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Zelda on Switch runs more smoothly in portable mode

A gaming masterpiece and a brilliant debut title for Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is also a tough technical workout.

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eurogamer.net
corroios3382d ago (Edited 3382d ago )

The switch is a good portable and not a good choice for a home console. Almost zero upgrades on dock mode and drops on frame rate to 20!!!! on their biggest game of the year.

We are talking on a port from a game of the Wii U... We are talking on a brand new 2017 machine running at 900p that cost 300.

Utalkin2me3381d ago

The WiiU version is worse. I have been getting headaches due to the unstable framerate. Its almost as bad as Skyrim at launch on the PS3.

blitz06233381d ago

A lot of people seem to forget the console itself is a portable that just gets hooked up to a TV to output a higher resolution. All docking does is letting the system run at a higher clock speed that would otherwise drain the battery if used on portable mode, and it looks like letting the game run at a higher res counteracts the extra performance and more

Utalkin2me3381d ago

@blitz0623

I said nothing about the switch and it being docked . I said "WiiU" is worse. And it runs something awful, that alone should lose a point or 2.

Cobra9513381d ago (Edited 3381d ago )

Well, let's be honest. The WiiU version came out because it was promised and sold. The negative reaction against Nintendo would have been much worse if the WiiU didn't get Zelda at all. At this point, anyone who cares about how the game performs and looks should be playing it on the Switch.

The stutters in docked mode (vs smooth mobile frame rate) are more than just disappointing; they strike me as a flaw in the code, one that can hopefully get addressed with an update to the system, or to the game. At the very least, I would want the option to render the game at 720p in docked mode, to preserve the smooth action.

AuraAbjure3379d ago

I've been getting headaches too! What a major bummer. A year and a half delay for this- guess we can wait a couple more weeks for a patch.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3379d ago
cleft53381d ago

How many games run worse on the PS4 Pro than they do on the PS4. The reason is simple, the games is made from the ground up with another platform in mind. In case of Sony, the games was made with the PS4 in mind so when they simply release a patch to support the PS4 Pro it runs into issues. Issues that can cause the game to run worse on the PS4 Pro then it does on the PS4. It's an issue of programming not power.

Does Zelda run better on the Switch in Portable Mode, yes it does. But why is this? It's simple, in portable mode the console is outputting at 720p resolution on more powerful hardware. The WiiU runs at 720p resolution as well, this game was made with the WiiU in mind from the start and then it was ported over to the Switch.

Which means it is going to have issues from time to time. This isn't an issue of hardware power, its an issue of where the game was originally developed for in the first place. In truth, we have yet to see a game that take advantage of the power the Switch is capable of mustering. Super Mario Galaxy is still one of the most beautiful games made and it was designed on vastly inferior hardware than the Switch.

We probably wont see a game that truly takes advantage of the Switch until Splatoon 2 or the new Mario game. I think people need to calm down a bit with the criticism of the Switch because they are making irrational statements. Jumping at any little indication to be negative about this system. The fact that you can play Zelda on the go and have this amazing experience comparable to a console is great. That is something that will elevate gaming as a whole.

JunMei3380d ago

Yes. Let's ignore one of the best games of the year because of frame dips. Skyrim on Ps3 had major frame dips too.

also, Ocarina of Time, widely regarded as one of the best games of all time often dipped to 15 fps during the era when 60 fps and not 30 fps was the standard for console gaming.

RosweeSon3380d ago

How many frames do you even notice in a second anyway I know myself unless it's stopping and starting or seriously lagging then wouldn't notice it anyway I'm normally to into the game than the tech behind it unless it's causing major problems and is unplayable broken or an absolute nightmare.

_-EDMIX-_3380d ago

But the problem we're having right now with these huge framerate drops is it part of the portion of the device that is sort of one of its biggest selling points actually running off the television.

Let me remind you that this is also a port of a game that was made on a system that released five years ago.

This is a bit ridiculous

JunMei3379d ago

The frame drops ARE definitely noticeable in very rare instances like in the lost woods. However, that still doesn't detract from such an amazing experience.

_-EDMIX-_3380d ago

So what you guys are telling me is that the portable device runs the portable games better?

😂😂😂&# 129300;🤔🤔

Sounds to me like we kind of know why this device was created foremost.

Let's hope that this is a simple software issue that can be patched.

