Halloween is just around the corner, and now Switch 2 owners can experience the Resident Evil 2 remake on the go — here’s why you need to play this survival horror masterpiece on Nintendo's hybrid console right now

TechRadar Verdict

The remake of Resident Evil 2 is a survival horror masterpiece, and the Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition runs consistently well on Nintendo Switch 2. With smooth frame rates, solid graphical fidelity, and clean controls, you’re getting the full experience on Nintendo’s hybrid platform with little in the way of sacrifices. It would’ve been neat to see some motion controls included for the Switch 2 release, but this edition is still a fantastic way to play what is arguably the best game in this legendary series.

Reasons to buy

• +Runs smoothly on Switch 2
• +Solid graphical fidelity in both docked and handheld mode
• +Core game is a true survival horror masterpiece

Reasons to avoid

• -Lacks motion or mouse controls
• -Rumble is slightly aggressive in handheld

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The remake of Resident Evil 2 is considered by many to be among the greatest games in Capcom’s legendary survival horror series, and it’s really not hard to see why. Stellar gunplay, immersive environments, a killer cast, and big scares…this entry has it all. And now you can experience it on the go like never before, with the game finally launching on Nintendo Switch 2 in its Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition form.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch (cloud only), Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, iOS
Release date: October 16, 2026 (Switch 2 edition)

I’ve played the entirety of Leon and Claire’s stories, dabbled in some extra modes, and tried the title out in both docked and handheld mode.

So, if you’re wondering how the game runs and plays on Nintendo’s latest hybrid system, you’re in the right place. Here’s how I’d rate the Resident Evil 2 remake on Nintendo Switch 2 after more than 20 hours of gameplay.

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Experience a legendary remake on the go

While I’m mainly here to talk about Nintendo Switch 2 performance, I’ll get this out of the way first: the Resident Evil 2 remake is survival horror at its finest. This game conjures up a truly daunting atmosphere, with haunting and iconic areas like the Raccoon City Police Station and sewers translating beautifully into a modern, HD format. The gunplay is incredibly smooth and satisfying; you truly have to manage your resources carefully if you want to survive, and everything from random skirmishes through to major boss fights feels phenomenally tense. Pair that with a set of likeable characters, an ambient soundtrack, and rewarding exploration, and you’re looking at a true classic of the genre.

But how well does this top-tier Resident Evil title translate onto Nintendo Switch 2? Very well, thankfully.

First of all, let’s talk performance. While a platform like PS5 Pro may still offer a technically superior experience, I never felt like I was sacrificing much with this Switch 2 version. This version targets 60 frames per second (fps), and my frame rates were delightfully consistent, and gameplay felt smooth, even during higher-octane action segments — when docked or in handheld. Sometimes, the movement of distant enemies seemed a bit choppy, but this never affected my ability to blast them down, and I never realized any similar issues during crucial close combat situations.

It’s a similar story when it comes to visuals too. The game looks solid on Nintendo Switch 2 with HDR support. Dark and gloomy city streets and ambiently lit indoor areas appear detailed and faithful, while character models such as the Tyrant look polished and sharp. As you’d expect, some textures don’t look quite as refined in handheld mode, with elements like Claire’s hair slightly lacking in definition, but the game still looks clear with decent contrast and lighting.

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