pic.twitter.com/mnGEstkn5A— 💫Sonicpulsar💫 (@sonicpulsar) October 16, 2025
It’s bizarre to see Nintendo {hardware} holding its personal somewhat than preventing for its life in opposition to extra highly effective alternate options. For now, not less than, the Swap 2 feels extra than simply “good enough.”
Now evaluating the Swap 2 to the Xbox Ally X isn’t utterly apples-to-apples. The Asus-made, Xbox-branded handheld has a barely smaller display screen, it runs Home windows, and it performs tons extra video games that weren’t painstakingly optimized for it like Cyberpunk 2077 was for the Swap 2. The truth that a five-year-old recreation doesn’t look lightyears higher on the one doesn’t utterly disqualify it.
The brand new Ally X additionally affords a potential consumer all kinds of choices and perks that the Swap 2 doesn’t, not least of all a pair of ergonomic grips and thumbsticks that really really feel nice to carry and use proper out of the field. There are additionally loads of moments when it does look distinctly superior, along with gaining access to an enormous library of PC video games which may by no means come to Nintendo’s platform.
However the match-up does recommend a promising future for the Swap 2. We’ll should see how the the completed port of Remaining Fantasy VII Remake runs on it when it arrives early subsequent 12 months, however what I examined again in August felt equally spectacular. Borderlands 4 and Elden Ring may also form up properly. And given its success with Star Wars Outlaws, I’m anticipating the lately leaked port of Murderer’s Creed Shadows on Swap 2 to be spectacular as effectively.
Look, that is solely the primary 12 months of the Swap 2’s life. We might be in a state of affairs come 2027 the place most new blockbusters nonetheless should skip Nintendo’s platform, or depend on ports which are so compromised they will’t be confidently really helpful to anybody however essentially the most determined Swap 2 proprietor with nowhere else to play.
That’s definitely the way it felt with video games like The Witcher 3 and The Outer Worlds on the unique Swap. These have been fascinating experiments that reminded you ways restricted and dated the Swap {hardware} in the end nonetheless was, not less than for anybody working with it who wasn’t Nintendo. I hope we get a number of good years on the Swap 2 earlier than it arrives at an identical destiny.