There's no reason why this device should be having problems running games on the television especially if you consider almost 10 years ago Sony released a cord that could play Playstation Portable games on the television

This has to be some sort of joke that this company can't even properly mimic a concept that was done 10 years ago...

If the PSP 2000 3000 and PSP Go are able to run off of the television there's no reason why this should be having any issues.

JunMei3379d ago

It should be noted, that the PSPs only output. The Switch outputs higher quality visuals at a higher resolution when docked.

_-EDMIX-_3379d ago

@junmei- moot.

as it should, this isn't 2008 so they're kind of isn't a reason for them to be unable to do this properly unless they just chose inferior parts.

Isn't Zelda 900p on the switch? Or am I mistaken the Wii U version?

I could have sworn one of these versions with an 1080P or I might be wrong

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3379d ago
EddieNX 3382d ago

The game runs perfectly while docked, its just certain spots where it starts to stutter, you can step in and out of these spots. Its not an issue at all... It looks amazing upscaled to 4k on my TV anyway. The most beatiuful, pretty game I've played. Makes some modern realistic games look lifeless. Its just like, no way have they made a game this good...

Summons753381d ago

Right. Haters just love to make mountains out of molehills. Yes, there is very isolated spots where it happens but when it does hardly affects the game and is so quick you barely notice.

Cobra9513381d ago

Thank you guys, for pointing this out. Since I don't have a Switch or BotW, I can only go on what I read. I know what you mean about making mountains out of molehills too. I remember when Digital Foundry said Fallout 4 dropped to zero fps on the Xbox, and that turned out to be nothing beyond the occasional streaming stutters that can happen in any open-world game.

Still, if the game runs with perfect fluidity in mobile mode, it should be able to do the same in docked mode. I hope they fix this with an update.

MRMagoo1233381d ago

"runs perfectly when docked , it's just certain spots where it starts to stutter" 😂 really .......I mean really ?? runs perfect ....except for the spots where it doesn't?? like every single game ever made that has frame rate problems ...just wow

EddieNX 3381d ago

It runs at locked 30 while docked 95% of the time, then these weird spots where it drops to 20... There's no explanation for it..

Utalkin2me3381d ago

@EddieNX

"The game runs perfectly while docked, its just certain spots where it starts to stutter"

ROFLMA....SMFH....This is comedy gold right here. While the switch version run fairly well for the most part. The WiiU version runs like a hot pile of garbage.

ninsigma3381d ago

Dropping to 20 fps is not a stutter. A stutter is almost undetectable while a drop in 10 frames per second has a significant impact on playing the game. It's also not certain spots because you can play in any spot and be fine then go back and it could drop. Yes it is an issue because it affects game performance. It's an issue in every other game that sees drops like this so it's an issue here.

EddieNX 3381d ago

Its an issue but not a big one. By and large to game runs at locked 30 with vsync. I do hope they fix these stuttery spots obviously and they most likely will with a patch.

Cobra9513381d ago (Edited 3381d ago )

Either you don't understand the technology behind vsync-locked frame updates, or you're ignoring it. If a scheduled frame update is missed even by a very small amount of time, the frame rate is going to drop down to the next lower factor of the screen refresh rate. In this case, the schedule calls for a frame update every 2 screen refreshes (30 fps on a 60Hz display), and that drops to one every 3 refreshes (20 fps on 60 Hz) when the update is missed even by a millisecond. That sudden momentary drop in frame rate over a few demanding rendered frames is exactly what a stutter is.

Sunny_D3381d ago (Edited 3381d ago )

There's definitely no way it runs perfect. Been watching my roommate play it and the first frame rate drop I noticed is when he runs out of the Temple of Ressurection and he runs into the first bits of tall grass.

In fact anytime Link is in tall grass on the Great Plateau, the frame drops noticebly.

But, the game is definitely beautiful. The art style gives me the feeling of the N64 days with the sense of wonderment and adventure.

Strange_Evil3381d ago

As per digital foundry, the drops are consistent like when you move your camera through a high foliage area or when there are enemies on screen and it hits 20FPS. For a 300$ in 2017 console that is just plain garbage to not hit 30FPS at 900P no matter how you put it.

