Witcher 3 on Switch 2 vs PC: IGN Says It Looks 'Fantastic'

IGN's new comparison video shows The Witcher 3 running on Switch 2 at 720p handheld / 1080p docked with 30-40fps and VRR — and it's a huge leap over the original Switch.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on Switch 2 just got put head-to-head with a maxed-out PC build, and honestly? The little console holds up better than you'd think.

IGN dropped a new graphics comparison video pitting the Switch 2 version against the PC version running on an RTX 5090 at max settings. On Switch 2, you're looking at 720p in handheld mode and 1080p docked, with frame rates hovering between 30 and 40fps and VRR (variable refresh rate) support to smooth things out.

Yes, there's an obvious resolution gap. But IGN still called the Switch 2 version "fantastic looking." No ray tracing here, but the port packs a bunch of Switch 2-exclusive tricks: touchscreen support, gyro aiming, and Joy-Con mouse controls. You can set mouse mode to always-on or dynamic — meaning it kicks in automatically when you rest the Joy-Con on a flat surface.

There's also a neat nod to Cyberpunk 2077's Switch 2 port: lift your right Joy-Con to make Geralt whistle for Roach. Little immersion touches like that go a long way.

On the PC side, you're getting DLSS 4.5 and path tracing, so if you're chasing the absolute best visuals, PC is still the way to go. That ceiling is way higher, and it's not close.

But the Switch 2 version's real value is portability and smart feature adaptation. Nintendo Life's own comparison notes a "quantum leap" over the original Switch version — texture detail and overall clarity are massively improved, and the new lighting effects really stand out. If you already own The Witcher 3 on Switch, the Switch 2 version comes as a free upgrade.

So whether you're replaying on the couch or on the go, there's never been a better handheld way to hunt monsters. Are you picking up the Switch 2 version, or sticking with PC? Let us know in the comments.