Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Nintendo Switch 2 Review
When we reviewed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle back in December 2024, it quickly became one of our favourite games of that year. It captured the spirit of Indiana Jones in a way few licensed games manage, blending cinematic presentation, exploration, puzzles, stealth, and adventure into something that felt worthy of the name. In our original review, we praised its classic film-inspired pacing, dramatic lighting, cinematic camera work, and the way it made each escape, discovery, and puzzle feel larger than life.
Now, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has arrived on Nintendo Switch 2, and the biggest question is simple: how does it perform?
The answer is better than expected, even if it comes with some clear visual compromises.
A full adventure in your hands
The most impressive thing about Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Nintendo Switch 2 is that it exists in this form at all. This is a large, high-quality cinematic adventure that originally felt built for more powerful hardware, yet being able to play it anywhere in handheld mode is genuinely impressive.
The game still carries the same sense of adventure that made it stand out the first time around. You are still exploring ancient locations, solving puzzles, sneaking past enemies, getting into fist fights, and watching cinematic moments unfold with that classic Indiana Jones energy. The heart of the experience remains intact.
For players who missed it during its original release, this is still the same excellent adventure. The Switch 2 version does not feel like a lesser version in terms of content or structure. It is still Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, just with some expected technical trade-offs.
Visuals are impressive, but pop-in is noticeable
Visually, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle still impresses on Nintendo Switch 2. The lighting effects remain strong, shadows help sell the mood of each environment, and there are still reflections present throughout the game, even if they are lighter and less pronounced than on more powerful platforms.
The game’s atmosphere survives the transition very well. Ancient temples, dark corridors, outdoor environments, and cinematic scenes still carry weight. There is a level of visual ambition here that makes the Switch 2 version feel special, especially in handheld mode.
That said, pop-in is very noticeable. Objects and environmental details can appear in a way that reminds you this version is working within limits. Image quality can also look softer than what players may be used to on other platforms. According to previously shared technical details, the Switch 2 version targets 1080p while docked and 720p in handheld mode, using DLSS to help maintain those resolutions when the native image drops.
Even with those trade-offs, the game still looks good overall. The sacrifices are visible, but they do not erase the quality of the adventure.
30fps works for this kind of game
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle targets 30 frames per second on Nintendo Switch 2. MachineGames has said this was done to maintain a strong, high-quality experience on the platform.
For some games, 30fps would be a major issue. Here, it is much easier to accept. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is not a fast-paced twitch shooter or competitive action game. It is slower, more deliberate, and built around exploration, stealth, puzzle-solving, and cinematic adventure.
Because of that, the 30fps target does not hurt the experience as much as it might in another title. Movement still feels playable, combat remains manageable, and the pacing of the game fits the frame rate well.
Would a higher frame rate have been nice? Absolutely. But for this specific game, the 30fps target feels reasonable.
The same great experience, now portable
The best part of this version is that the core experience remains the same. Everything we enjoyed about the original release still works here. The adventure still feels authentic. The environments are still exciting to explore. The puzzles still fit the Indiana Jones fantasy. The cinematic moments still land.
The Switch 2 version does not reinvent the game, nor does it need to. Its biggest selling point is convenience. Having a game of this scale in handheld form is a major win, especially for players who enjoy taking big cinematic adventures on the go.
There are technical compromises, but they feel understandable considering the scope of the game. What matters most is that the adventure itself survives the jump.
Strengths
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Nintendo Switch 2 keeps the heart of the original experience intact while making it fully portable. The game still delivers excellent adventure design, strong cinematic presentation, satisfying exploration, and the same classic Indiana Jones feeling that made it one of our favourite games of 2024. Visually, it remains impressive for the hardware, with strong lighting, shadows, and some reflection work helping preserve the atmosphere. The 30fps target works well enough because the game is not built around fast-paced action, and being able to experience this kind of high-quality adventure in handheld mode is genuinely exciting.
Weaknesses
The biggest issue with the Nintendo Switch 2 version is the noticeable pop-in, which can pull you out of the experience when environmental details load in too obviously. The image quality can also look softer compared to other platforms, and players expecting a major visual showcase may need to adjust their expectations. While 30fps is acceptable for this style of game, it is still a limitation, and those who played on more powerful hardware will notice the difference. Even so, these trade-offs do not ruin the experience, but they do make it clear this version is built around smart compromises.
Final Verdict
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle remains a must-play adventure, and its arrival on Nintendo Switch 2 gives more players a great reason to finally jump in.
Yes, pop-in is noticeable. Yes, the visuals are softer than other versions. And yes, the game targets 30fps. But none of that takes away from the fact that this is still a fantastic Indiana Jones adventure that works surprisingly well on Nintendo’s new hardware.
For players who missed it the first time around, this is absolutely worth picking up. Having an adventure of this quality in your hands anywhere is something special.
