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Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 : One minute review

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is a very capable projector. It comes in one of the more stylish designs I’ve seen for this class of projector, separating itself even from the latest group of more design-conscious models.

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 features a powerful RGB laser projection system that beams a bright enough picture for use in different environments. Its color is excellent, and it benefits from an optical zoom for more flexible placement.

For gamers, the VisionMaster Pro 2 can switch to a low-latency mode or even drop down to 1080p resolution to run at 240Hz. Alas, its speakers don’t quite live up to the visual performance, but that’s typical even for the best projectors.

All that capability comes at a price, with the VisionMaster Pro 2 listed for $2,999. This places it on the high end for this type of compact enthusiast home projector, even surpassing the Hisense C2 Ultra, which is nearly as capable and features an integrated gimbal stand and an additional speaker. Because of that, I’d point most people to the Hisense instead, but the VisionMaster Pro 2 still has the edge in terms of connectivity and looks, and it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to picture quality.

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Price & release date

Valerion's remote control is larger and more polished-looking than the ones you’ll typically find on Android and Google TV projectors (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: December 2024
• Price: $2,999

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 was released at the end of 2024. It launched with a price of $2,999, but has seen some discounts since then, including the July Amazon Prime Day sales event, where it dropped to the $2,599 range. The VisionMaster Pro 2 is available directly from Valerion as well as from Amazon.

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Specs

Screen sizes supported:

40-300 inches

Brightness (specified):

3,300 ISO lumens

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Optical technology:

Three-laser DLP

Smart TV:

Google TV

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 (with eARC), 1x USB-A 3.0, 1x USB-A 2.0, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio out, optical digital audio out

Dimensions (H x W x D):

7.30 x 10.20 x 9.20 inches

Weight:

15.4 pounds

A mute switch is provided on the projector's top surface for turning off the built-in mic used for Google voice commands (Image credit: Future)Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Design & features

The projector's extensive connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports plus a third with HDMI eARC support (Image credit: Future)

• Elegant design with a simple kickstand
• Built-in speakers and Google TV
• Optical zoom

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is gorgeously built. It has a metal chassis with ribs wrapping all around the sides and top of the device, giving it the appearance of a metal heat sink. The front and back are simpler, flat slabs of what feels like high-quality plastic (almost to the point that it could be glass).

Interestingly, Valerion includes a cover on the back to conceal its ports. This does give it a cleaner look, but only when it’s not in use, as you can’t even plug in the power if the cover is in place.

The VisionMaster Pro 2 includes a simple, heavy-duty foot underneath near the front that can prop it up to adjust the angle, and the back has two more little feet that can screw out to adjust the tilt. This isn’t quite as useful as the gimbal stands found on some competitors like the Hisense C2 Ultra, but Valerion does sell a quality metal unit of its own (a $139 option) that can attach to the VisionMaster Pro 2 and give it full-range tilting capabilities, and even the option to flip completely upside-down — helpful if you’re doing a mantel or bookshelf placement).

While the gimbal or foot can help adjust the projection somewhat, the projector’s optical zoom can be even more useful. This lets the VisionMaster Pro 2 shift from a 0.9:1 throw ratio up to 1.5:1. The projector can perform plenty of automated setup adjustments, like focus, keystone correction, and obstacle avoidance as well.

The VisionMaster Pro 2 supports the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats and is IMAX Enhanced. The projector offers Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for fast and stable wireless networking, though Ethernet is also available.

For this class of projector, the VisionMaster Pro 2 has a surprising selection of ports. Where many competitors would offer just two HDMI ports, the VisionMaster Pro 2 has three: two HDMI 2.1 and one HDMI 2.0 with eARC support. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack, an optical digital audio output, and two USB-A ports for data or powering dongles.

Like other laser projectors, the VisionMaster Pro 2 has an eye protection feature that is meant to dim the laser if someone stands in its path. But this feature proved incredibly inconsistent in my use. Sometimes the system's eye protection feature activates for no reason, and other times it's not nearly sensitive enough about things obviously out in front of it. Even when it seems to be working as intended, it’s rather slow to kick in.

