Breaking down the first Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay for Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok, what its 30 FPS target likely means, how visuals may scale compared to PS5 and PC, and whether this hybrid version can finally give Cygames’ co-op RPG a real shot with Nintendo fans.
The first closed beta gameplay of Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok on Nintendo Switch 2 is finally out in the wild, and it gives us our clearest snapshot yet of how Cygames’ lavish co-op RPG is shaping up on Nintendo’s new hybrid. It is also our best early indicator of what to expect from third-party action RPGs making the jump to Switch 2.
From frame rate to visual trims to feature parity with PS5 and PC, the Endless Ragnarok footage paints a picture that is more conservative than some might have hoped, but still promising if the execution is right.
A 30 FPS target that echoes PS4, not PS5
Based on the captured gameplay from the ongoing closed beta, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok appears to be running at 30 frames per second on Nintendo Switch 2. That immediately puts it in the same performance class as the PS4 version and well below the 60 FPS experience available on PS5 and higher end PCs.
What matters for an action heavy game like Relink is not just the number, but the stability. The early Switch 2 footage shows combat, skybound city exploration, and some flashy multi character combos holding to that 30 FPS target reasonably well, with only brief dips when multiple particle heavy skills and summons go off at once. If Cygames can convert this early state into a near lock at launch, a stable 30 FPS could be serviceable for most players.
The combat system is built around dodges, perfect guards, and cancel windows rather than pure animation cancel spam, which helps. The action looks readable at 30 FPS, and inputs do not seem to suffer from obvious extra latency in the captured video. The real test will be how this holds up in four player online co op, where particle effects, enemy counts, and network variance all pile on the GPU and CPU.
Visual tradeoffs: softening the skybound spectacle
To hit that performance target on a portable capable system, the Switch 2 build is already showing the expected set of visual compromises when stacked next to the PS5 and PC versions.
Geometry density appears pared back in hub areas, with fewer background props and less intricate architecture detail in the distance. Crowd density also looks slightly reduced, which both cuts CPU load and makes scenes a little less bustling than on more powerful hardware. Textures, especially on stone, metal, and cloth surfaces, look lower resolution in direct comparisons. You can see more visible texture filtering shimmer as the camera pans.
Lighting is an area where the Switch 2 footage holds up better than expected. The overall baked lighting model looks largely intact, though some subtle contact shadows and indirect bounce lighting seem dumber down. Ambient occlusion is coarser, and you can spot occasions where character models feel like they are not fully grounded to the environment. Effects like bloom and volumetric fog are still present but appear less aggressive, likely tuned down to avoid overwhelming the smaller screen in handheld.
The biggest visual difference is in image clarity. Resolution appears dynamic, with the game seemingly dropping internal resolution during heavy effects to keep frame time in check. In docked mode, the captured footage suggests a resolution somewhere in the 1080p range at best, but often lower during intense combat, reconstructed up to the output resolution. Handheld footage makes the softening less distracting, thanks to the smaller display, but aliasing and edge shimmer are still visible in fine details such as character hair or ornate weapon edging.
None of these tradeoffs are surprising, and if handled carefully they should not fundamentally undermine Relink’s painterly art direction. Cygames’ character designs and sky island vistas still look striking, and that strong art might be the Switch 2 version’s biggest ally.
Will Switch 2 get feature parity with PS5 and PC?
Beyond raw performance, one of the biggest questions for Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok on Switch 2 is just how close it will be to complete feature parity.
So far, the beta footage and official info suggest that Endless Ragnarok on Switch 2 includes all major content expansions announced for the updated release. That means the new story material layered onto the core campaign, additional bosses and summons, the expanded co op quest tiers for endgame grinding, and the brand new solo focused Conflux mode. The master traits system, which further customizes builds beyond basic skill trees, is also flagged as part of the package.
Where uncertainty remains is in technical features and cross platform support. Cygames has not yet confirmed any form of cross save or cross progression between Switch 2 and other platforms. Given how grind heavy Relink’s late game is once you chase higher tier sigils and materials, this will matter for players who already invested time on PS5 or PC but are tempted by the idea of portable play.
