If you're planning to play Modern Warfare 4 online on Switch 2, the frame rate isn't the number to watch. In its tech review of the Switch 2 version, Digital Foundry finds that multiplayer matches the 60fps target of PS5 and Xbox, which is the good news for cross-platform play. The catch is input latency, and that's what decides how the game feels in a gunfight.
Xarmo has already covered the Switch 2 launch itself. This piece is about what Digital Foundry's testing means once you're actually playing.
All the measurements below are Digital Foundry's, and we haven't run our own tests. They're worth reading with the video's own note in mind: the latency results relate to multiplayer only.
Why latency beats frame rate here
Input latency is the gap between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen. Frame rate tells you how smooth the picture is, while latency tells you how quickly the game answers you. In a shooter, that's the difference between a shot that lands on time and one that lands late.
Digital Foundry gets to the numbers at 9:02, and they're the headline of the review. It measures 49.1ms on PS5, 80.7ms on Switch 2 docked and 100ms on Switch 2 in portable play. So docked Switch 2 is around 30ms behind PS5 in that test, and portable sits around 50ms behind. The reviewers' view is that the extra latency stops multiplayer feeling as responsive as it does on PS5 or Xbox.
That matters because of who you're playing against. Cross-platform play means you can end up in the same lobby as those consoles. You can't practise your way out of hardware latency, but you can pick the setup that helps most, and on these numbers that's docked play. If you care about ranked results, that's your first step. If you're here for casual matches on the couch, it's far less of a problem.
The visuals hold up better than you'd expect
The rest of the review is much kinder. Digital Foundry says the campaign runs at 30fps, a clear compromise next to other platforms, but it's impressed that so much of the engine's feature set made it across. It also rates the 30fps lock as a sensible choice for stability in heavy action scenes. DMZ aims for 40fps on a 120Hz display.
The image quality section starts at 2:44. Digital Foundry prefers Nvidia DLSS to SMAA overall because it does a far better job with transparent effects and particle motion, even though the static image is a little softer. Its figures have docked play targeting 900p with drops as low as 450p at worst, and portable play targeting 720p with drops to 360p. If you're choosing a setting, DLSS is its pick.
The side-by-side comparison with Series S and PS5 at 6:18 is the place to see the differences for yourself. Digital Foundry also notes an 88GB install on Switch 2 against 120GB on PS5.
What viewers said
Comments up to the six-hour mark split in a familiar way. The most direct reaction called the latency disappointing and worse than any graphics or frame-rate hiccups, which lines up with the review's emphasis without proving anything. Others said the game had improved a lot since the beta and hoped for more work, and some defended how much the Switch 2 achieves on so little power.
Our take: this is a strong port that's let down at the exact point competitive players care about most. Play the campaign however you like. For multiplayer, dock it, use DLSS, and keep your expectations in check against PS5 lobbies. The verdict at 11:56 is the bit to watch if you're still deciding.
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