To get up and running quickly, the projector offers Google TV and has a pair of built-in speakers, giving you everything you need to start streaming. And since this is the kind of projector you might take on the go, Valerion has included a carrying case made out of rigid styrofoam.

Valerion has put a bit of extra effort into its remote control, which is larger and more polished-looking than you’ll typically find on Android and Google TV projectors. It offers the standard navigation controls, a Google Assistant button, volume buttons, shortcuts to a handful of streaming services, and a dedicated input source button. There’s even some backlighting, but it doesn’t cover all of the buttons. The volume buttons are also not differentiated from a handful of other buttons, so you can’t just feel them out without also memorizing where they are.

The projector can also listen for voice commands, responding to a quick “Hey, Google.” And if you don’t want the projector to listen, there’s a mute switch on the top.

• Design & features score: 4/5

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Picture & sound quality

An RGB laser light engine gives the picture the potential for dazzling color (Image credit: Future)

• Bright and colorful picture
• Strong contrast
• Smooth-running operating system

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 beams an excellent-looking picture. It's plenty bright for even fairly well-lit rooms, though dark scenes don’t look as good. It also has strong contrast that can be further enhanced by changing some of the default picture settings.

The triple-laser light source has the same advantages I’ve seen from other projectors like the Hisense C2 Ultra and Hisense PX3-Pro, giving the picture the potential for truly dazzling color. The VisionMaster Pro 2 isn’t inclined to overdo the color in its main HDR and SDR picture presets, however, instead keeping it more balanced and natural.

Like many other projectors, the VisionMaster Pro 2 comes out of the box with some unfortunate motion smoothing enabled. This may serve to smooth out panning shots in movies, but it also introduces so many weird motion artifacts that it calls for disabling. The lowest motion setting, Film, avoids the most distracting artifacts while still looking smooth with camera movement. The projector also provides an option to customize the motion smoothing with two adjustable settings, letting you dial it in as you like.

Black levels are decently low, but not low enough that the letterbox bars in widescreen movies look truly black. But with a few tweaks to the settings, specifically enabling active contrast and dynamic laser luminance, the overall brightness can dim down for wonderfully deep black levels in dark scenes. This doesn’t play well with subtitles, however, as they’ll sometimes brighten the picture up.

The display is also up to snuff for gaming. It can deliver 4K 60Hz with reasonably low input lag in its game mode. And for those who want to really dial up the gaming performance, it can drop down to 1080p and run at up to 240Hz for ultra-smooth visuals.

Two adjustable feet can be used for tilt correction during setup (Image credit: Future)

The speakers inside the VisionMaster Pro 2 aren’t bad, putting out enough sound to fill a small room. They sound fairly full, too, but there’s little getting around the narrow soundstage they present. Even simple stereo sound isn’t presented well. And occasionally, deeper voices can sound a little resonant, giving them an unnatural quality.

One easy-to-overlook aspect of projector performance that the VisionMaster Pro 2 deserves credit for is its operating system. It runs Google TV like many other projectors, but appears to have a faster processor and more memory to help it run smoother than some of its competition. This makes it much easier to use the projector, whether you’re browsing Google TV or just want to quickly switch over to another input.

• Picture and sound quality score: 4/5

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Value

The projector's sturdy styrofoam case can be used for transport (Image credit: Future)

• Highly integrated package
• On the expensive end for projectors in this class
• All-in-one design enhances value

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is expensive, but you get a lot for that money. It presents a more colorful and bigger image than most TVs, and compared to 100-inch TVs, it’s not so expensive. That said, it is on the expensive side for this category of projector. The Hisense C2 Ultra is just as pricey, though it has an integrated gimbal stand. It has also seen more discounts in the time since its launch than the VisionMaster Pro 2 has.

Still, the VisionMaster Pro 2 can do plenty. Its projection system is flexible, and it’s good for casual viewing in bright rooms, while delivering cinematic quality in dark rooms. You can opt for 4K with broad HDR support or zoom along at 1080p 240Hz for high-speed gaming. Also, having the Google TV smart TV system baked in never hurts, especially when it runs as smoothly as it does here.

