2024’s Best Action Game Is Nearly as Good in Its Stunning Switch 2 Port

Shift Up’s Stellar Blade ranks among the decade’s most exhilarating action games, pairing swift swordplay with deeply satisfying parries. While a sequel is on the way, the original still has more ground to cover. Its Nintendo Switch 2 edition is another impressive port for the console, though it also inherits some familiar compromises.

Originally released as a PlayStation 5 console exclusive in April 2024, Stellar Blade reached Windows PC in June 2025. Future installments could also appear across multiple platforms. The game follows Eve, a soldier fighting monstrous Naytibas in a bid to save humanity. Her sword is her only melee weapon, but, much like Miyamoto Musashi in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, she knows how to make it count. New combinations and abilities arrive throughout the adventure, keeping encounters engaging. Even after completing the game once, I welcomed another chance to enjoy its combat on Switch 2.

Eve’s defensive moves are just as rewarding as her attacks. A perfectly timed parry sends a powerful jolt through the Switch 2, while her blink dodge lets her slip behind an opponent and launch a punishing counterattack. Learning those timings matters: although Stellar Blade isn’t quite as demanding as a Soulslike, even ordinary enemies can prove dangerous on the middle difficulty setting.

New costumes appear regularly, with Bayonetta-inspired outfits joining the lineup alongside the Switch 2 release. Many are form-fitting, while some of Eve’s other outfits resemble lingerie. That creates an awkward contrast with one of the console’s biggest attractions: playing wherever you like. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable bringing this particular adventure onto a crowded train or into a park. For flights, I’ll stick with Pokémon Pokopia or Mario Kart World.

Battery life also limits longer handheld sessions. With default settings and the screen brightness near maximum, Stellar Blade delivers roughly three hours of play, much like some other demanding Switch 2 releases. For all the console does well, its battery remains a weak point.

At least the game generally looks good on the handheld screen. It doesn’t match the visual fidelity of the PlayStation 5 and PC versions, as expected, but its environments, enemies and cutscenes still make a strong impression. Hair is the most noticeable exception. Eve’s extraordinarily long ponytail barely renders during gameplay, and characters’ hair looks noticeably coarse in cutscenes.

Docked play largely resolves the hair problem and brings the overall presentation closer to the PS5 and PC versions. Distant foliage and debris still pop into view, and enemies far away can move unevenly, but these are relatively minor distractions. The game looks excellent during effects-heavy battles, and I didn’t notice significant frame-rate drops, even in intense boss fights.

Ultimately, Stellar Blade Complete Edition is an excellent way to experience Shift Up’s action game before the next installment arrives. The Switch 2 version has a few visual shortcomings, but they fade into the background when the fast, exhilarating combat takes center stage.

Stellar Blade Complete Edition will be released for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.

Source: Polygon