Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2: Night City Goes Portable in a Groundbreaking Launch

 Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2: Night City Goes Portable in a Groundbreaking Launch

The gaming world is on the brink of a seismic shift as the Nintendo Switch 2 prepares to launch on June 5, 2025, and among its stellar lineup of launch titles, one game stands out as a technical marvel and a bold statement for Nintendo’s next-gen ambitions: *Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition*. CD Projekt Red’s (CDPR) open-world action RPG, set in the neon-drenched, dystopian Night City, is a title that once seemed impossible for a Nintendo platform. Yet, here we are, days away from experiencing this sprawling masterpiece on the go. From its troubled 2020 launch to its triumphant redemption, *Cyberpunk 2077* has had a wild journey, and its arrival on the Switch 2 marks a new chapter—one that could redefine what’s possible for portable gaming. Let’s dive into why this release is generating so much buzz, what it means for Nintendo fans, and how CDPR pulled off what many thought was an “impossible port.”

 The Road to Redemption: Cyberpunk 2077’s Evolution

When *Cyberpunk 2077* first launched in December 2020, it was a high-profile disaster. Plagued by bugs, performance issues, and a launch so rocky that Sony pulled it from the PlayStation Store, the game became a cautionary tale of overhype and underdelivery. On last-gen consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, Night City felt barren, with reduced NPC density and frequent crashes. However, CDPR didn’t give up. Over the years, they released numerous patches, culminating in the transformative 2.0 update and the critically acclaimed *Phantom Liberty* expansion in 2023. By 2025, the game has sold over 30 million copies, with *Phantom Liberty* adding another 8 million units, and it’s earned an “overwhelmingly positive” rating on Steam. The narrative, setting, and graphics have been lauded as some of the best in gaming, making it a modern classic.

For Nintendo fans, the idea of playing *Cyberpunk 2077* on a Switch was a pipe dream—until now. CDPR’s history with Nintendo, particularly their stellar *Witcher 3* port for the original Switch in 2019, gave fans hope. That port, while visually compromised, was a technical marvel for fitting such a massive game onto underpowered hardware. With the Switch 2’s upgraded specs, including an NVIDIA chip with eight ARM Cortex A78C cores, a GPU with Ampere architecture, and 256GB of storage, the stage was set for something truly special. Announced on April 2, 2025, during a Nintendo Direct, *Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition* will launch alongside the Switch 2, promising to bring the full Night City experience to a portable console for the first time.

What’s in the Ultimate Edition?

The *Ultimate Edition* is the definitive way to experience *Cyberpunk 2077*. It bundles the base game with the *Phantom Liberty* expansion, a spy-thriller adventure set in the dangerous Dogtown district of Night City. You play as V, a cyberpunk mercenary, navigating a world obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification. The game offers endless possibilities for customization—skills, cybernetic enhancements, and weapons let you craft your legend however you choose. Your choices shape the story, creating a web of consequences that affect both V and the characters around them. The edition also includes all updates and additional content released since 2020, such as the Balatro collaboration side quest, ensuring Switch 2 players get the complete package.

What’s particularly impressive is the physical release. Unlike some Switch 2 games that use “Game-Key Cards” requiring downloads, *Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition* comes on a 64GB game card with no additional downloads needed to start playing. Additional language packs can be downloaded separately, but the core game and expansion are all on the cartridge—a feat that underscores CDPR’s commitment to delivering a polished experience.

 A Technical Marvel: How Does It Run on Switch 2?

The burning question for any port of this scale is performance. *Cyberpunk 2077* is a demanding game, known for pushing even high-end PCs to their limits. On the original Switch, it would have been unthinkable, but the Switch 2’s hardware upgrades make it possible. The console features a 7.9-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR compatibility in handheld mode, and it supports 4K output at 60 FPS when docked. Its custom NVIDIA chip and faster storage alleviate many of the streaming issues that plagued the game on last-gen consoles.

CDPR has shared performance targets for the Switch 2 version: 1080p at 30-40 FPS in docked mode (depending on whether you choose quality or performance mode) and 720p at 30-40 FPS in handheld mode. Early hands-on impressions from events like Nintendo’s Switch 2 Experience in London have been promising. Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter noted that the game runs surprisingly well, even in demanding areas like Dogtown, though some performance dips occur during high-speed car chases or crowded scenes. The build Leadbetter tested was seven weeks old at the time, and CDPR has since confirmed they’re still optimizing, with a final build expected to be more stable.

One key technology at play is NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which uses AI to upscale lower resolutions for better performance and image quality. Posts on X have highlighted CDPR’s confirmation that the Switch 2 version uses DLSS with dynamic resolution scaling, ranging from 540p to 1080p in docked mode and 360p to 720p in handheld mode. This allows the game to maintain a balance between visuals and performance, making Night City look vibrant even on a portable screen. Blunty’s comparison videos, shared on platforms like YouTube, show the Switch 2 version holding up impressively against PS5 and Xbox Series X, though it naturally makes compromises in graphical fidelity.

