Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Nintendo Switch 2 Port Surpasses Expectations Despite Visual Trade-offs

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 port has launched with a solid 30 FPS performance and a near-complete feature set, bringing one of 2024’s boldest first-person adventures to Nintendo’s system with only minor downgrades in visuals and shadow detail.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launched for the Nintendo Switch 2 in May 2026 following its original PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S release in late 2024. The Switch 2 version delivers a stable 30 frames-per-second in both docked and handheld modes, and, according to the original review, “it’s pretty good” despite the hardware’s limitations. While Bethesda Softworks has a mixed history with Switch ports, recall December’s “sluggish Skyrim launch” and the “stunner” that Fallout 4 provided in February, the company and MachineGames have delivered a credible conversion here.

Key technical facts:

• Resolution Targets: 1080p when docked, 720p in handheld mode
• Frame Rate: Smooth 30 FPS, with rare drops during “shot changes in cutscenes and loading hiccups while traversing busier areas like The Vatican”
• Visual Trade-offs: Reduced shadow quality, shorter draw distance for smaller objects, missing top-tier ray tracing, and a softer image on portable mode
• Upscaling: DLSS upscaling is used to improve performance and image clarity
• Controls: Integrated gyro controls and Joy-Con 2 mouse-aim functionality
• DLC: “The Order of the Giants DLC is being sold separately”

Performance and Visuals: Trimmed, Not Gutted

Bethesda and MachineGames made deliberate sacrifices in graphical fidelity for the Switch 2 port, but the core experience remains intact. Character models and interior scenes remain “impressive” , while the biggest visual cuts are in shadow quality, object draw distance, and the lack of advanced ray tracing. The game’s global lighting solution is unconfirmed on Switch 2. In handheld mode, DLSS upscaling enables the Switch 2 to avoid the worst performance dips seen on handheld PCs, though it comes with “some finer details and texture clarity taking hits” .

The port is tuned for a cinematic 30 FPS, which reviewers indicate is “more than enough for a game that’s generally slow-paced”. Occasional frame drops and loading stutters do occur, notably in complex environments like The Vatican. According to coverage, “The Switch 2 does have a hard time sometimes, even with the invaluable help of DLSS upscaling”.

Control Options and Input Improvements

Third-party ports for Nintendo systems often feature custom control options and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is no exception. The port supports gyro controls and “Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality”. The reviewer notes: “The ability to mouse-aim is especially impressive, making the collection of smaller items and well-calculated throws more fluid.” The critic adds, “Even at 30 FPS, the implementation here is smooth and responsive.” These features ensure the Switch 2 version offers a viable and sometimes even superior input experience compared to other platforms, especially for players who enjoy alternative control schemes.

Comparisons with Other Switch 2 Third-Party Ports

Bethesda’s track record with Switch 2 ports has been uneven, but this release compares favourably to other high-profile conversions:

• Skyrim (Switch 2, December 2025): Launched with sluggishness but later improved via updates
• Fallout 4 (Switch 2, February 2026): Praised for “ambitious framerate targets and solid image quality”
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Switch 2, May 2026): Joins Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Outlaws, and Resident Evil Requiem as “one of the stronger third-party efforts… on Switch 2”

The reviewer declares, “It’s yet more proof that Nintendo’s current-gen hardware can punch above its weight and even improve on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s wobbly handheld PC performance thanks to a DLSS crutch and fresh optimisations.”

Structured Data Summary

• Title: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Port Release: May 2026), Previously PC/PS5/Xbox Series X/S (Late 2024)
• Developer: MachineGames
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
• Frame Rate: 30 FPS (target, mostly stable)
• Resolution: 1080p docked, 720p handheld
• DLSS: Yes (upscaling, improves clarity and performance)
• Control Options: Gyro controls, Joy-Con 2 mouse-aim
• DLC: “Order of the Giants” sold separately
• Notable Visual Cuts: Lower shadow quality, shorter object draw, no advanced ray tracing
• Reviewer Verdict: “It’s pretty good… If this is how you’ll experience The Great Circle for the first time, know that you’re not getting a watered-down version of it.”