Cross play is another open question. Full cross platform matchmaking would be an enormous boon for the Switch 2 version, instantly giving it access to a large existing population for co op quests. Even a region locked or friend list only style of cross play would help prevent lobbies from feeling thin months after launch. Until Cygames spells out their online strategy, it is safest to assume each platform will at least have its own native matchmaking pool, with cross anything treated as a bonus.
On the visual options side, there is no indication yet that Switch 2 will offer a performance versus quality toggle like some PS5 releases. The hardware might not have enough headroom to justify a 60 FPS target, and Cygames may prefer to lock in a single tuned profile. However, even basic options like motion blur toggles, camera shake sliders, and effect density controls would go a long way for comfort, especially in handheld.
The hybrid advantage: why this version matters
If Endless Ragnarok on Switch 2 does not match the 60 FPS fluidity or pixel perfect clarity of PS5 and PC, why be excited at all? The answer lies in who this port can reach.
Nintendo hardware has never had a definitive gateway into the Granblue universe. The original Granblue Fantasy mobile game never took off in the same way in the West on Switch audiences, and Relink skipped the original Switch entirely. That left a huge slice of action RPG and Monster Hunter style co op fans on Nintendo’s platforms with no easy way into Cygames’ skyfaring world.
Switch 2 changes the equation. A portable friendly version of Relink that runs competently and includes all Endless Ragnarok content could tap into the same audience that devoured games like Monster Hunter Rise, Dauntless, and God Eater 3. Relink’s structure, with bite sized quests, character focused story episodes, and a heavy emphasis on co op hunts, is a natural fit for handheld play and quick local sessions.
If the online experience holds up and matchmaking is snappy, the Switch 2 release could become the de facto casual and social way to play Relink. Being able to grind sigils or farm bosses on a commute, then dock at home and continue the same save on the TV, may be enough to outweigh the visual cuts for many players.
For Cygames, this is also an opportunity to test the waters for broader support of Nintendo’s ecosystem. Strong performance for Endless Ragnarok on Switch 2 could shape the fate of any future Granblue projects on the platform, whether that is additional content updates, sequels, or even ports of other titles from the Granblue family.
Can Nintendo’s audience look past 30 FPS?
The risk, of course, is that Granblue Fantasy: Relink arrives on Switch 2 at a time when a growing share of players have experienced 60 FPS action as a baseline on other platforms. Some fans may simply refuse to engage with a new co op heavy RPG at half the frame rate, particularly those who already own higher end hardware.
For the core Nintendo audience though, 30 FPS is hardly a deal breaker if the rest of the package is strong. Many of the biggest third party hits on the original Switch, including massive action titles, have operated successfully at 30 FPS so long as stutters were kept to a minimum. Consistency trumps raw numbers.
What could be decisive is how transparent Cygames and Nintendo are about expectations. Clearly labeled performance targets, honest pre launch footage for both docked and handheld modes, and concrete details on content parity and online support will help players make an informed choice. If expectations are set correctly, the Switch 2 version can be judged on what it actually delivers rather than what it could never realistically match from a PS5.
Early verdict: cautious optimism for skyfarers on Switch 2
Based on the first gameplay footage, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok on Nintendo Switch 2 looks like a smart if conservative adaptation. A 30 FPS target, dynamic resolution, trimmed geometry, and dialed back effects are all part of the expected tradeoff to get this sprawling co op RPG running on Nintendo’s hybrid successor.
If stability holds, and if Cygames follows through on full content parity with thoughtful online support, this version could give Relink a valuable second life on a platform hungry for deep, co op friendly RPGs. It will not be the prettiest or smoothest way to soar through the skies, but for many Nintendo players it may finally be the most accessible.
With a July 9, 2026 release lined up, there is still time for optimization passes and for Cygames to clarify cross play, cross save, and option suites. For now, cautious optimism feels appropriate. The sky is open, the airship is fueled, and Switch 2 owners may finally have a ticket aboard.