Ubisoft Confirms Wider VRR Support on Switch 2

Ubisoft has officially confirmed broader Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to a major upgrade to its in-house Anvil Engine. This move could significantly improve gameplay smoothness across future Ubisoft titles on Nintendo’s next-generation console.

The announcement highlights Ubisoft’s close collaboration with Nintendo to overcome current VRR limitations, particularly the system’s 40Hz minimum threshold. By implementing VRR directly at the engine level, Ubisoft ensures that smoother performance will be available across multiple games with minimal additional development work.

This innovation has already been applied to Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws, setting the foundation for future releases on the Switch 2.

How Ubisoft Enables VRR Below 40Hz on Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2’s current VRR implementation only works above 40Hz, which poses a challenge for games targeting 30 frames per second. Ubisoft’s solution is both simple and technically elegant.

The 30fps to 60Hz Frame-Doubling Technique

Ubisoft explained that for games running at a 30fps target:

Each frame is duplicated once per cycle
The same frame is displayed twice
This produces a 60Hz signal output
VRR can now engage properly
Visual stutter is significantly reduced

This method allows the display hardware to remain synchronized while maintaining smooth motion, without forcing the game engine to actually render at higher frame rates.

Anvil Engine Integration: Why It Matters

The most important takeaway is that VRR support is no longer game-specific. Ubisoft has confirmed that this solution is now baked directly into the Anvil Engine, eliminating the need for custom VRR work on a per-project basis.

Key Benefits of Engine-Level VRR Support

Faster development cycles
Consistent performance improvements
Easier scalability across platforms
Improved visual stability for Switch 2 ports
Minimal engineering effort for future titles

Because Anvil powers many of Ubisoft’s flagship franchises, this change has wide-reaching implications.

Games Already Using the New VRR Solution

Ubisoft confirmed that the technology is already active in:

Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Star Wars Outlaws

Additionally, upcoming and rumored projects—such as a potential Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced—are expected to benefit automatically from this engine-level enhancement.

What This Means for the Nintendo Switch 2 Ecosystem

For Nintendo, this collaboration strengthens third-party support and helps position the Switch 2 as a more performance-forward console. For Ubisoft, it ensures that its games can scale smoothly across hardware with different refresh-rate capabilities.

Most importantly, for players, it means:

Smoother gameplay
Reduced frame pacing issues
Better visual consistency
Improved experience even at lower frame targets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VRR on Nintendo Switch 2?

VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) allows the display to dynamically match the console’s frame output, reducing screen tearing and stutter.

Why is VRR difficult at 30fps?

Nintendo Switch 2’s VRR currently only activates above 40Hz, which makes standard 30fps output incompatible without additional techniques.

How does Ubisoft solve this issue?

Ubisoft duplicates frames to output a 60Hz signal, allowing VRR to function even when the game is internally running at 30fps.

Which engine is responsible for the upgrade?

The solution is built directly into Ubisoft’s proprietary Anvil Engine.

Which games already support this VRR solution?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws are already using the new VRR implementation.

Will future Ubisoft games support VRR automatically?

Yes. Because the feature is engine-level, future Ubisoft titles on Switch 2 can include VRR with minimal extra effort.

Final Thoughts

Ubisoft’s Anvil Engine upgrade represents a smart and forward-looking solution to a common next-gen challenge. By addressing VRR limitations at the engine level, Ubisoft not only improves performance on Switch 2 but also sets a new standard for scalable console optimization.

As Nintendo Switch 2 approaches launch, this kind of technical collaboration signals a strong future for smoother third-party experiences.

About the Author

Anish is the founder of TechBoltX, sharing mobile gaming rewards, guides, and daily updates.