It’s just a shame the VisionMaster Pro 2’s speakers aren’t better, and that it doesn’t come with a more adjustable stand.

• Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2?

(Image credit: Future)Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design and features

Simple but elegant design, and packs plenty of features for a fully-integrated system. The remote could be better, as could the eye protection

4/5

Picture and sound quality

An excellent picture with plenty of tools to adjust it to your liking. It even runs Google TV well, but the speakers don’t keep up

4/5

Value

Faces the diminishing returns of high-end products, but is still a good value thanks to its ability to beam a huge, bright, and colorful image from an all-in-one device.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful and flexible
The VisionMaster Pro 2 has an excellent projection system. It beams brightly and has rich color and strong contrast. Thanks to its zoom lens, you should have an easier time placing it without having to crop the imageView Deal

You want a gaming projector
While the VisionMaster Pro 2 is fantastic for home cinema, it’s also strong for gaming. If you want a projector that can do both quite well, it has you covered.View Deal

You like your tech to be pretty
One thing that sets the VisionMaster Pro 2 apart is how elegant it looks. The metal chassis is something to behold, and the remote looks pretty classy as well. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re not too picky about visuals
The VisionMaster Pro 2 provides an excellent picture, but it comes at a high price. If you don’t need all the brightness and color this projector offers, there are much cheaper models that can otherwise tick a lot of the same boxes.View Deal

You don’t care for Google TV
For some, Google TV will be an advantage. But if you don’t need it, the Hisense C2 Ultra offers just about everything that the VisionMaster Pro 2 does, has a few extra features (like a “subwoofer” and gimbal stand), and tends to be cheaper.View Deal

You want one projector to handle everything
The VisionMaster Pro 2 is brilliant as far as visuals go, and it even has a good, smooth-running streaming platform. But its speakers don;t come close to matching the projection quality.View Deal

Also considerComparison: portable projectors

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2

BenQ GP520

Hisense C2 Ultra

JMGO N1S Pro 4K

Price:

$2,999

$1,499

$2,999

$1,999

Screen sizes supported:

40 to 300 inches

50 to 180 inches

65-300 inches

85 to 180 inches

Brightness (specified):

3,000 ISO lumens

2,600 lumens

3,000 lumens

2,400 lumens

HDR support

HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision

HDR10+, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG

HDR10, HLG

Optical technology:

RGB Laser DLP

LED DLP

RGB Laser DLP

RGB Laser DLP

Smart TV:

Google TV

Google TV

Vidaa OS

Google TV

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 with eARC, 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm

2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1x USB-C (PD Out, DP In, 2x USB-A 1x 3.5mm

2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 2x USB-A, 1x S/PDIF, Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm, Bluetooth

HDMI x2 (x1 eARC), USB-A (power), 3.5mm

BenQ GP520

At half the price, the BenQ GP520 naturally makes some trade-offs. It’s not as elegant, not as bright, not as colorful, and doesn’t have as extensive support for HDR formats. But if you just want to go big with 4K, it can do that job pretty well.

Read our BenQ GP520 review View Deal

JMGO N1S Pro

If you’re watching in a dark room anyway and don’t mind a little slower Google TV experience, the JMGO N1S Pro will let you save a good deal of money while still getting a gorgeous 4K picture from an RGB laser projection system. You’ll miss out on optical zoom and 1080p 240Hz capabilities, though.

Read our JMGO N1S Pro reviewView Deal

Hisense C2 Ultra

Almost the VisionMaster Pro 2’s equal in every way (including price), the Hisense C2 Ultra is a solid alternative. It runs its own VIDAA OS, but it’s a quick one. It also has a built-in gimbal stand and a bonus “subwoofer” speaker. And since the C2 Ultra is a little bit older (don’t worry, not by much), it has had an opportunity for discounts.

Read our Hisense C2 Ultra reviewView Deal

How I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2

• Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
• Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
• I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed nsd Blu-ray content, HDR and non-HDR, and PC gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

• First reviewed: July, 2025
• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

The tournament heads to Atlanta as the Cherries take on the Hammers.