The Switch 2 version also takes full advantage of the console’s new features. You can use the magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers for motion controls during combat, enable gyroscope aiming for precision, navigate menus with touchscreen gestures, or even use the right Joy-Con as a mouse for pin-point accuracy—a feature that’s been a hit in other Switch 2 titles like *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*. Adam Badowski, Game Director of *Cyberpunk 2077*, called this “the most cyberpunk way to play,” emphasizing how the Switch 2’s hybrid nature lets you take Night City anywhere.

### Why This Port Matters for Nintendo and the Gaming Industry

The arrival of *Cyberpunk 2077* on the Switch 2 isn’t just a win for fans—it’s a statement of intent for Nintendo. The original Switch struggled with late-generation multi-platform games due to its underpowered hardware, often missing out on blockbusters like *Cyberpunk 2077* or receiving heavily compromised ports. The Switch 2, priced at $449.99, aims to bridge that gap. With third-party support from heavyweights like CDPR, Square Enix, Capcom, and more, the console is positioning itself as a do-it-all platform capable of handling both Nintendo’s first-party magic and demanding multi-platform titles.

For CDPR, this port is a chance to further cement *Cyberpunk 2077*’s legacy. After the disastrous 2020 launch, the studio has worked tirelessly to restore the game’s reputation, and bringing it to the Switch 2 is a bold move. Quest director at CDPR called the port a “hell of a benchmark” for what the Switch 2 can do, noting that it took a “f***tonne of effort” to achieve. If a game as vast and complex as *Cyberpunk 2077* can run well on Nintendo’s new hardware, it opens the door for other developers to bring their biggest titles to the platform. Games like *Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition*, *Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade*, and *Hades II* are already confirmed for the Switch 2, though not at launch, signaling a bright future for third-party support.

What to Expect When You Boot Up on Launch Day

When you fire up *Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition* on June 5, you’ll step into Night City as V, a mercenary caught in a web of corporate espionage and personal survival. The game’s open world is one of the most immersive in gaming, packed with things to do—side quests, gigs, and random encounters bring the city to life. You’ll fight, hack, and negotiate your way through a narrative shaped by your choices, with the *Phantom Liberty* expansion adding a thrilling layer of espionage involving new characters and a deadly new district.

The Switch 2 version supports cross-progression, meaning you can transfer your save data from other platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC, picking up right where you left off. This feature is a game-changer for players who’ve already invested hundreds of hours into Night City on other systems. Priced at $69.99/€69.99, the game is on the higher end for Switch 2 titles, but given the sheer amount of content and the effort put into the port, it feels justified. Early footage shared by CDPR shows the game looking stunning in docked mode at 4K30fps, with vibrant neon lights and bustling streets that capture the essence of Night City.

Challenges and Expectations

Despite the optimism, there are challenges to consider. *Cyberpunk 2077* is a massive game, and even on the Switch 2, it’s not without compromises. While the game runs well in many scenarios, areas with high NPC density or fast-paced action can cause frame rate dips, as seen in early demos. Handheld mode, while impressive at 720p, will likely show more graphical downgrades compared to docked play. Some fans on X have expressed concerns about population density, recalling how the PS4 version felt empty compared to PC. However, CDPR’s track record with *The Witcher 3* on Switch gives reason for hope—they’ve proven they can optimize for Nintendo hardware without sacrificing the core experience.

Another point of discussion is the price. At $69.99, it’s more expensive than many Switch 2 launch titles, and some fans have noted the “Nintendo tax” trend, where games on Nintendo platforms rarely go on sale. Still, the inclusion of *Phantom Liberty* and the fact that the entire game fits on a cartridge make the price feel reasonable compared to other $80 Nintendo titles.

 A New Era for Portable Gaming

*Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition* on the Nintendo Switch 2 is more than just a port—it’s a milestone for portable gaming. The ability to play a game of this scale on the go, with all its content intact, is a testament to both CDPR’s technical prowess and the Switch 2’s capabilities. For Nintendo fans, it’s a chance to experience one of the most immersive RPGs of the last decade in a whole new way. For the industry, it signals that the Switch 2 could be a serious contender for multi-platform games, challenging the notion that Nintendo consoles are only for first-party titles.

As we count down to June 5, the excitement is palpable. Whether you’re a longtime *Cyberpunk 2077* fan looking to revisit Night City or a Nintendo gamer eager to explore it for the first time, this launch promises to be a defining moment. Will you be chippin’ in with V on launch day? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for more gaming news as we head into the Switch 2 era!