Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Cyberpunk 2077 Throws Down the Handheld Gauntlet (and the Winner Might Surprise You)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Digital Foundry pitted the upcoming Switch 2 against the Steam Deck in *Cyberpunk 2077*, and while the Switch 2 dominates when docked, the Steam Deck holds its own as a pure handheld thanks to its superior HDR display.
Right, so the folks over at Digital Foundry (bless their tech-obsessed hearts) have been wrestling with a question that's been burning in the minds of handheld gamers everywhere: How does the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 stack up against the Steam Deck when running the notoriously demanding *Cyberpunk 2077*? And fair dinkum, the results are a bit of a head-scratcher.
According to their deep dive (which you can check out in full at Eurogamer), the Switch 2 absolutely *trounces* the Steam Deck when it's docked and running on a bigger screen. We're talking better performance, higher resolutions, and a generally smoother experience. CD Projekt RED even reckons the Switch 2 port is the best handheld experience available. Blimey! The secret sauce? A custom version of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) that gives the Switch 2 a significant leg up in the upscaling department. Plus, some seriously clever under-the-hood tweaks to the game itself, like reworked shadows and screen-space reflections. Basically, CDPR did a proper job optimizing for Nintendo's new hardware.
But here's where things get interesting. When you're actually *holding* the things and playing on the go, the Steam Deck puts up a much better fight. Sure, its screen is a lower resolution (800p compared to the Switch 2's 1080p), but the Steam Deck OLED’s HDR display is a game-changer. Digital Foundry reckons the Switch 2's HDR is... well, let's just say it's not quite the real deal. There's also evidence that the Steam Deck's CPU performance is better, leading to smoother frame rates in some situations, though for the most part it’s GPU limited.
Power efficiency is another huge win for the Switch 2. Digital Foundry's tests show it drawing significantly less power than the Steam Deck, especially when docked. We're talking almost half the wattage! That said, the Steam Deck OLED has a much larger battery, so in the end, you're probably looking at similar battery life between the two.
So, what's the takeaway? It seems like the Switch 2 benefits massively from its dedicated, optimized port of *Cyberpunk 2077*, especially when you're playing on a TV. But the Steam Deck's strengths – particularly its HDR display and potential CPU advantage – make it a worthy contender for handheld supremacy. And, as Digital Foundry points out, the fact that the Steam Deck is running a PC game through a compatibility layer puts the Switch 2's accomplishments into even sharper relief.
Ultimately, it seems like it boils down to what you value most: raw power and docked performance, or a more refined handheld experience with a stunning display. Either way, it's a good time to be a portable gamer. Fair play to both Nintendo and Valve for pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Tags: Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Cyberpunk 2077, Handheld Gaming, Digital Foundry
Original article: Eurogamer