Switch 2 GameChat Boosts Frame Rates in Capcom RE Engine Games

Nintendo's Switch 2 GameChat feature can boost frame rates in certain Capcom RE Engine games, according to performance analysis by Digital Foundry. The feature, which overlays a video chat window on the game screen, appears to have an unexpected side effect in titles like Pragmata and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.

Digital Foundry discovers performance gains

In Pragmata, frame rates jumped from 54 fps to 60 fps when using a small GameChat window. A medium window yielded 58 fps, while a large window dropped performance to 46 fps. The trade-off is resolution: with the smallest GameChat option, the game renders at 360p, down from 540p. In Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, frame rates rose from 50 fps to 60 fps with GameChat active.

Digital Foundry noted that in other Switch 2 games, such as Layers of Fear, GameChat caused a frame rate drop of about 7.5%. The reason why RE Engine games show the opposite behavior is under investigation.

Nintendo has not commented on the performance findings. The company has not confirmed a release date or pricing for the Switch 2.