No visual on the target: CoD Modern Warfare 4 takes heat for low resolution
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is set to mark the franchise’s return to Nintendo platforms, but early impressions suggest the Switch 2 version may be making significant visual compromises to maintain performance.
When playing in docked mode, the game’s multiplayer mode typically aims for 60 frames per second, according to a few media outlets and content creators who have tested it before the public Switch 2 beta. While the picture quality has suffered, reports indicate that the frame rate may drop during more demanding moments.
Some reviewers have noted noticeable visual artefacts around buildings, weapons, and characters, as well as a very low base resolution. Reportedly, these problems worsen when the player moves quickly or the camera angles change, reducing the clarity that one would expect from a top-tier first-person shooter.
Activision claims that Modern Warfare 4 makes use of Nvidia’s DLSS technology on Switch 2, but some early reviewers have raised concerns about the solution’s efficacy. According to one Nintendo World Report reviewer, the outcomes were some of the worst examples of DLSS he had ever seen.
The game appears to fare better in handheld mode, where the smaller display can make the reduced resolution less obvious. Some testers also reported smoother perceived performance, potentially helped by the console’s variable refresh rate display.
Switch 2 beta will provide a wider test
Nintendo Switch 2 players were not included in the first early-access beta weekend, meaning broader impressions will have to wait until the open beta begins on August 28. The test is scheduled to run until September 1 and will give Switch 2 owners their first opportunity to assess the port directly before launch.
Activision and Infinity Ward have confirmed that Modern Warfare 4 is being developed natively for Switch 2 in partnership with Digital Legends. The release is particularly significant because it will be the first Modern Warfare title on a Nintendo platform in more than a decade. The full game is scheduled to launch on October 23 for Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
The Switch 2 concerns come as the wider beta has generated a mixed response. Infinity Ward has already adjusted the game following complaints about weapon lethality and other gameplay issues, demonstrating that the title remains subject to changes before release.
AI use and Ghost’s mask add to the debate
Technical performance is not the only issue surrounding Modern Warfare 4. The game’s Steam page includes a disclosure confirming that generative AI tools were used to develop some in-game assets, a decision that has prompted criticism from players already sensitive to the growing use of AI in game development. The beta’s Steam user rating was listed as mixed in the latest available data.
Meanwhile, another change has caught the attention of long-time fans: the beta allows players to remove Ghost’s iconic skull mask through an operator variant feature. The option, however, does not provide the straightforward identity reveal some players may have expected, adding another talking point to a beta already facing close scrutiny.
You Can Remove Ghost's Mask in Modern Warfare 4 using the NEW 'Operator Variant' Feature in the Emote Wheel: pic.twitter.com/ABJma6tvsy
— DETONATED (@DETONATEDcom) August 23, 2026
For Switch 2 owners, the open beta may therefore be decisive. If performance remains stable but image quality continues to lag behind competing versions, Activision will face questions over whether portability alone is enough to justify the technical compromises.
