We just saw The Witcher 3 Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 this week, and thanks to Digital Foundry, we have new technical details covering frame rate, resolution, and more.
Much of the analysis focuses on the improvements here compared to the previous Nintendo Switch version. Needless to say, this is a huge upgrade with better visual features, improved performance, and more.
Here’s the full roundup of tidbits:
– 55.5GB on Switch 2 vs. 39.1GB for Switch 1
– Higher quality assets on Switch 2
– Texture asset resolution is improved
– Pre-rendered cutscenes have higher bit rate endcodes
– Remaster largely handled by CD Projekt Red with some help from Virtuos
– No raytracing on Switch 2
– Does have reworked lighting, upgraded physically based textures, and new shading for grass and vegetation
– Also has quality of life improvements, new combat systems, skill tree menus, and Joy-Con mouse/gyro controls
– Switch 1 ran at dynamic 720p docked/540p handheld with CDPR’s anti-aliasing
– The Witcher 3 Remastered Switch 2 docked resolution is dynamic 540p to 1080p range
– DLSS seems to resolve to final 1080p target
– 360p to 720p range when in handheld mode
– 720p target with DLSS
– Same visual settings whether played docked or portable
– Lower resolution does impact screen space reflections and depth of field in cutscenes
– Switch uses more precise ambient occlusion setting compared to Switch 1
– Local lights now cast dynamic shadows to the environment
– Switch 2 improves on LODs for foliage and geometry, meaning less visual pop in
– The Witcher 3 Remastered has new lighting system, new grass elements and materials, and reworked color grading
– 40 FPS cap in docked and portable play
– This only works if you’re outputting to a 120hz display
– 60hz caps at 30 FPS instead
– 40 FPS cap works well in broad open areas and less demanding areas, but not sustainable overall
– Switch 1 was capped at 30 FPS, but often delved into the 20s and even under that
– It’s advised to play on Switch 2 at 30 FPS, since it’s stable at that cap
Watch the full analysis on The Witcher 3 Remastered below for more information about frame rate, resolution, and other details.
Tech Analysis
The game is out now on the Nintendo eShop worldwide. For those that missed it, there’s currently a way to get the game for free if you can find a physical version of the Nintendo Switch version – full details here.
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