Nintendo Switch 2 Version of Civilization VII Delivers Mid-Tier PC Performance, Says Firaxis Dev

As anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2, third-party developers are beginning to shed light on what to expect from the next-gen hybrid console—and the feedback is looking promising. One notable title in the launch lineup, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, appears to run impressively well on the new hardware, according to Firaxis Games.

Speaking with Game File during a hands-on press event, Dennis Shirk, Executive Producer at Firaxis Games, said:

“We were able to make this look like a mid-tier PC, because it's got enough power. We are extremely happy, and it’s been easy. Their software development kit is great. The customer support, developer support, and developer relations are great. They knew they wanted Civilization VII on that platform because it’s such a great showcase for the mouse. And it pairs up so well with our existing PC audience because we have crossplay.”

While Civilization VII is already available on the original Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 version is set to offer a significantly enhanced experience, benefiting from improved graphics, crossplay support, and enhanced control via the new Joy-Con 2 controllers—offering a more mouse-like interface ideal for strategy games.

Another launch title, Hogwarts Legacy, is also receiving a noticeable upgrade on the new hardware. According to Jimmie Nelson, Senior Producer for Tech, VFX, and Lighting at WB Games / Avalanche Software:

“We originally started with our Switch version. We got very good results really quickly, but we felt like we could make a higher quality product if we brought in a lot of the high-resolution assets and raised the resolution, textures, lighting, and world streaming.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 eliminates the loading bottlenecks present in the original Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy—notably, the mandatory loads before entering zones like Hogsmeade are now gone, creating a more seamless experience.

Both Civilization VII and Hogwarts Legacy will be part of the Nintendo Switch 2's launch lineup, arriving in stores on June 5, 2025.

Does the idea of PC-level performance on a handheld console make the Nintendo Switch 2 a must-buy for you?