• The Wacom Pro Pen 3 delivers precision drawing without needing a battery or Bluetooth pairing
• Wacom MovinkPad 11 uses a matte screen that reduces glare and enhances pen control significantly
• Android’s lack of Photoshop and Illustrator support continues to limit mobile creative workflows overall

Wacom’s MovinkPad 11 is an unusual addition to the Android tablet space, not because of its processing power or app ecosystem, but due to one standout feature: support for the Wacom Pro Pen 3.

According to PCWatch, this device costs just under 70,000 yen (approximately $471), making it cheaper than many competing tablets, and includes the same pen technology trusted by professional artists.

Still, its appeal seems tailored to a very specific audience, and it’s worth asking whether its strengths truly outweigh its compromises.

A familiar pen, now in a standalone tablet

The MovinkPad 11 comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 3, which, unlike many battery-powered options, uses EMR (electromagnetic resonance) to achieve low-latency, battery-free performance.

It’s long been favored by digital artists working with pen displays like the Cintiq and Intuos Pro.

Now, with this Android tablet, Wacom appears to be targeting users who want to practice professional-level pen input without needing a full computer setup.

From a usability standpoint, the experience is generally fluid, particularly when using drawing apps like CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT, which comes pre-installed.

However, the lack of Android versions of Adobe’s photo editing software remains a limitation for users who rely on tools like Photoshop or Illustrator.

This device features an 11.45-inch display with a resolution of 2200 x 1440, and it also uses a matte finish that resists glare and fingerprints.

This surface, combined with the Pro Pen 3’s fine pressure sensitivity, does offer a more natural feel than the glossy panels found on many mainstream tablets.

For illustration software, where pen glide and surface resistance matter, this hardware combination is a major advantage.

But as an Android tablet, the MovinkPad 11 is less impressive because it runs on a midrange MediaTek Helio G99 processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

That’s sufficient for drawing and basic multitasking, but not exceptional.

Despite its salient selling points, Wacom’s software decisions raise valid questions.

The custom interface, Wacom UX, allows for quick access to a sketching app called Wacom Canvas, even when the device is locked.

This might appeal to beginners eager to sketch instantly, but the lack of biometric authentication and broader Android productivity features may feel restrictive.

Likewise, while it’s handy that third-party EMR pens also work with the device, the software ecosystem surrounding Android remains limited for serious graphic design software users.

The MovinkPad 11 feels more like it fills a niche and neither stands as a powerful Android tablet, nor is it aimed at established professionals.

Instead, it’s an accessible entry point for students and hobbyists hoping to develop their skills using the same tools found in professional environments.

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• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 may get a new shade
• It's the Moonstone color linked to the Pixel 10
• New gadgets are arriving on August 20

In the various Google Pixel 10 leaks we've come across recently, there's been a lot of a particular color involved: a grayey-bluey type of shade which is apparently called Moonstone. Now it seems the shade will be rolling out to Google's other gadgets too.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the existing Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds are now listed as being available in Moonstone, if you switch to the 3D view – though it's possible the change may have been rolled back by the time you're reading this.

What's more, the light green known as Wintergreen looks to be going away, as Moonstone replaces it in the listing. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 were launched in August last year, so it's perfectly possible that they're getting a refresh after 12 months.

There's no doubt that Google is keen on this Moonstone color: so far we've only seen one official teaser for the Pixel 10 launch event on Wednesday, August 20, and it shows off what we think is the Pixel 10 Pro in the Moonstone shade.

What we've heard so far

An official snap of the Pixel 10 Pro... in Moonstone (Image credit: Google)

Another leak has shown off everything we're expecting on August 20 in Moonstone: the Pixel 10, the Pixel Watch 4, and the Pixel Buds 2a. Other colors will of course be available, but it looks like this is going to be the primary one.

Aside from the colors, there have been plenty of leaks and rumors swirling around. The Pixel 10 series of phones – and there should be four of them again, like last year – are rumored to be introducing MagSafe-style wireless charging to Android for the first time.

