I have been following all the talk about Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2, and honestly, it feels like Ubisoft is treating the new console way more seriously than before. Inside Ubisoft, there are talks that the team has changed its plans for the new hardware. When Shadows comes out on the next Nintendo system, it might even end up as one of the best third-party games on the whole device.
The team that worked on Star Wars Outlaws already surprised people with how well that game ran on Switch 2. Now they have pushed things even further for Shadows. Their aim is simple. Keep the world size the same. Keep the characters the same. Make sure it does not feel like a smaller version. Ubisoft said all updates added after launch on other platforms will also be inside the Switch 2 release. One update called Claws of AAI is planned for February 2026.
Cross progression works fully, so you can change between your platforms without a headache. If you play handheld, menus, maps, and your shelter even support touch controls. I like that because I play handheld games a lot when I am traveling.
The whole port was one of the hardest tech jobs for Ubisoft. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows was first built for home consoles that run on x86 chips. Switch 2 uses ARM chips, so the team had to rebuild many systems from scratch. Programmers said it took weeks to reorganize features like world streaming and physics.
One lead programmer said they had to rework how the entire render system behaves while still keeping the open-world feeling of the series. In both docked mode and handheld mode, the target is 30 frames per second. They also added new tech to keep performance stable even when the hardware profile shifts.
Ubisoft changed textures, level detail, and draw distance for the Switch 2 version. They did this without removing the richness of the world. Cloth physics and lighting simulations were made lighter so that the GPU could handle the game better. They used their own baked lighting system, which saves memory and still keeps the same visual style.
Crowd density was another thing that was handled carefully. Busy areas still feel alive even though the number of characters was reduced a little to keep the frame timing even. Even with changes, the world still looks wide and full. Each town still feels packed when you walk through it.
The Switch 2 version also supports DLSS and VRR. DLSS uses machine learning to upgrade the picture so the output looks clearer. VRR keeps the frames moving smoothly without screen tearing. When both work together, Shadows feels like a portable game that does not need to depend on heavy hardware. I tried VRR on a monitor before, and the difference is very clear, so it is nice to see it in handheld too.
The handheld mode gave Ubisoft another challenge. They had to adjust image quality and object streaming so the frame timing remained stable. They even wrote code, so VRR works properly at 30 frames. The developers said they were focused on making the game feel steady rather than chasing big numbers.
They also said the limitation of portable hardware created room for new ideas. On PC, there are many settings. On consoles like Switch 2, there is only one device. Because of that, teams can build their art around one target. It can feel limiting, but sometimes it helps push new ideas. I felt the same when I used an old laptop for gaming. When you know the limit, you find your own way to enjoy it.
Switch 2 is becoming important for Ubisoft. Some third-party games do not do well on more competitive hardware, but the Nintendo audience is different. The Switch platform still brings a huge player base, and the new system will likely give Ubisoft another chance to reach many players again.
With Star Wars Outlaws already doing well on Switch 2, it feels like players want big games on portable systems. It also showed that you do not need to lose quality while moving from a high-end console to a handheld console. Ubisoft feels this mindset can bring in new players. Shadows will probably support this idea even more.
There is also a hint that Ubisoft teams are becoming stronger with ARM architecture. Their learning now will influence every future project on the new Nintendo hardware. They may even build games with Switch 2 in mind from the start instead of doing late ports.
Nintendo is also improving its developer tools. The Switch 2 GPU, pipeline, and memory bandwidth are better. Because of these upgrades, Ubisoft can keep more of the original design. The weather effects, movement in combat, and stealth lighting work more like the other platforms.
Some adjustments were made for handheld users, such as bigger icons and touch input. Load times are faster, too, which is something I really appreciate because long loading screens always break the mood.
The choice to lock the game to thirty frames fits their idea of stability. Ubisoft said consistency is more important than chasing numbers that might break the feel of the world. They learned this from previous hardware changes. Switch 2 allows them to hold this idea without losing the visual identity of Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will release on December 2, and early research says it is one of the most advanced third-party games for the new Switch. It shows that open worlds can be done well on portable hardware without losing depth.
As more developers test the limits of Switch 2, games like Shadows will shape new expectations. Players will expect full worlds that do not feel like cut-down versions. Other studios will study how Ubisoft managed this balance.
Shadows might also be the start of a new generation of Assassin’s Creed games that work well on portable systems. It shows that even with smaller devices, you can still deliver large experiences. It makes me think about how future handheld games will feel. It also shows how the next few years of Switch 2 ports might change.
People may remember Shadows not just for the story but also the way it pushed portable tech to a higher level. You may also be interested in: Acadiana High Football Page Annoys Fans After Playoff Loss
