The Display Speed Issue with the Nintendo Switch 2: An Explanation of the Sluggish Performance
Revamped Take:
Let's dive into the 120Hz display of the Switch 2 - it's finally joining the big leagues, bringing those sleek, modern games to life with smoother gameplay. But hold up! Reports have it that the Switch 2's 60Hz mode might be lagging behind, forcing your gameplay to feel... well, sluggish.
On June 13, the tech-savvy brains at Yaka Mochi's blog, Chimolog.co, reported that the Switch 2's display response time is a staggering 17.06 milliseconds at 60Hz. The real kicker? You can find some gaming monitors boasting a response time as quick as 0.03 milliseconds.
Here's why that jarring slow response time matters and what it hints about the Switch 2's future gaming landscape.
Pray tell, what does the Switch 2's reaction time mean for action-packed games?
Missed beats by even a few milliseconds can set off alarm bells in competitive games or even your basic shooter, which explains why Cyberpunk 2077 felt a bit sluggish during my initial test spin. And those rhythm game enthusiasts out there, brace yourself – you're off rhythm.
Yaka Mochi ran tests on the Switch 2 with the fastest response time of 8.88ms and the slowest at 27.46ms, all while in 60Hz mode. Not-so-fun-fact: the reviewer couldn't figure out how to adjust the Switch 2's refresh rate for in-depth testing. Typically, a higher refresh rate means a longer response time – but we can't say for sure if the Switch 2's 120Hz mode would correct the already sluggish response time.
Curious minds compared the Switch 2's display to a horde of other 60Hz displays, with the slowest one reaching 11.06ms and the fastest breaching the 0.18ms mark. Since Nintendo won't be launching a new Switch anytime soon, gamers can expect this weakness to linger in fast-paced games that make their way to the Nintendo Switch 2.
The impact? Brace yourself for some choppy gameplay. Not only will you feel it while gaming, but you'll also see it. Games may end up looking blurry due to the time it takes for the image to transition between frames.
Wish we had more good stuff coming our way, like an OLED display for the Switch 2. Guess we'll just have to cross our fingers for the Switch 2 OLED (still waiting).
Pro Tip:Want a potential solution to the slow response time? Look into an external adapter for your Switch 2, designed to boost the display's refresh rate, which could help mitigate those blurry visuals. Happy gaming!
- The display of the Switch 2, despite its 120Hz capability, might not deliver optimal performance in action-packed games due to a reported slow response time of 17.06 milliseconds at 60Hz.
- The slow response time of the Switch 2's display, especially in competitive games, could lead to missed beats and affect overall performance, as demonstrated in tests with Cyberpunk 2077.
- In-depth testing of the Switch 2's refresh rate adjustment was not possible, leaving unanswered questions about the potential improvement in the 120Hz mode.
- Compared to other 60Hz displays, the Switch 2's display response time stands out as one of the slowest, causing concerns for fast-paced games Such sluggishness may persist in games transitioning to the Nintendo Switch 2, as Nintendo has not announced plans for a new console yet.
- The lag in response time could result in choppy gameplay, making games appear blurry due to the time it takes for the image to transition between frames.
- A potential solution to the slow response time might be found in an external adapter for the Switch 2, designed to boost the display's refresh rate and mitigate blurry visuals.
- The lack of an OLED display in the Switch 2 is a missed opportunity, leaving users hopeful for future improvements, such as the Switch 2 OLED model (potentially still to come).