As for the Google Pixel Watch 4, we've heard that it's going to get a rather interesting new charging system, and come in at the same sort of prices that we saw with the Pixel Watch 3 last year – with some Fitbit and YouTube promos bundled in for good measure.

We haven't heard quite as much about the Google Pixel Buds 2a, but the updated earbuds could bring with them a tweaked design if the rumors are true. We will of course bring you all the official announcements, as they happen.

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• Lecoo Mini Pro includes Radeon 780M graphics and dual USB4 ports for GPU expansion
• AMD’s Ryzen 7 8745H powers the system with strong Zen 4 performance across eight cores
• Two 2.5G Ethernet jacks allow for flexible networking options rarely seen in mini PCs

Lenovo has quietly released a new Lecoo-branded mini PC in China called the Mini Pro, a system which combines relatively strong performance with a compact, low-power design.

Lecoo is not a widely known brand in Lenovo’s global portfolio, but it joins a long list of sub-brands the company manages, including Motorola Mobility, Lenovo NEC, Medion, and LOQ.

While most of these brands have defined market positions or regional focuses, Lecoo appears to be geared toward affordable consumer tech and accessories.

A compact system priced for budget-conscious users

Priced between $363 and $615 depending on configuration, the Lecoo Mini Pro enters the same market space as many affordable workstation alternatives.

This device is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 8745H processor, a chip that belongs to the Hawk Point family and is similar to the Ryzen 7 8745HS.

It includes the integrated Radeon 780M graphics, which means it can tackle low to mid-tier gaming workloads.

For heavier graphical use, the system’s two USB4 ports allow for external GPU connectivity, a feature becoming more common on newer business PC setups and one that extends its capabilities beyond typical office work.

Internally, the Lecoo Mini Pro supports up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 5600MHz and offers dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for storage, pushing it close to workstation PC territory in terms of memory and drive expansion.

Despite the hardware capacity, the Lecoo Mini Pro remains a palm-sized and low-power device.

Even in its highest performance mode (70W), the thermal output is kept under control using dual fans and an aluminum chassis, and Lenovo says the noise level of this device is as low as 32 decibels in quiet mode.

Another strength of this device is connectivity, and it supports a mix of legacy and modern accessories - as it includes two USB4 ports, two 2.5G Ethernet jacks, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and multiple USB-A ports while also supporting Wi-Fi 6 as its only wireless option.

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The Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+ are bringing Providence Falls to fans from August 2 in a three-part ‘event’ (think miniseries, only it’s three movies rather than episodes). The new three-part film series follows Cora (Katie Stevens), a new cop on the scene suddenly partnered with the rogue and spaced-out Liam (Lachlan Quarmby). The reason Liam’s not all there isn’t an obvious one, having been sent to Cora from their past lives in 1800s Ireland to make sure she falls in love with her fated romantic partner, Finn (Evan Roderick).

Essentially, we’ve got a period drama, police procedural and whodunnit murder mystery all happening at the same time, with one plot staying wrapped within another at all times. This will make much more sense as you watch it, and I promise the line between a satisfying payoff and having enough clues to crack without things being too confusing is an ideal balance. As these are Hallmark movies, after all, you can probably take a good guess at how the series ends.

But while the ending ties up some loose threads, does this really mean we’re leaving Providence Falls for good? I think it’s a world too rich to abandon, and when I put this to the cast, they already had their own ideas for a return.

Providence Falls could continue to exist in the wider Hallmark universe

“I hope [Providence Falls returns], it's a fun universe,” star Roderick tells me. “I think there's an opportunity to bring back the angels of destiny, and have that be the rock of the show. I mean, that would be a really, really cool concept moving forward, if the fans love it.”

As far as I’m concerned, Roderick’s elevator pitch is a Hallmark goldmine. The Angels of Destiny storyline could be applied to absolutely any character we’ve met over the past few decades, and could even work in the context of continuing shows such as The Chicken Sisters, When Calls the Heart and The Way Home. Anybody who has a dodgy run-in or awkward storyline gets a chance for redemption, even if they have to die in order to do so.

