VRR: Does Nintendo Switch 2 support VRR in Docked Mode?

With the Nintendo Switch 2 tech details made officially public, fans eagerly look forward to new features like a 120 Hz display, HDR, and perhaps the biggest addition: VRR. Standing for "Variable Refresh Rate," this is a display technology that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of the display to match the in-game FPS, as the name suggests. Sadly, Nintendo has confirmed VRR for only handheld play and not docked.

In other words, while handheld play offers a smooth gameplay experience even when the performance of a game falls below the expected threshold, players who prefer to enjoy their games docked will not get this benefit. Read on to know more.

Why is there no VRR support for Nintendo Switch 2 docked mode?

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Last month, keen-eyed netizens noticed that the mention of VRR Docked instances from the official hardware sheet was removed, leading fans to wonder what this could mean. Recently, Nintendolife reached out to the company to ask about he same, and here is the official reply:

"Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode only. The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologise for the error."

To clarify further, when asked about whether VRR support for docked mode will arrive in the future, Nintendo replied as follows:

"We have nothing to announce on this topic."

While disappointing, this is sort of expected since the upcoming hybrid console features HDMI 2.0 output, while HDMI 2.1 is needed for VRR on an external display. It remains to be seen if a hardware solution will be released in the future via a console refresh or a software patch to introduce VRR in a limited fashion. For now, fans have no choice but to wait and see.

When does the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?

As a successor to the original Nintendo Switch, the console is slated for launch on June 5, 2025, worldwide. Boasting significantly more powerful tech than the previous console, fans will be able to enjoy games in resolutions beyond 1080p up to 4K as well as 120 FPS - though both 4K AND 120 FPS is not simultaneously supported.

The platform is also launching with a slew of heavy hitters at launch. First-party names range from enhanced versions of older games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the follow-up Tears of the Kingdom, and brand-new entries like Mario Kart World, to major third-party games such as:

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Split Fiction
Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition
Hogwarts Legacy
Yakuza 0 Director's Cut
Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition

Also Read: Red Dead Redemption 2 rumored for Nintendo Switch 2 alongside next-gen patch

About the author

Siddharth is an esports and gaming writer at Sportkseeda. With nearly 10 years of experience in the industry, he also contributed to renowned publications like Gameffine (formerly IndianNoob), the British retro FPS magazine E1M1, and Gaming Purists, the latter being a passion project which he founded with friends.

Holding a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Siddharth's journalistic pursuits extend beyond reporting; he throws himself into the heart of gaming communities. His positive exploits in the industry have led him to interviewing Rohit Jain, a prominent Tekken 7 player from India.

Though he currently specializes in Nintendo, Overwatch 2, and RPG coverage, Siddharth's expertise spans a multitude of platforms and genres. He believes in doing extensive research across a mix of official, community-driven and diverse media sources for all of his article categories.

Siddharth has been an avid follower of Pewdiepie, which has also helped him expand his horizons to new gaming genres and titles. Beyond gaming, he indulges his love for literature with a particular fondness for horror and thriller novels. Moreover, Siddharth’s culinary enthusiasm for global cuisine enriches his palate.

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Edited by Siddharth Patil