Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2 – A Necessary Evil?

For the first time in over a decade, Call of Duty is making its return to Nintendo consoles this fall with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. While PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 2 will be getting the full experience, Switch 2 players are also getting access. After experiencing the beta weekend, it’s clear that while impressive for what it is, the Switch 2 port faces some serious compromises.

The Beta Weekend: A Mixed Bag

The recent open beta weekend offered a first look at how Modern Warfare 4 performs on Nintendo’s less powerful hardware. While the game technically runs, it’s hard to ignore the visual downgrades and performance hiccups that plague the experience.

The developers aimed for a smooth 60 FPS in both docked and handheld modes. While docked, the game mostly hits that target, albeit with occasional dips. However, achieving this framerate required significant compromises in visual fidelity. The result is a blurry, unstable mess on a TV screen.

Visual Compromises: A Blurry Mess

Standing still in multiplayer revealed a shimmering image filled with low-resolution textures and ugly visual artifacts. These compromises made it difficult to distinguish between players and environmental details. Mistaking pixels for players became a common occurrence, especially when multiple players were on screen.

What’s even more frustrating is that these sacrifices don’t translate into a better experience in handheld mode. In fact, performance takes a noticeable hit, rarely exceeding 45 FPS and dropping significantly during intense moments like explosions or close-quarters combat. Even the developers acknowledge the need for further optimization of the handheld version.

A Necessary Evil?

Look, I get it. Getting a visually stunning game like Modern Warfare 4 running on the Switch 2 is likely a monumental task. Kudos to the team for making it happen and delivering a playable experience. The campaign mode runs at a capped 30 FPS, which feels sluggish compared to the faster-paced multiplayer.

However, I can’t help but wonder who this version of Modern Warfare 4 is truly for? Someone excited to play Call of Duty in 2026 likely already owns a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC. Why settle for a compromised experience on Nintendo’s weaker hardware when you could have a much better-looking and smoother performance on other platforms?

During the beta weekend, crossplay was enabled, but Switch 2 players were few and far between. The lobbies were dominated by players on other platforms.

It feels like Modern Warfare 4 exists on Switch 2 primarily because Microsoft, Activision’s parent company, promised regulators that Call of Duty would remain a multiplatform franchise. This was a key condition for the acquisition of Activision and the approval of the deal. Now, Xbox is obligated to release this version, even if it’s not what most players want.

While I appreciate the effort, I’m skeptical that there’s a massive audience of Switch 2 owners who don’t own another console or PC and are eager to play Modern Warfare 4. Ultimately, this feels like a necessary evil rather than a genuine attempt to cater to a dedicated Nintendo fanbase.