One of the most interesting things when reviewing Switch ports over the past nine years has always been seeing how many corners had to be cut in order for a game to run on such underpowered hardware. But with the Switch 2, my curiosity has changed to “how similar to a PS4 Pro or a Series S will a game run on this brand new system”. Sadly, ports haven’t been released as often as I’d like, but the combined efforts of Electronic Arts, Codemasters and Feral Interactive have just delivered one of the most impressive early ports available on the Switch 2, and the system’s first “big boy” racing game, GRID Legends.

You can’t just add a Cuba racetrack and not let me race with an old Cadillac coupled with the engine of a Lada, Codemasters!

I find it amusing that GRID Legends is, to this day, considered to be a divisive entry in the franchise’s catalogue. It’s a pretty good racing game set in an odd, but unique manner: it’s actually story-focused, with a career mode featuring a cast of characters and live-action cutscenes. Sure, there are sim elements, such as tinkering with tuning settings, car purchases, and whatnot, but what made GRID Legends stand out a few years ago, besides being yet another racing game from one of the most trustworthy racing devs in the business, was its “less-terrible-than-it-had-any-right-to-be” campaign. Said campaign just didn’t work in the VR port I’ve reviewed a few years back, but that was to be expected. For any other normal ports out there, you can either enjoy a half-decent story mode or partake in arcade-esque extra races.

The game looks stunning in Quality Mode, but I don’t think that a 30fps cap is a fair tradeoff.

This hasn’t changed in the Switch 2 port of GRID Legends. Well, there’s the fact all previously DLC packs, which featured new story sections (complete with live action cutscenes, mind you), cars and tracks, are all featured in this Deluxe Edition. Considering the pricetag (as in, not full-priced at launch), I’d say this offers an amazing amount of bang for your buck. But what really impressed me about this version of GRID Legends is simply the fact it felt the same as any other non-VR version of the game available in the market. Yep, you read that right, a port that felt as good as any other.

This is the kind of stuff I want to see showing up on the Switch 2’s eShop. This is basically a current-gen version of GRID Legends you can take on-the-go. Sure, it did suffer a few graphical setbacks when compared to the PS5 and Series X versions, but it still looks impressive, especially in portable mode. There are two graphical settings: one that prioritizes visual fidelity at 30fps, and a 60fps performance mode. Bear in mind that, even when playing in performance mode, GRID Legends looks great, be it on a TV screen or on portable mode.

Controls are fine, but the lack of analog triggers is still a hindrance for pretty much any serious racing game on the Switch and Switch 2.

There is just one thing that massively hampers this port’s overall quality, and that isn’t even Feral Interactive’s fault, or even something from the game itself. The only reason GRID Legends doesn’t score even higher (spoiler alert, it is getting a good score regardless) is pure due to Nintendo. More specifically, it’s due to Nintendo’s insistence in not adding analog triggers to their controllers, resulting in a racing game which, while pretty easy to pick up and play, and really responsive, never feels fully ideal. There is a slight solution, which is using a Gamecube controller, however. That controller is fully compatible with GRID Legends, and its analog triggers are supported. It is not the ideal solution, I’ll be the first to admit that, but it is a solution.

A staggering amount of content available right from the getgo.

It looks great, it’s got a shocking amount of content for a reasonable price, and it covers all kinds of racing subniches, from simulator-esque segments to arcade modes, and even destruction derbies. GRID Legends is the kind of port I want to see more arriving on the Switch 2 eShop: a great showcase of the system’s graphical capabilities, and how games that had been released a few years ago can be enjoyed in brand new ways, whilst retaining most of what made them good in the first place. As the system’s first “big boy racing game”, it’s one hell of a debut, and it’s an easy recommendation for fans of the genre. Just make sure to grab a Gamecube controller, if possible.

GRID Legends is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC, mobile, Switch 2 and Meta Quest.

Reviewed on Switch 2.