Nintendo Switch 2 and Unreal Engine 5: A Big Leap or a Risky Bet?

The growing relationship between Nintendo Switch 2 and Unreal Engine 5 is shaping up to be one of the most important talking points in next-generation gaming. In a recent episode of Digital Foundry’s weekly podcast, analysts broke down what this shift could mean—not just for Nintendo, but for the broader industry.

Drawing directly from the discussion, the consensus is clear: Unreal Engine 5 could unlock new possibilities on Switch 2, but it also introduces serious technical challenges.

Why Unreal Engine 5 Is Becoming the Default Choice

One of the most striking observations from the podcast is how dominant Unreal Engine 5 has become across major game announcements. From cinematic racers to sci-fi shooters, a large number of showcased titles are now built on Epic’s engine.

As noted during the discussion, “almost all” of the highlighted games appear to be using Unreal Engine 5, signaling a clear industry trend toward standardization. This shift benefits developers by simplifying workflows, reducing development time, and making cross-platform releases more achievable.

For Switch 2, this is particularly important. Instead of relying on heavily customized engines, developers can now scale their Unreal Engine 5 projects down to fit Nintendo’s hardware. That means more third-party support and faster ports—but not without compromises.

Unreal Engine 5 is known for its cutting-edge features like Lumen global illumination and Nanite geometry. These technologies deliver impressive visuals but are also extremely demanding.

According to Digital Foundry, some upcoming titles targeting Switch 2 will likely rely on reduced settings, such as “medium Lumen,” to maintain performance. This highlights a key concern: while the engine is technically compatible, the experience may vary significantly compared to high-end consoles.

Unreal Engine 5 demo showcasing advanced Lumen lighting technology in a real-time environment (Image via Epic Games)

The challenge isn’t just graphical fidelity—it’s consistency. Maintaining stable frame rates while using advanced rendering techniques will be a balancing act for developers.

A Double-Edged Sword for Game Development

Unreal Engine 5 offers clear advantages, but it also introduces risks. One concern raised in the podcast is the growing “homogenization” of games. When many studios rely on the same engine, visual styles and technical approaches can start to feel similar.

At the same time, the engine lowers barriers for smaller studios. Developers can access advanced tools without building proprietary technology from scratch. This is especially beneficial for ambitious projects that want to compete visually with AAA titles.

As discussed, Unreal Engine makes sense for studios that lack the resources to build their own engines, allowing them to focus on design and creativity instead of core tech .

What This Means for Switch 2’s Game Library

The adoption of Unreal Engine 5 could significantly expand the type of games available on Switch 2. High-profile titles, including visually demanding projects, are already being announced for the platform.

For example, upcoming games like Alien: Isolation 2 are expected to use Unreal Engine 5 while targeting multiple platforms, including Switch 2. This signals growing confidence in Nintendo’s hardware.

However, expectations need to be managed. These versions will likely feature scaled-down visuals, lower resolutions, or performance trade-offs compared to PlayStation and Xbox counterparts.