Hands-On With Nintendo Switch 2: Borderlands 4, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and More

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Following the successful launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, marked by the introduction of Mario Kart World, numerous third-party games adaptations, and enhanced versions of classic Nintendo Switch games, Nintendo is readying its next wave of releases for this top-selling handheld device. The advanced hardware of the Nintendo Switch 2 makes it feasible to port several upcoming titles from recent releases like Elden Ring and Star Wars Outlaws, which might have struggled significantly on its outdated predecessor. However, there are also original games being developed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 such as Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Kirby Air Riders.

At PAX West in Seattle, Washington, I went to a special event highlighting the upcoming game releases for the Nintendo Switch 2. Some of the games I tried out included Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, and Borderlands 4. I was taken aback by how smoothly some of these titles ran, but others struggled to match this performance, despite the enhanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2. The native Nintendo Switch 2 games, Kirby Air Riders and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, however, were quite promising.

Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition Is a Surprisingly Well-Done Nintendo Switch 2 Port

Initially, “Star Wars Outlaws” is an impressively well-crafted port. It’s a challenging game that pushed my older PC to its limits, and I wasn’t expecting the Nintendo Switch 2 version to run as smoothly as it does. Although the handheld version doesn’t match the console and PC versions in terms of performance, I found the demo to be enjoyable. In the demo, I completed the Toshara Fueling Station mission, which is a great example of “Star Wars Outlaws'” stealth and combat mechanics, culminating in a space battle and a dramatic transition to Toshara’s surface. Despite its unexpectedly strong performance, “Star Wars Outlaws” doesn’t lose much visually: there were few noticeable visual glitches, and the graphics were sharp. Performance did drop when I landed on Mirogana, Toshara’s main hub and one of the more graphically intensive locations in the game. However, it never became unplayable.

The team behind the game “Star Wars Outlaws” didn’t just focus on creating an accurate version for the Nintendo Switch 2. They went above and beyond by incorporating features that take advantage of the console’s unique capabilities. For instance, you can use the touch screen to easily zoom and pan the map, select nodes during the hacking minigame with a simple touch, and even aim using the motion controls. Players have the option to utilize these innovative functions, showcasing the developers’ dedication to providing an engaging and well-thought-out port. For Nintendo Switch gamers tired of the usual open-world games like Zelda, or Star Wars enthusiasts intrigued by a unique Jedi-less Star Wars game, this new title offers an exciting alternative to sink their teeth into.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Is a Leap Forward for the Series

In a significant shift for the series, Pokemon Legends: Z-A revolutionizes the gameplay experience compared to previous installments. Although the essence of Pokemon games has progressed significantly over time, their core turn-based battle system has remained constant. However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A breaks new ground by introducing a real-time combat system that echoes classic Final Fantasy titles. Instead of taking turns, Pokemon abilities are activated based on timed cooldowns, creating a familiar gameplay rhythm where you utilize one Pokemon’s ability and then transition to another one.

In this game, the fighting system mirrors the strategic play style of Pokémon, making it more captivating at every turn. During fights against Mega-Evolved Pokémon, players should be mindful to evade attacks targeting the trainer as well. The confrontation I faced wasn’t excessively complex, giving me plenty of time to attend to my Pokémon while avoiding occasional attacks. For those concerned that a dodging mechanic in a Pokémon game could make things overly complicated, it appears to be far from resembling the intricate boss battles found in Dark Souls, instead serving as an enhancement within a Pokémon battle.

Z-A may not only motivate trainers to capture all Pokemon but also to thoroughly investigate every corner of its map.

Elden Ring Tarnished Edition’s Switch 2 Port Is in a Tough Spot

As a devoted fan, I was eager to dive into Elden Ring’s mobile adventure with Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on my handheld device. Excited by the addition of two new starting classes, a wealth of new gear, and customization options for Torrent, I chose the Knight of Ides class, a natural fit for my preference of sword-and-board gameplay. Equipped with a greatsword and shield, I felt right at home – unfortunately, the performance of Elden Ring on the hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2 seemed to present an insurmountable obstacle for me to fully enjoy this new class experience.

As a gamer, I’ve come to expect lower framerates on handhelds, but with Elden Ring, the precision and timing of gameplay are crucial. If the performance isn’t smooth enough, the tight, satisfying gameplay becomes frustratingly unresponsive instead. Unlike Star Wars Outlaws, a more recent open-world title, the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Elden Ring doesn’t quite reach the level of acceptability for me.