Granted, the number of people who have died in Hallmark projects is slim to none, meaning fresh recruits like Liam might need to be drafted in for Providence Falls to continue. But if the angels and main cast aren’t coming back (their storylines have basically been wrapped up, after all), there’s still the town itself. Everything we love about shows like Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing is now sitting in Hallmark’s lap, and they’d be silly not to utilise that.

Does Providence Falls now have the legs to be a springboard for a bigger ongoing series? I’d say absolutely. Of course, the same storyline can’t be replicated, but if Hallmark wants to replicate the out-of-the-box success of The Way Home or find a rival for Virgin River, they best start listening to Roderick’s idea.

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I don’t envy CD Projekt Red. The task of cramming a gigantic open-world role-playing game (RPG) into a highly compressed package for a new portable console in time for launch day must have been a daunting one.

Even so, the developer has managed something spectacular with Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, which stands apart as easily the most ambitious and accomplished Nintendo Switch 2 port yet.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: June 5, 2025

This is the definitive Cyberpunk 2077 package, complete with its superb Phantom Liberty expansion and almost five years of content updates. I must admit that I was less than thrilled with the game back at launch in 2020 thanks to its abysmal performance, bugs, and countless missing features, but today, having been thoroughly polished up, it's without a doubt one of the best RPGs around and offers hundreds of hours of entertainment.

Play your way

(Image credit: CD Projekt)

If you’ve never tried Cyberpunk 2077 before, the Switch 2 version is a worthy place to start. Set in a nightmarish vision of the not-too-distant future, you are V - a fully customizable protagonist. The character creator here is fantastic, thanks in no small part to the sheer number of post-launch additions like new hairstyles and make-up options that it received, and equips you with everything that you need to achieve your desired look.

You could easily spend hours carefully tweaking its many, many sliders, or simply opt for something from the robust selection of presets to jump right in. After nailing your appearance, you’re asked to select a Life Path, effectively your character backstory.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

In a world of Game-Key Card releases, you have to give some credit to CD Projekt Red. The physical Nintendo Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition comes loaded on a 64GB cartridge, letting you play without a download right out of the box.

There are three to choose from: a wandering nomad, a high-flying corporate fixer, or a basic street thug. Each one dramatically alters the game’s opening, which can spice up subsequent playthroughs, but has a limited impact outside of that. You get a few new dialogue options every now and then, plus the odd unique quest or too, but you shouldn’t expect a radically different experience.

Thankfully, the massive skill trees offer more than enough variety to make repeat playthroughs worthwhile. They’re packed with interesting abilities and cater to a wide range of playstyles. I’ve been an unstoppable axe-wielding giant with the ability to take hits like a fridge, a nimble hacker picking off opponents one at a time completely undetected, and a flashy gunslinger landing deadly critical hits with my pistols.

The option to outfit your character with a range of Cyberware (futuristic body enhancements) brings an even greater level of fine-tuning. From enhanced eyesight to super-powered jumps and electric punches, you may be spoiled for choice, but you’re not going to struggle to find one that suits your desired approach.

Back in the neon streets

(Image credit: CD Projekt)

The Night City setting has always been a visual treat, and it holds up surprisingly well on Nintendo Switch 2. You have two graphics presets to choose from; the standard Quality and Performance modes, but, uniquely, the option to choose a different one for either handheld or docked play. Both target a 1080p picture when docked, with Quality aiming for 30fps and Performance going for 40fps.

Although you do benefit from slightly prettier lighting and reflections in Quality, I would recommend Performance mode all the way when docked, as the framerate is not only higher but less prone to small drops. The resolution can take a noticeable hit every now and then, especially in busier firefights, but never enough to truly spoil the experience.

It’s a huge improvement compared to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of Cyberpunk 2077 either way, and doesn’t feel too far off from the kind of performance you would expect on the Xbox Series S - a great result for a portable, slim machine.

