by Devil May Cry 5 marks yet another addition to the growing library of Capcom titles ported to the Switch 2, further solidifying the publisher's support for Nintendo's latest hybrid hardware. Unlike more recent entries in the RE Engine portfolio, this title relies on older technology, having originally debuted on last-gen consoles and PC back in 2019. Does this port therefore manage to exceed its more modern stablemates in terms of performance and image quality? And is this the definitive portable version of DMC5?
Technically speaking, the original Devil May Cry 5 offers a competent but dated visual experience. Because it arrived early in RE Engine's history, the game lacks some of the cutting-edge graphical techniques found in modern releases. Reflections are primarily handled via cubemaps, which often miss the definition expected from contemporary solutions, while precalculated GI can leave certain objects lacking in lighting depth. Furthermore, shadow accuracy remains a mixed bag, with occasional inconsistencies appearing in scenes involving multiple light sources. Hardly boundary-pushing then, though the game's cutscene direction and character work still impresses.
Where the port truly excels is in terms of performance. When operating in its default 60Hz docked mode, the Switch 2 maintains a remarkably consistent 60fps, delivering a fluid and essentially flawless experience. That's a significant improvement over the PS4 version, which was erratic at best during gameplay. To Capcom's credit, they have resisted the temptation to offer an unlocked frame rate, prioritising input consistency and graphical stability at their frame-rate target above all else.
Another standout improvement over last-generation hardware is the drastic reduction in load times. On the PlayStation 4, interstitial loading sequences could be painfully lengthy, a compromise necessitated by the older system's spinning rust storage. In contrast, the Switch 2 handles these transitions with ease, with loading times reduced to mere seconds. These breaks are now so brief that they are barely noticeable during typical play.
Visual comparisons between platforms do reveal some peculiar anomalies, particularly regarding brightness. Even with default settings matched across all machines, the Switch 2 output appears noticeably brighter than its counterparts. While it remains unclear whether this adjustment was intentional, it is a quirk previously observed in other RE Engine titles on the platform. Ideally, one would hope for a closer match in gamma levels, especially for those primarily using the console in a home environment.
Regarding image quality, the Switch 2 looks like it's using DLSS to upscale from an internal resolution of approximately 540p during gameplay. While this figure sounds low when compared to the native 1080p resolution of the PlayStation 4, the final output on the Switch 2 is surprisingly clean - and outdoes the PS4 effort in my view. The RE Engine's struggle with anti-aliasing on older hardware often leads to jagged edges, whereas the Switch 2's upscaled image provides a more stable, albeit slightly softer, visual presentation. The PS5 4K presentation is some distance ahead, of course, and the gulf suggests that higher internal resolutions might be achievable on Switch 2.
For players seeking more than the standard 60fps experience, launching the game with 120Hz docked output enabled automatically enables a corresponding HFR mode for the game, with no ability to disable it. The game runs with an unlocked frame rate, typically hovering between 80 and 90fps, and this unfortunately results in an inconsistent and stuttery experience. Without support for VRR on the Switch 2's TV output, this mode serves more as a technical curiosity than a viable way to play the game, and it should probably not be activated by default based on a system-level setting.
In handheld configuration, the game adopts a more conservative approach to preserve battery and performance. It runs at a lower internal resolution - around 360p - which is then upscaled to 720p using DLSS. While the image can appear soft and exhibits reconstruction artefacts during rapid motion, the trade-off is excellent performance. The title remains perfectly playable in this format, despite the inherent limitations of the portable hardware's screen.
Ultimately, Devil May Cry 5 on Switch 2 is a successful, if conservative, venture. While it does not push the boundaries of what the hardware is capable of, it provides a superior experience to the last-gen console versions, balancing great performance with acceptable visuals. While there may be some room to squeeze extra graphical fidelity out of the engine through more aggressive tuning, it remains a solid port that takes reasonable and effective advantage of Nintendo's latest hybrid console.