The Stellar Blade Switch 2 reviews are in, ahead of the Complete Edition’s 5 November launch, and the verdict is surprisingly positive, with scores ranging from a 7/10 at Nintendo Life up to 4.5/5 at The Outerhaven, although almost everyone agrees that Eve has had to give up a little of her shine to fit inside Nintendo’s hybrid.
At $59.99 / £54.99 for a game that’s been on PS5 since April 2024, and on PC since 2025, the real question isn’t just whether it runs, it’s whether this is the version you should actually pay for. Let’s find out!
Stellar Blade on Switch 2 Is Better Than It Has Any Right to Be?
That seems to be the general vibe, according to Nintendo Life’s review round-up, with critics consistently praising the combat, which was always the main reason to play Stellar Blade, and calling the port a strong showcase of what the Switch 2 can do. Here’s how the scores stack up:
- Nintendo Life: 7/10
- Nintendo Everything: 4/5
- COGconnected: 80/100
- The Outerhaven: 4.5/5
- GoNintendo and Polygon: unscored, but both broadly positive
So Where Are the Cuts?
Mostly in the visuals, unsurprisingly, with Polygon pointing out graphical blemishes, COGconnected noting animations that get choppy in the distance and a game that feels slightly less responsive than the original, and Nintendo Life saying the visuals aren’t always up to the task.
The bigger talking point is frame generation, because Nintendo Everything found the game basically unplayable with it switched on, but says a few small tweaks to the default settings make for a fantastic experience, especially in handheld mode.
Frame generation was controversial for this port right from the start, which is why Shift Up added the toggle in the first place, so it’s good that it’s there… and maybe a little telling that you’ll probably want to use the toggle!
Quick TipIf you do pick it up, head into the settings before you start and experiment with the frame generation toggle and the other defaults, because Nintendo Everything found that a few small tweaks made all the difference.
What Do You Actually Get for $59.99?
Quite a lot, to be fair, because the Complete Edition bundles in the DLC that PS5 players had to grab separately, and the physical version has the whole game on the cartridge.
We saw Shift Up proudly telling Insider Gaming it’s “100% on cartridge!”, which is more than a lot of Switch 2 third-party releases can say. Here’s what’s included:
- The full base game and all updates
- NieR: Automata collaboration DLC
- GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE collaboration DLC
- A new Bayonetta collaboration with four outfits for Eve (also coming free to PS5 and PC)
- Joy-Con 2 motion controls for some activities outside combat
Worth NotingGematsu lists the Switch 2 version as launching on 6 November in some regions, so depending on where you live, it might land a day later than the 5 November date most outlets are quoting.
Is the Switch 2 Version Worth Full Price?
This is where it gets a little trickier, because the PS5 version regularly goes on sale for less than $59.99 these days, and it looks and runs better, so if you own a PS5 or a decent gaming PC, the Switch 2 version is a hard sell unless you really, really want to play in bed.
For Switch 2-only players, though, it’s a different story, because you’re getting a full-fat action game with excellent combat, all the DLC, and the whole thing on a cartridge you can resell later.
The story is still on the bland side, as Nintendo Life points out, but nobody was playing Stellar Blade for the deep philosophical writing, were they?
It’s also nice to see a big third-party port arrive in a much better state than some recent ones, and if you remember the mess of Oblivion Remastered’s blurry Switch 2 patch, you’ll know that’s not something we can take for granted!
Should You Buy Stellar Blade on Switch 2?
If the Switch 2 is your main or only console, yes, Stellar Blade on Switch 2 looks like a solid buy, especially the physical version. If you’ve got a PS5 or PC, wait for a sale on those versions instead, because you’ll get the better-looking game for less money.
FAQs
When does Stellar Blade come out on Switch 2?
Stellar Blade Complete Edition launches on Switch 2 on 5 November 2026, with some regions listed for 6 November.
How much is Stellar Blade on Switch 2?
Stellar Blade on Switch 2 costs $59.99 / £54.99 / €59.99, and the Complete Edition includes all previously released DLC.
Is Stellar Blade fully on the Switch 2 cartridge?
Yes, Shift Up has confirmed the physical Stellar Blade Switch 2 release has the full game on the cartridge.
About The Author
