Resident Evil 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 review: survival horror mastery on the go

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.

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.

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.

Resident Evil 2 also controls nicely on Nintendo Switch 2, with multiple schemes available through the Options menu. Whether I was using my Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller or playing handheld, it was easy to switch weapons during combat, sprint past zombies, or sort through my inventory. This title also supports HD Rumble, which at times can feel a little overassertive, but overall adds to the immersion nicely. You also get virtual spatial sound, which works brilliantly, especially with headphones.

Something that this title does lack, though, is control schemes that make use of the Switch 2’s unique hardware. For instance, there’s no motion-controlled aiming, which would’ve been a nice touch for those who enjoyed it on Resident Evil Requiem, for instance. There isn’t any mouse mode functionality either, so you’ll be using traditional controls throughout the game. For me, this isn’t a huge problem — I prefer standard right stick aiming, but it would’ve undoubtedly been good to see this game make the most of the Switch 2’s hardware.

When all’s said and done, this is a very competent port of a fantastic survival horror game, and it only helps the Switch 2 establish itself as a major destination for third-party titles as well as big-hit Nintendo releases. Whether you’re new to this series or you’re a long-time fan, this is a great way to experience Resident Evil 2 at home or on the go.

Should you play Resident Evil 2 for Nintendo Switch 2?

Play it if…

Don’t play it if…

Accessibility features

There are a number of ways to customize your experience in Resident Evil 2, with customizable camera options, three distinct control schemes, toggle or hold run modes, and a wide array of voice and text languages to pick from. In the display section, you can change the color of the reticle, laser dot sight, and dot display, alter HUD opacity, and even turn damage display levels down if you’d prefer.

How I reviewed Resident Evil 2 for Nintendo Switch 2

I spent more than 20 hours with Resident Evil 2 on Nintendo Switch 2, during which time I completed both Leon and Claire’s stories, played some of the extra modes like The Ghost Survivors, and played in both docked and handheld mode.

For the most part, I played the game docked, with my console hooked up to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I did indulge in some handheld action here and there, and used my JBL Live Beam 4 earbuds to enjoy virtual spatial sound on the go.

More generally, I’m a seasoned gaming hardware and software reviewer, and have been testing all kinds of games and accessories for years here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed all sorts of games on Nintendo Switch 2, from major first-party releases like Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave to ports of awesome action games, such as Yakuza Kiwami 2.

First reviewed October 2026