Switch 1 vs Switch 2: How 20 Top Games Compare
We compared 20 popular games across both consoles. Most stayed great, some got better, and a few surprised us with lower ratings.
The Nintendo Switch 2 promised better hardware, but does that actually translate to better gaming experiences? We dug into our community ratings to compare how 20 popular titles perform on Switch 1 versus Switch 2. The results are mostly encouraging, with a few genuine surprises along the way.
Our rating system goes from Rusty (unplayable) through Copper, Silver, Gold, and Diamond (flawless). Every rating comes from real player reports submitted to SwitchDB, not manufacturer claims or spec sheets.
Stayed Perfect: Diamond on Both Consoles
These games already ran flawlessly on Switch 1 and continue to deliver a perfect experience on Switch 2. No regressions, no issues.
Super Mario Odyssey (Metacritic: 97)
Super Mario Odyssey is the gold standard of Switch platforming. Diamond on both consoles means this masterpiece runs without a single hitch regardless of which hardware you own. Load times may be slightly faster on Switch 2, but the gameplay experience is identical.
Hades (Metacritic: 94)
Hades was already a technical showcase on the original Switch, running at a locked 60fps with no drops during its most chaotic encounters. Switch 2 owners can expect the same buttery smooth experience. Supergiant Games nailed the optimization from day one.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Metacritic: 93)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains one of the best-optimized games on any Nintendo platform. Diamond across both consoles confirms what millions of players already knew: this racer simply works, every time, on every track.
Hades II (Metacritic: 93)
Hades II follows in its predecessor's footsteps with flawless performance on both consoles. Supergiant's sequel is just as well-optimized, earning Diamond ratings across the board.
Divinity: Original Sin II (Metacritic: 93)
Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Divinity: Original Sin II is a massive RPG that many doubted could run well on portable hardware. It proved the skeptics wrong on Switch 1 and continues to do so on Switch 2, with Diamond ratings on both.
Minishoot' Adventures (Metacritic: 95)
Minishoot' Adventures blends twin-stick shooting with Zelda-like exploration. This indie gem runs perfectly on both consoles, proving that smart design and clean optimization matter more than raw hardware power.
Got Better: Upgraded Performance on Switch 2
These titles had noticeable issues on Switch 1 but now run significantly better on Switch 2. If you held off on any of these because of performance concerns, the new hardware is your green light.
Bayonetta 3: Silver to Diamond (Metacritic: 90)
Bayonetta 3 was a visual showpiece that pushed the original Switch past its limits. Frame drops during large-scale battles and resolution dips were common complaints. On Switch 2, the game finally runs the way PlatinumGames intended, jumping from Silver all the way to Diamond.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Silver to Gold (Metacritic: 90)
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 struggled on Switch 1 with dynamic resolution drops and frame rate dips in its open environments. Switch 2 smooths things out considerably, promoting it from Silver to Gold. Still not perfect, but a much more enjoyable experience.
Dead Cells: Gold to Diamond (Metacritic: 90)
Dead Cells ran well on Switch 1 but occasionally stumbled during its most particle-heavy moments. On Switch 2, every run is silky smooth, earning that Diamond rating through consistently perfect frame pacing.
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen - Silver to Diamond (Metacritic: 86)
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
2K Games
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen was one of the most ambitious Switch ports ever attempted, and it showed. Long load times, frame drops, and crashes plagued the Switch 1 version. Switch 2 transforms it into the portable strategy experience it always wanted to be.
Pillars of Eternity: Copper to Diamond (Metacritic: 81)
Pillars of Eternity
Obsidian Entertainment
Pillars of Eternity had one of the roughest Switch 1 ports in the library, earning a Copper rating for persistent bugs, crashes, and save corruption. The Switch 2 version is a redemption story, running so well it earns a Diamond. This is arguably the biggest improvement on the entire list.
Mortal Kombat 11: Copper to Diamond (Metacritic: 80)
Mortal Kombat 11 suffered from heavy visual downgrades and inconsistent performance on Switch 1. The Switch 2 version delivers the fighting experience NetherRealm envisioned, with drastically improved visuals and stable frame rates pushing it to Diamond.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Gold to Diamond (Metacritic: 87)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was already excellent on Switch 1, but certain stages with eight players could push the hardware. Switch 2 handles everything the game throws at it, upgrading it to a well-deserved Diamond.
Stayed Good: Solid Performance Across Both
These highly rated games earned Gold on both consoles. They run well everywhere, though Switch 2 owners may notice minor improvements in load times.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Metacritic: 95)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom earns Gold on both platforms. While the game runs well, complex Ultrahand builds and busy areas can still cause minor dips on both consoles. A dedicated Switch 2 patch could potentially push this to Diamond, but even without one, the experience is very good.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Metacritic: 95)
Super Mario Bros. Wonder delivers its creative platforming at a consistently high level on both consoles. Gold across the board means you're getting a polished experience regardless of your hardware.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Metacritic: 93)
Fire Emblem: Three Houses was a strategy RPG that ran comfortably within its means on Switch 1, and nothing changes on Switch 2. The monastery sections remain the main bottleneck, keeping this at Gold rather than Diamond on both platforms.
Surprisingly Worse: Lower Ratings on Switch 2
A small number of games actually received lower community ratings on Switch 2 than on Switch 1. These drops are typically related to backward compatibility quirks rather than the games themselves being worse.
Cassette Beasts: Diamond to Silver (Metacritic: 100)
Cassette Beasts is the most dramatic downgrade on this list, falling from Diamond to Silver. This creature-collection RPG ran beautifully on Switch 1. On Switch 2, backward compatibility issues introduced performance problems. Developer Bytten Studio has acknowledged the Switch 2 issues and is working on fixes. This is a case where the game itself is not at fault.
Portal: Companion Collection - Diamond to Gold (Metacritic: 100)
Portal: Companion Collection dropped from Diamond to Gold on Switch 2 due to backward compatibility hiccups. Early reports indicated that Portal 2 in particular could crash on startup when connected online. Nintendo's firmware updates have addressed many of these issues, but enough minor quirks remain to keep it at Gold for now.
Key Takeaways
Out of our 20 selected games:
- 6 stayed Diamond across both consoles, proving that well-optimized games remain flawless on new hardware
- 7 got better on Switch 2, with some making dramatic leaps from Copper or Silver all the way to Diamond
- 3 stayed Gold, delivering solid experiences on both platforms
- 2 got worse due to backward compatibility issues, not hardware limitations
- The biggest winners: Pillars of Eternity (Copper to Diamond) and Mortal Kombat 11 (Copper to Diamond)
- The biggest loser: Cassette Beasts (Diamond to Silver), though fixes are in progress
The overall picture is positive. The vast majority of Switch 1 games run as well or better on Switch 2. The handful of regressions are backward compatibility issues that Nintendo and developers are actively patching, not fundamental hardware problems. If you are upgrading to Switch 2, your existing library is in good hands.
Want to check how your favorite games perform? Browse our full games directory and filter by platform to see community ratings for every title in our database.