(Image credit: CD Projekt)

Performance is also my preference in handheld mode, where it targets 720p at 40fps. The resolution is a little higher in Quality mode, but I don’t think it’s worth losing performance over. Visuals have been noticeably dialed down in handheld compared to docked, but honestly it can be hard to spot many of the cutbacks on the far smaller 7.9inch Nintendo Switch 2 screen compared to a 4K TV.

The game certainly holds up significantly better than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, another sprawling RPG from the same studio, did back on the original Nintendo Switch. That was undeniably an impressive port too, but the much lower-power hardware led to far more compromised visuals.

Unfortunately, it does fall apart a little when you get to the content from the Phantom Liberty expansion. The neon-lit district of Dogtown pushes the Nintendo Switch 2 to its absolute limits, especially if you start trading fire with its many armed goons. Again, the performance never renders the game unplayable - but it’s noticeably more jagged.

Overall, this handheld performance still puts the Nintendo Switch 2 firmly ahead of its biggest competitor: the Steam Deck OLED. Moving from my Steam Deck to Nintendo Switch 2, the difference was night a day. Playing on Nintendo Switch 2 felt smoother and the visuals were much more consistent throughout.

The higher resolution 1080p screen of the Nintendo Switch 2 also leads to a significantly more crisp picture, though the Steam Deck OLED’s OLED panel does offer brighter colors on the whole.

Hack and slash

(Image credit: CD Projekt)

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition also takes full advantage of a wealth of Nintendo Switch 2 hardware features. There’s support for motion controls with the Joy-Con 2 controllers, allowing you to slash enemies with melee weapons by swinging your arms or aim weapons more precisely with the in-built gyroscope. Mouse controls are also present, which is a blessing if you like to run around with a sniper rifle.

The smart progression sharing system even lets you seamlessly continue your saves from PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. This is a game changer for a title of this size, and a fantastic reason to buy on Nintendo Switch 2. Nothing quite beats the feeling of playing for a few hours on PC before heading out for a flight safe in the knowledge that you can pick up exactly where you left off on the move.

This all results in a Nintendo Switch 2 launch game that’s easy to recommend. It’s a real showcase of the system’s technical chops, utilizes its exclusive features well, and, on top of all that, hosts a rich RPG experience with plenty to do and lots of reasons to replay.

Should I play Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition?Play it if…

You’ve never played Cyberpunk 2077 before
This Ultimate Edition is the perfect starting point if you’ve never tried Cyberpunk before. You get all of the content right out of the box, including the Phantom Liberty expansion. You also benefit from many past content updates and fixes.View Deal

You already adore the game and want to play it on the move
Thanks to the progression sharing system, you can jump straight into your existing saves from PC, PlayStation, or Xbox which makes the Nintendo Switch 2 version a great way to continue playing while you’re out and about.View Deal

You want a meaty launch title
Cyberpunk 2077 is a massive experience that you can easily sink hundreds of hours into. If you’re only buying a few Nintendo Switch 2 launch games and want the most bang for your buck, this one is a must.View Deal

Don’t play it if…

You want the very smoothest performance
Look, the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t the PS5 Pro. In fact, it performs worse than even the base PS5 even when it's in docked mode. Don’t go into this version expecting the smoothest possible performance or the best looking visuals or you’ll be disappointed.View Deal

Accessibility features

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition features a dedicated accessibility menu with plenty of options. This includes interface customization, such as the ability to enable different colorblind modes (protanopia, tritanopia, and deuteranopia), increase the size of HUD elements, or remove visual effects.

Subtitles are featured throughout the game, with options to change the size and appearance of them. There are also plenty of difficulty options, plus aim assist features for those who find the combat a challenge.

How I reviewed Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

I played Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for more than 15 hours on Nintendo Switch 2. During this time I endeavoured to complete as much content as possible and compared my experience to my testing of the PlayStation 5 and PC versions of the game.

I tested both docked and handheld mode, taking the Nintendo Switch 2 out and about on a variety of trips. While on planes or trains, I relied on my trusty pair of Final VR500 earbuds for audio. When playing in docked mode, I used either the Joy-Con 2 controllers or the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

First reviewed August 2025

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