Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2
Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2 brings optimized graphics, smoother gameplay, updated content, and cross-progression support, giving players a polished open-world experience on the go. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2, and fans who have been waiting to experience this massive adventure on the portable console won’t have to wait much longer. The game officially arrives on December 2nd, and Ubisoft has shared a detailed description of how they managed to bring such a large, visually rich open-world game to Nintendo’s next-generation handheld hybrid. The Switch 2 version follows the game’s original launch in March, where Shadows received strong praise for its story, visuals, and ambitious design. Set in 16th-century Japan, the game centers around two main characters, Yasuke and Fujibayashi Nao, whose contrasting backgrounds and playing styles provide a layered and deep narrative. Critics highlighted its beautiful environments and deep world-building, with many calling it one of the most influential Assassin’s Creed titles in years. Now, Nintendo players will get a chance to see what all the excitement is about.
Ubisoft confirms that the Switch 2 version comes with all the updates released so far, ensuring that players get the same modern, improved experience available on other platforms. The only missing piece is the Claws of Avaji expansion, which is scheduled to release sometime in 2026. Apart from that, everything else is included in the base package. Ubisoft also clarified that future updates for the Switch 2 will be released at the same time as updates for other systems. This means Switch players won’t have to wait or be left behind when new improvements or content drops arrive. Additionally, the developers mentioned plans for further optimization patches that will continue to improve performance over time. The team is even working toward enabling keyboard and mouse compatibility when the Switch 2 is docked, which is something rarely seen in console gaming and a surprising but exciting feature.
The main focus of Ubisoft’s update was performance. Considering the size of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the complexity of its world, many players wondered how well it could run on a portable console. Ubisoft says it’s aiming for a steady 30 fps in both handheld and docked modes. Achieving this required substantial code-level work to adapt the game to the Switch 2’s ARM-based architecture. Many internal systems were optimized, including cloud simulation, cloth physics, and other demanding elements that typically require robust hardware. In some cases, some simulations were scaled down to reduce GPU load without significantly harming the experience. The behavior of texture quality, draw distance, and level of detail were also fine-tuned to ensure that the game maintained its performance targets.
Ubisoft stressed that they wanted to keep the world as immersive and visually appealing as possible. While some compromises had to be made to fit within the memory and processing limitations of the Switch 2, the developers believe they have retained the atmosphere, colors, and design that made the original version so beautiful. For example, instead of using ray-traced global illumination—which the Switch 2 technically supports—Ubisoft opted for baked-in global illumination to reduce memory usage. This change helps maintain stability and performance without taking away from the game’s realistic lighting. Crowded environments, such as busy markets or large gatherings, tend to feature slightly fewer NPCs than more powerful platforms, simply because introducing too many characters at once will impact performance. Nevertheless, Ubisoft says that the environmental richness remains “largely intact,” meaning the world should still feel alive and realistic.
One of the most exciting upgrades coming to the Switch 2 version is support for DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). This technology uses AI upscaling to create sharper images, better texture detail, and more accurate colors while reducing the load on the GPU. With DLSS enabled, games can run smoothly and look cleaner even at lower native resolutions. Ubisoft explains that this not only improves the visuals but also helps reduce latency and boost frame stability. Essentially, DLSS enhances the sound quality of games, making them sound better than they do on portable systems.
Handheld mode naturally comes with some limitations, as it uses a smaller amount of power than docked mode. Ubisoft made adjustments to image clarity, drawing distances, and some detail levels to ensure the game remained smooth on the fly. Despite these changes, the handheld mode has something beneficial: variable refresh rate support, commonly known as VRR. VRR makes gameplay smoother by synchronizing the screen’s refresh rate with the game’s frame rate. Ubisoft also created a special algorithm that keeps VRR active at 30 fps, which is unusual as VRR usually works best at higher frame rates. This means handheld gameplay should be more stable and responsive than expected.
For docked players, the game offers full HDR (High Dynamic Range) support. HDR enhances contrast, brightness, and color depth, making night scenes, sunrises, lantern-lit villages, and other mood-heavy lighting feel more immersive. Combined with DLSS, the docked experience should look much better than fans have come to expect from a portable-first console.
In addition to performance and graphics, Ubisoft added some Switch 2-exclusive features that make the game feel more natural on Nintendo’s hardware. Touchscreen functionality is included, allowing players to navigate maps, menus, stores, and hideouts by simply tapping the screen. It makes simple interactions feel faster and more intuitive, especially in handheld mode. Another major feature coming to Switch 2 is full cross-progression through Ubisoft Connect. Players who started Assassin’s Creed Shadows on another system, like PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, can pick up where they left off on Switch 2 and continue their journey seamlessly. This is especially useful for those who want the flexibility to play both at home and outdoors.
Ubisoft also confirmed that more improvements are planned beyond launch. These include ongoing optimization work and the previously mentioned keyboard and mouse compatibility, which may completely change how some players access combat or secret sections when docked. With Ubisoft continuing to support the game for a long time, Switch 2 players can look forward to a version that continues to get better over time.
Everything revealed so far shows how much effort Ubisoft put into making Assassin’s Creed Shadows run smoothly on Switch 2 without losing its identity. Although compromises were necessary, the core experience remains intact. The game still offers a massive world, detailed environments, intense lighting, and a rich story starring two iconic heroes. Features like DLSS, HDR, VRR, touchscreen controls, and cross-progression help enhance the Switch 2 experience in unique ways.
For fans looking to see feudal Japan anywhere, the Switch 2 version looks promising, polished, and surprisingly feature-packed. Ubisoft has shown a clear commitment to delivering the full Assassin’s Creed experience on Nintendo’s new hardware, and with the game launching on December 2nd, players won’t have to wait long to see the results for themselves. Whether you’re getting into the series for the first time or returning after playing on another platform, this version of Shadows is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Nintendo releases of the year.