Devil May Cry 5 Shines on Nintendo Switch 2

Capcom's acclaimed action game earns strong reviews as performance tests reveal surprising capabilities on Nintendo's new console.

Capcom's Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is earning outstanding reviews on the Nintendo Switch 2, and its performance has shocked many players and industry professionals alike. This is not a new game; it was released previously for PlayStation 4 and Xbox. One before, an upgraded version on newer hardware, and it’s getting a lot of attention because it’s coming out on Nintendo’s newest system.

The Switch 2 version has been well received, with the game currently averaging around 86 at the time of writing. That makes it one of the highest-rated third-party AAA titles on the app right now. The new edition offers most of the same information as the older versions, providing players with a comprehensive bundle that includes the original game and features from later, better versions.

The Netflix Devil May Cry animated series is also trying to bring the game back in style.

Sales of a game that is now over seven years old have also benefited from the growing interest in the series since the show came out. Devil May Cry 5’s low price and well-received combat mechanics continue to draw in both new and returning gamers. There are many new action games like Devil May Cry 5, yet it is unique in the gaming world. Good-looking character-driven action games are becoming tougher to come by in the AAA market.

Now, only a few brands, such as Bayonetta, are still developing games in this genre. That distinct style has kept the game popular even years after its release. The game is off to a terrific start on the Nintendo eShop charts, so owners of the Switch 2 are liking it. It’s also a plus that the game can be played on a portable system, which many gamers love.

One of the biggest surprises with the Switch 2 version is how nicely it functions. Nintendo announced in their previous Direct broadcast that Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition would run at 60 frames per second docked and on the go. But third-party testing reveals the game is capable of considerably more.

New studies have conducted performance reviews indicating that the game maintains a rock-solid 60 FPS and, in some cases, exceeds it. They state that gamers can achieve speeds over 60 FPS by adjusting system settings, and that some indoor areas can reach up to 120 FPS.

Your experience will vary depending on how you play the game.

The Switch 2 also has a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) feature that should smooth out transitions between frame rates, making the experience more stable when frame rates exceed 60 FPS in portable mode. Since VRR isn’t supported in docked mode, you may not always get a smooth higher frame rate experience, even if it does increase performance.

Still, the effects have wowed many people. Cutscenes and gameplay scenes deliver performance far superior to what was experienced on the original PlayStation 4. The results have also generated new discussions about what Nintendo’s new system can actually do.

Devil May Cry 5 is another example of players thinking the Switch 2 is more powerful than some early comparisons suggested, with the game running nicely. Some online chatter has compared the system to PlayStation 4 hardware, but this release proves that when the stars align, Nintendo’s platform can achieve much more than that.

A big part of that was how well the game was optimized. The RE engine from Capcom has always done amazing work on a lot of different systems but works especially well with the Switch 2’s architecture, it appears. The technology is so efficient that the game can run at high frame rates while yet keeping the images beautiful.

Inevitably, it’s been compared to other PlayStation 4-era ports heading to Switch 2. Some Unreal Engine 4 games have struggled to maintain the same level of speed. Some games aim for 30 frames per second, whereas Devil May Cry 5 easily gets 60 frames per second and occasionally exceeds it.

Of course, each game has different technological requirements. "Open world games, games with many characters, require different tools than action games like Devil May Cry 5. But Capcom's release demonstrates what programmers can do when they meticulously tune software to run at its best on Nintendo hardware.

The game will be $30 digitally at launch, with a physical Game Key Card version coming later.

If you just want to get straight in, the eShop version offers one of Capcom’s most well-known action games for a very reasonable price. Capcom is expanding its catalog on the Nintendo Switch 2, with titles like Devil May Cry 5 performing quite well. The company immediately became one of the platform's most important 3rd party backers.

Capcom has been committed to bringing new and familiar games to Nintendo platforms, with upcoming titles such as Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, and Monster Hunter Stories 3. The company continues to add older games and remasters to its platform catalog. Capcom is becoming one of the most significant publishers for the Switch 2, with more and more major releases, and its technical support is always top-notch.

Meanwhile, Sega has just released its latest investment report, which includes new revenue figures for the corporation. The company also said it aims to adjust its marketing approach to focus more on fans to improve its business performance. Persona 5 Royal is the overwhelming victor with 8.66 million units sold and is one of Sega’s best-selling titles. Sonic Frontiers is in second place, selling 4.94 million units, while Team Sonic Racing has sold 3.5 million copies.

Other notable hits include Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which sold 3.12 million copies, Sonic X Shadow Generations, which sold 3.07 million copies, and Persona 3 Reload, which sold 2.97 million copies. ReFantazio has sold 2.46 million copies, while Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has sold 2.44 million copies.

These are impressive results, but Sega has admitted several of its latest titles have not lived up to its own expectations. With a revamp of its marketing campaign and new titles like Crazy Taxi, Virtua Fighter, Persona 4: Golden, and, finally, Persona 6, the firm intends to fare better in the coming years. Fans of Rhythm Heaven Groove can also check out a new demo before the game’s launch. The demo is now ready on Nintendo Switch. It works well with Switch 2. It allows players to play the first five rhythm games included in the complete release.

Anyone who jumps in early will be able to carry over their progress from the demo directly into the full game when it is released on July 2.

On top of that, the game includes over 80 solo rhythm challenges, far more than many fans were expecting from the long-awaited comeback. In addition to the single-player offerings, there are local multiplayer options for over 30 competitive and co-op rhythm games, supporting up to 4 players. There’s a peculiar game called Beat Spell where people can combat demons using rhythm-based skills.

Lately, Nintendo's started revisiting older titles, and Rhythm Heaven is the next in that series. Tomodachi Life is already making its comeback, and rumors are flying around about other classic series. That has Nintendo fans clamoring for more of its beloved properties to return to the forefront.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is picking up steam, with strong third-party developer support, successful brand revivals, and technically astounding games like Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition, making it one of the most exciting new gaming systems on the market.