Sonic Frontiers is officially out today on all major platforms, and a video comparing the graphics of the PS5 and Switch versions of the game has already been made. While the video does show the new Sonic title running smoothly on both the Sony and Nintendo consoles, it also displays noticeable differences in visual fidelity between the two.
The latest mainline entry in the long-running Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, Sonic Frontiers is a departure from many of the formulaic elements that, for better or worse, have largely defined the series. The first major Sonic game released since 2017's divisive Sonic Forces, the new Sonic Frontiers has often been compared to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, although the game's producers have frequently pushed back on such comparisons in the run-up to the game's release.
Well-documented over nearly seven minutes, the Sonic Frontiers graphical comparison video from GameXplain gives viewers a good idea of how exactly the game looks on each console. While the PS5 version is able to run at either 1080p at 60FPS or 4K at 30FPS, the Switch version is locked at 720p at 30FPS, whether docked or undocked. The most noticeable difference is with the various environmental textures, with the Switch visuals looking substantially less crisp than its counterpart. Fans seem to be taking it in stride, however, with most comments stating how well the Switch version can keep up with the PS5.
The graphical comparison video comes just days after Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka stated Sonic Frontiers would be the "same experience" on Switch as it is on other platforms. While the developer stated that the most "high-end" version of visual assets will be relegated to PC, Sonic Frontiers' Hedgehog Engine gives the Switch version game a comparable look to PS5 and Xbox Series X. Iizuka did note the development process for the portable console had been "extremely challenging," but it seems that their efforts have largely paid off.
Unfortunately, the comparative visual downgrade isn't anything new for Switch ports of Sonic the Hedgehog titles. The same visual fidelity issues occurred in 2021's Sonic Colors: Ultimate on Switch as well, with the remastered game also locked at 720p at 30FPS. Although Sonic Frontiers looks a bit closer to its counterparts - being an entirely new game - the fact remains that the Switch just isn't as powerful a console as the PS5 or the Xbox Series X, meaning games will generally always look a little fuzzier on the system.
Regardless of platform, the game seems to be garnering an overall positive reception. And that's good news for Sonic Team as Sonic Frontiers is meant to evolve the franchise as a whole.
Sonic Frontiers is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.