Note: I am not dissing the game. The game looks great but the console itself is what is holding it back.

conanlifts3380d ago

The frame drops are not that big a deal. Saying this i have played around 5 hours undocked 3 docked. But the drops are unusual. Get into a fight, explode the barrels dodge and run with no issues. Run up a hill doing nothing else and you get random stutters.

spektical3380d ago

this is a delusional fanboy. As an owner of a switch I am dissapoitned with the massive framedrops the game has, notice it more when entering any patch of grass.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3380d ago
deadfrag3381d ago

I hope they patch the performance because i find this unacceptable,the first major title for the Switch from the best known Nintendo IP and it runs lock undocked and with major frame drops when docked in a console that Nintendo tout has a home console system,frankly this is not good news for people like myself that like to play first and formost on my HDTV.Fix this shit.

SoulWarrior3381d ago

Yep. I've played it for a few hours now and the frame rate drops, particularly during combat an in forests/woods with smoke/fire effects in particular is really jarring, the fact that it performs better undocked isn't right imo.

vikingland13381d ago

This is strange I hope they can fix it with an update or patch.

Pricey3381d ago

Where are the updates stored?

Qdog3381d ago

When I downloaded an update for the game it went on the SD card. The saves I'm not sure about because when i switched from a 64GB card to a 256Gb card, the save files were still in tact.

Pricey3381d ago

@Qdog ah ok maybe there is some storage on the cartridge for saves. Thanks for answering my question

vikingland13381d ago

It updated mine without a sd card so I think it stores it on tye built in memory it has around 25 GB after the update.

Cobra9513381d ago

Good question. If the games are not installed, they can't get proper delta patching as in the current x86 consoles. That means the patches would have to be separate files that get applied at game boot-up time. I'm curious about the process myself.

Qdog3381d ago (Edited 3381d ago )

Pretty sure after reading the comments that the system simply chooses the sd card if mounted or the internal system storage if no SD card is mounted. The update definitely occupied space on my SD card.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3381d ago
V0LT3381d ago

Any open world game is going to have spikes. They all do. GTA, the witcher, etc. It is just how it is.

Sunny_D3381d ago

Horizon happened to be stable for the most part...

Cobra9513381d ago

The difference here is that this game runs without such issues in the weaker mobile mode. If the game only ran in docked mode, then your assumption would be considered correct by most of us.

Show all comments (59)
50°

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Soundtrack Gets A Vinyl Release

Fans and collectors should love this news as it looks great.

40°

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review

Michael from NoobFeed writes: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition is the same game that you know and love, but with additional bells and whistles that somehow make a perfect game even better. With a feature-rich companion app, true 4K visuals, buttery-smooth 60fps, and an extra save file, what's not to love?

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noobfeed.com
pearl44snow288d ago

Thank you for sharing this insightful review! It's fantastic to hear about all the improvements in the Switch 2 Edition and how they elevate an https://www.mymileestonecar... already amazing game.

70°

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition review - ChristCenteredGamer

CCG writes - "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition successfully takes one of Nintendo’s best titles and makes it look and run exponentially better than it ever has before. After playing this new version, it’s hard to think that I settled for such a worse-performing version all these years. "

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christcenteredgamer.com
z2g291d ago (Edited 291d ago )

I say this as an owner of a switch 2 officially now (got it finally last week). Thats all well and good, but lots of us were saying the switch was underpowered to begin with - then labeled as haters (why would a hater buy a device they hate?).
I loved BOTW on Switch but could never escape the feeling that despite how good, it just felt.... old... graphically.

Glad to see theres an elevated experience on the new switch 2... but the point still stands - imagine if Nintendo released an actual real console with the full power of the series x or ps5. then imagine what BOTW could look like. I wish Nintendo would do something like what MS did with series x/s - release a full proper console as the flagship, then have the switch as the portable scaled down option. They both play the same games, but the console would run the full blast version of the games. That would be a win in my book.

also like MS (and occasionally Sony), I wish Nintendo would release these upgrades for free. A new switch 2 game is already $80, and they're charging $18 to play a game you already own with better frame rates and resolution. thats almost as bad as them charging money for the "welcome tour" game, that literally just shows you the features of the switch. not a cheap system after purchase.

MrBaskerville291d ago

It's not free, but the upgrades are included in the Nintendo subscription service thingy.

rlow1291d ago

@MrBaskerville

Which still means your paying for it.

1nsomniac291d ago

…which is exactly what he just said - “it’s not free”.