As someone lucky enough (or just bad with money, you decide) to own every home console released in the last few years, I’ve never understood the excitement for games getting ported to theSwitch. While it’s great for those who only have access toNintendo’s hybrid handheld, outside of indies and smaller-scale projects,most ports simply run and look worse.
With that cynicism in mind, I was sceptical when theSwitch 2 was revealed with a whole library of ports under its belt. I would have been worried about the fact that the console has more third-party re-releases than exclusive games, but my raised eyebrow was quickly pushed down when theSwitch 2cemented thatNintendo is going all-in on a console that’s no longer lagging behind the competition.
While Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6 prove that the true proof is in the puddingfor the Switch 2’s third-party capabilities, neither of them are what convinced me. That honour surprisingly goes toSonic X Shadow Generations, a game I already love that feels even better now that it’s found the perfect home for its fast-paced, pick-up-and-play style.
Shadow Generations On Switch 2 Is Nearly The Same As The PS5 Version
Over the past few years, Sonic the Hedgehog has been enjoying his long-awaited modern comeback. Shadow Generations is the peak of that resurgence and one of the best games in the series thanks to its excellent level design, unique powers, and surprisingly captivating story. We all cried when Shadow did, come on.
It also happens to be packaged with another of the best Sonic games, so it’s a big win-win all around.
All of that was true of Sonic X Shadow Generations when it launched last year, and it’s just as true a few months laternow it’s arrived on Switch 2. What we have here is the most basic of ports that brings a great game over to another console without any extra bells and whistles. That might not sound exciting, but it speaks to the Switch 2’s power that seeing the Blue Blur zipping around in my hands has made it feel brand new.
I originally played Shadow Generations on the PS5, and I’m happy to report that the Switch 2 version is basically identical, with the same smooth framerate and speedy loading times.The original Switch version of Sonic X Shadow ran at a locked 30fpsand looked noticeably worse, but I can only just tell the difference between the Switch 2 and PS5 versions at a squint.
During my playthrough, Shadow Generations ran flawlessly even in the busiest moments and only felt like a handheld port when I swapped to Quality mode and saw the framerate dive like it’s the beginning of City Escape. Like most Sonic games, this is one you’re going to want to play with smooth framerate in mind, and I’m stunned that the Switch 2 is capable of running it so well.
Sonic Is Ironically The Perfect Fit For Nintendo’s Consoles
What really made Sonic X Shadows Generations on Switch 2 stand out to me is how well it runs in handheld mode.I’ve talked in the past about not really using the Switch’s standout featureand preferring to play docked, but Shadow Generations’ fast-paced and speed-focused levels made it perfect to pick up on my lunch breaks, blast through a few stages, and then put down again.
This is the case with pretty much every Sonic release out there, but the handheld versions of games like Generations, Lost World, and Forces have all been massively inferior to the console release. Normally, I would never sacrifice the silky smooth gameplay for the opportunity of playing on the toilet, but with the Switch 2, I’m ready to drop a few Eggman Bomboms in my own Chemical Plant.
I was only expecting to play through enough of Sonic X Shadow Generations on Switch 2 to get an idea of how it’s been ported, but before I knew it, I’d finished Shadow’s campaign and made my way through most of Sonic Generations. And, despite always choosing the TV when it’s an option, I’d done it all in handheld mode.
I did go back and check how Sonic X Shadow runs on the TV, and it’s pretty much perfect too. It does look a little bit muddier than the PS5, but it’s nothing too distracting.
Sonic X Shadow Generations Does Have One Downside On Switch 2, Though
As impressive as it is that the Switch 2 can handle massive triple-A games likeFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeandCyberpunk 2077, I can’t imagine wanting to strain my neck playing such long RPGs in handheld mode. For me, there’s no real value in trying them out on the Switch 2 outside of seeing how they hold up as ports, as I can just get the same experience but smoother by playing them on a PS5. That’s not the case with Sonic, though.
The only real downside to Sonic X Shadow Generations on the Switch 2 is out of the game’s hands altogether - the pricing. Despite not offering any new content to the original Switch release, only really being a performance and graphics upgrade, there’s no discount option for those who already own the game. If you bought Sonic X Shadow Generations on the Switch, you’re now looking at spending $50 to get the same game but slightly smoother.
The high price and lack of an upgrade path are going to be tough pills to swallow for most, and I’m not sure that anyone but the biggest Sonic fans will feel the need to double-dip, but Sonic X Shadow Generations’ Switch 2 release is still a great port. More than anything, it has me hopeful for the series’ future on the console and seriously considering going all in on handheld for whatever the Blur Blur does next.
