Capcom's Resident Evil 4 remake arrived on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16, 2026 as the Gold Edition, bundling the 2023 remake with its major DLC, including Separate Ways. TechRadar's review calls it a good but imperfect port: it plays smoothly for the most part, but texture pop-in and a few frame drops show its limits. Here is what to expect before you buy.
Performance in handheld and docked mode
Frame rates are generally smooth and the game looks good, especially docked. The most noticeable flaw is texture pop-in: trees and cliffs appear low-resolution at a distance and sharpen as you approach, in both handheld and docked play. TechRadar also saw brief frame drops lasting a second or two in specific scenes, such as a cave lit by a flickering purple flame, and distant enemy movement can look slightly choppy. Combat itself stayed smooth.
Motion controls
The Switch 2 version supports gyro aiming. Vertical aiming is precise and responsive, but horizontal movement feels sluggish by comparison, so motion aiming takes some getting used to. Traditional stick controls work well, and several control schemes are available.
What is included in the Gold Edition
The Gold Edition includes the full Resident Evil 4 remake plus its major DLC, most notably the Separate Ways campaign, which adds meaningful extra playtime. The game is also available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and iOS.
Should you buy Resident Evil 4 on Switch 2?
- Buy it if portability is the priority and you want a great survival horror game for handheld play.
- Look elsewhere if you care most about visual fidelity; the PS5, Xbox Series X and PC versions look and run better.
- Check the price first: with Switch 2 prices rising, factor in the total cost if you are also buying the console.
If you prefer physical copies for long-term ownership, our explainer on what happens to digital games when servers shut down is worth a read.
When did Resident Evil 4 come out on Switch 2?
The Gold Edition launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16, 2026.
Does Resident Evil 4 on Switch 2 include Separate Ways?
Yes. The Gold Edition includes the major DLC, including the Separate Ways campaign.
Does Resident Evil 4 on Switch 2 support motion controls?
Yes. It supports gyro aiming, though horizontal motion aiming feels less responsive than vertical aiming.
