Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition doesn't maximize Switch 2 specs, missing features of PS4 port
The shadow drop of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition for Switch handhelds took many fans by surprise. While it’s a convenient way to revisit the adventures of Lara Croft, the Switch 2 version may be a missed opportunity. An ElAnalistaDeBits technical analysis reveals deficiencies in lighting and other visual perks compared to the 2014 PS4 title.
Nintendo’s eShop has separate listings for the Switch and the newer console, with differing file sizes. Even so, as seen in the video, Crystal Dynamics did not fully take advantage of the Switch 2 specs. The handheld supports ray tracing in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077. Sadly, the lighting effects in the Tomb Raider remaster are barebones. It's also apparent that shadows lack the depth expected in the remaster.
Playing from a third-person perspective, it’s also obvious that Lara Croft doesn’t benefit from AMD’s TressFX hair technology. With the PS4 release, the developers boasted how strands of hair moved realistically.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition has some worthwhile Switch 2 upgrades
The news isn’t all negative for the Switch 2 game, as it does boast a higher resolution than the Switch or PS4 titles. Also, the PlayStation console often struggled to maintain 60 fps, which isn’t an issue now. Players can experiment with mouse control, though it can feel awkward without tweaks.
Even at $20 or less, some fans believe that the developers could have put more effort into the project. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition first appeared in 2013 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows. Despite a more modern GPU than the PS4, the Switch 2 port shares too many features with older releases.
The latest disappointment isn’t the first time a re-release of a Tomb Raider game has taken shortcuts. The same parent company controls Aspyr Media and Crystal Dynamics. In the 2025 Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered, Aspyr was accused of using an AI voice generator to replicate a French actress’s voiceovers. After an outcry, the publisher removed the Lara Croft dialogue from the title.
