Stellar Blade on Switch 2: Release Date, Price, Gameplay and Performance

Stellar Blade Complete Edition is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Shift Up released it worldwide at the same time, at 00:00 KST on November 6, which was 15:00 GMT on November 5. It costs $59.99 / £54.99 / €59.99 and comes with a free Bayonetta costume collaboration. Reviews say the combat is as good as ever, but handheld performance is the main trade-off.

Release date and time in India

That’s a simple conversion from the 15:00 GMT launch time. Digital copies unlock at that moment on the Switch eShop, and Indian eShop pricing may differ from the US price, so check the store before you buy.

What’s in the Complete Edition?

The physical Switch 2 version puts the full game data on the cartridge, so you can play with the cartridge alone, without a game key card or extra download. That makes it an easy buy for collectors. Pre-orders also offered a Limited Edition SteelBook.

Four new Eve outfits from the Bayonetta collaboration are free on Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and PC from launch day. If you already own the game elsewhere, those outfits cost you nothing.

What is Stellar Blade about?

It’s a story-driven sci-fi action adventure. Its premise is saving humanity from extinction and reclaiming Earth. You play as Eve, and the game first launched on PS5 and PC before the Switch 2 port.

Gameplay: how does it play?

Combat is the core of the game. One reviewer calls it a Soulslike-inspired combat system that feels rewarding to master. You dodge, parry and counter, and timing matters. Nintendo Life notes it relies heavily on carefully timed parries, so a silky smooth frame rate is needed for the timing to line up. That’s why Switch 2 performance matters more here than in many games.

The port also supports Joy-Con 2 motion controls for some activities outside combat.

Performance on Switch 2

Shift Up confirmed an upscaled 1080p image when docked and an unscaled 720p image in handheld mode. Both modes target 60 FPS, with a trick behind it.

The game uses a 30 FPS baseline, and frame generation turns on by default to present 60 FPS. It uses NVIDIA DLSS for upscaling and AMD FSR 3.1 frame generation to get there. In plain terms, the screen looks smoother, but the game itself still updates at 30 FPS, which can add some input lag.

That was a sore point in the demo. Players reported lag in handheld mode, and Shift Up responded by letting players turn frame generation off at launch. If the controls feel floaty to you, try that toggle.

What do reviews say?

• Positive: One review says the game targets 60 FPS in both modes and maintains a solid frame rate with DLSS and frame interpolation. Another found handheld mode ran at about 45 to 60 FPS at 720p, depending on settings and location.
• Mixed: The same reviewer calls the port competent but short of the original’s heights. Another says the main drawbacks are visual quality and handheld performance, especially without frame generation.

The general verdict is that this is a good port of a very good action game, with docked play looking best.

Is it worth buying?

Buy it if you want a premium action game on your Switch 2, you like timing-based combat, and you’d rather play docked or accept some handheld softness. Wait if you already own it on PS5 or PC with better graphics, or you’re sensitive to input lag. The free Bayonetta outfits don’t need a purchase, so they aren’t a reason to rebuy.

Age warning: The game is rated ESRB M and PEGI 18. It’s for adults, and parents should check the rating before buying for younger players.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Stellar Blade release on Switch 2?

How much does Stellar Blade cost on Switch 2?

Does Stellar Blade run at 60 FPS on Switch 2?

Is there a physical edition?

Is the Bayonetta DLC free?