As an ardent fan, I must admit that the fresh features in the Tarnished Edition, such as the new classes, gear, and customization options, are truly intriguing. However, I can’t help but feel a bit apprehensive about the game’s potential on the Nintendo Switch 2. For players who are diving into the world of FromSoftware for the first time or those who have smoothly enjoyed the game on other platforms, it might feel overly challenging and jarring.

Fortunately, FromSoftware has a history of providing updates for its games, so I’m hopeful that with some adjustments, the game’s performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 will significantly improve. If they manage to iron out the kinks, Elden Ring could undeniably become a triumph on the Nintendo Switch 2, much like Star Wars Outlaws, given its appeal to the platform’s thriving open-world gaming community.

Kirby Air Riders Is a Blast

The game titled “Kirby Air Riders” was undeniably one of the highlights, offering a vibrant, family-friendly, and entertaining multiplayer experience. Initially appearing like a kart racer, Nintendo categorizes Kirby Air Riders primarily as an “action game featuring vehicles,” comparable to the intensity of Twisted Metal. While racing against well-known Kirby characters on different tracks forms the core of the gameplay, it’s heavily focused on action. Unlike many other games, in this one, the throttle is always engaged, leaving players to focus primarily on when to brake. This allows for more attention to be given to other aspects of the game mechanics, such as wiggling the thumbstick to attack nearby riders or braking around a turn to build up a boost for a quick escape. However, since the boost is charged by braking, it can feel unusual during open-ended city battles when attempting to steer towards a power-up but unintentionally boosting past it upon releasing the brakes.

In Kirby Air Riders, the city battles are where the vehicle action dominates. This mode allows players to freely roam a vast, explorable urban landscape filled with power-ups. As you gather as many power-ups as possible, occasional events will pop up for extra rewards. During these events, you can compete against other players or NPCs for a brief period. After some time of collecting and competing, the mode transitions to a recap phase where you’re shown your gathered power-ups, then given several main event options to pick from based on what power-ups you have. For instance, if you’ve amassed many combat-oriented power-ups but fewer speed ones, you might opt for an arena brawl instead of a more challenging mobility event. The entire process typically lasts between 10 to 15 minutes.

The game titled “Kirby Air Riders” offers an aesthetically pleasing experience that runs flawlessly on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Its diverse playstyles, stemming from numerous characters and vehicles, ensure a compellingly replayable racing game. Although the vehicle combat and peculiar controls might initially present a challenge for those transitioning from “Mario Kart”, fans who cherish the nostalgia of “Kirby Air Ride” on the Nintendo GameCube are in store for a delightful return.

Borderlands 4 Is Promising, But Not the Best on the Switch 2

Following my immersive experience with the action and character development in Borderlands 3, its over-the-top space influencer narrative wasn’t as appealing. The more realistic approach of Borderlands 4 is a welcome change. It’s unfortunate that the brief demo didn’t showcase a substantial storyline to demonstrate this shift. Instead, I found myself in a location called The Lathe near the Vault of Inceptus, where I was straight away engaged in fierce battles against Seneschal adversaries. These encounters took place on a set of platforms linked by jump pads; after defeating numerous waves, I’d leap to the next platform and continue the fight.

As a seasoned Siren user, I opted for Vex during this demonstration, a character who can call upon three replicas of two distinct phantoms. One summon is a close-combat fighter, while the other inflicts damage from afar. The “pet class” is an innovative take on the Siren class, retaining its signature spellcasting gameplay but avoiding repetition of earlier series versions. These summons prove to be quite beneficial, acting as a handy distraction. Vex appears to be an excellent choice for solo players due to her companions’ capacity to absorb damage and attention, and it will be intriguing to witness how her diverse build options shape additional playstyles.

During the battle, there was an abundance of loot available, so I grabbed my share and tested out every kind of weapon I could lay my hands on. Sleek charging sniper rifles, distinctive Tediore throwable guns, shotguns, and launchers all performed as expected-thanks to Borderlands’ exceptional gunplay mechanics. The weapons felt fantastic, but it was apparent that the enemies required quite a bit of damage before they would fall. With a more developed character setup and superior weapons, combat might become quicker-paced.

Unfortunately, the performance of Borderlands 4 on the presumed Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t exceptional, which somewhat diminishes what could have been an exhilarating gameplay experience. Despite this, I was still able to shoot and fight effectively during the demo. However, action-packed games tend to lose their charm when performance falters in a manner that might be overlooked in slower-paced games. Yet, it was still a fairly enjoyable demonstration. If the Nintendo Switch 2 is the sole option for Borderlands fans to play the latest installment, this port should suffice in appeasing their desire.

Game Rant was provided travel and lodging for the purposes of this preview.

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2025-09-08 13:45