From the initial glimpse in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, Star Wars Outlaws appeared to be an ambitious and somewhat unlikely port.
On one hand, it was exciting to see Ubisoft showcasing its capabilities by bringing the game to Nintendo’s new system. On the other, the thought of the new console struggling with such a high-profile title so soon after its launch was disheartening. Preview footage provided mixed signals, and some early impressions presented a largely negative outlook.
So, I am pleased to say that the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Star Wars Outlaws is superb. It matches, and often exceeds, Cyberpunk 2077 in terms of technical ambition, suggesting a promising future for the hybrid system as it no doubt receives a slew of PS4 and PS5-era ports. I’ll leave the technical details to Digital Foundry, but, with very few exceptions, the game runs smoothly and looks great. And with a first patch recently released, it should only improve further over time. If this level of quality is the standard for future third-party releases, Switch 2 owners will be well served in the coming years.
With those concerns behind us, here’s why Star Wars Outlaws became one of my favourite games of last year and why it’s still just as enjoyable on Nintendo Switch 2.
I first played the game on Xbox after last year’s big stealth-fixing patch and, pardon the pun, I had an absolute blast. It delivered the best Star Wars experience I’d had in a long time and gave Ubisoft’s traditional open-world game format a welcome refresh.
Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Outlaws swaps the usual video game stock-in-trade of Force users and destiny-driven narratives for something messier and more grounded. Protagonist Kay Vess, a quick-witted thief with no grand lineage or mystical powers, is an effective retooling of Han Solo, but with a much more interesting backstory than Solo managed to deliver. Her nervous on-the-edge charm feels authentic, and her motives are as personal and relatable as you can get in the Star Wars universe. Humberly González delivers an excellent performance, making the game feel as much about character as it is about combat.
Star Wars Outlaws also excels in bringing character to its core locations. Developer Ubisoft Massive has crafted a textured, “lived-in” galaxy that feels perfectly aligned with the tone of the original trilogy. It also has echoes the world-building of Andor‘s final season, in which the planet Ghorman was gradually inked in with small, deliberate details, so that when the doo-doo finally hit the fan, the planet’s distinct features and history became integral to the narrative.
Here, in the backstreets of Kijimi, and the dusty outskirts of Toshara, similar power struggles simmer as four competing crime syndicates vie for dominance. Managing Kay’s allegiances with these factions is one of the game’s key concepts. A job completed on behalf of the Hutts, for example, might damage your standing with the Ashiga Clan. Most players will likely find ways to keep everyone reasonably happy, but balancing your reputation between factions adds a satisfying wrinkle to how you approach missions and navigate each planet.
There’s a undercurrent of mistrust and danger that bleeds into gameplay, making certain areas hostile or outright treacherous. These shifting dynamics – along with the need to stay off the Empire’s radar – make this adventure feel more organically dangerous than is typical for an open-world game from Ubisoft.
There’s a lightness of touch on show, though. The game strikes a careful balance of peril, humour, and freedom that, again, captures the spirit of the original trilogy. The stakes feel high, but in the moment, Kay and her ragtag crew – the standout being the wry, enigmatic droid ND-5 – provide levity and, sometimes, outright comedy. One early mission sees Kay extracting the elusive Bosnok from an Imperial base, an accountant so smart he’s basically a brain in a jar. It’s a glorious cocktail of action, environmental puzzle-solving, stealth, and slapstick that showcases Outlaws at its best.
The mission is a prime example of the game’s overall variety. One moment you’ll be looting stash tucked away in a back alley, the next you’re racing speeder bikes across desert plains or dogfighting TIE fighters above Tatooine. Whether it’s a skirmish at an Imperial outpost, infiltrating a massive base, engaging in a space battle, or exploring the decaying wreck of a starship, Star Wars Outlaws never gets stale. Each set-piece feels like its own mini-movie, but together they weave a cohesive, epic tale. It’s a game that scales its action up and down, from the galactic to the domestic, with very little friction.
Anchored by the Reputation system and a varied mix of main quests and side missions, there’s a pleasing rhythm to how this grubby, dangerous corner of the galaxy unfolds. From a functional perspective, the game’s excellent menu system and clear, in-universe maps make keeping track of everything refreshingly straightforward, which is no small feat given the scale of the experience. Optional content never feels like filler, objectives never become overwhelming, and unexpected detours consistently reward curiosity.
A word also for Nix, the furry merqaal who accompanies Vess. Companion characters can often become a burden, but Nix is both useful and genuinely endearing. The stealth gameplay walks a fine line between challenge and accessibility, and Nix plays a vital role in that balance. He can distract Stormtroopers, open doors, pickpocket NPCs, and sabotage equipment. Working together feels like a true partnership, and the occasional moments where Kay and Nix share a meal are among the most unexpectedly touching sequences I’ve seen in a video game.
Use the sync
Thanks to Ubisoft Connect, I was able to transfer my existing save file from Xbox to Nintendo Switch 2, allowing me to continue right where I left off. Playing in handheld mode has been great as I navigate the galaxy, moping up quests that I missed during my first play through and putting the port through its paces. The Nintendo Switch 2’s Gold Edition also includes the Jabba’s Gambit bonus quest, which was previously a pre-order bonus, as well as the Wild Card and A Pirate’s Fortune DLC.
The game is also underscored by a fantastic score from Wilbert Roget II. A strong John Williams influence runs through the composition, naturally, but it’s supplemented by a broad palette of other inspirations that give Star Wars Outlaws its own distinct musical identity.
Star Wars Outlaws is the Star Wars game I had always hoped for. It captures the texture and tone of the classic movies, along with the feeling I had playing with action figures when I was eight years old. But beyond the pleasures of nostalgia, it’s game that succeeds because of strong character, layered design, and a commitment to providing a swashbuckling adventure.
Game: Star Wars Outlaws
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Also Xbox, PlayStation 5 and PC)
Developer: Ubisoft Massive / Ubisoft RedLynx
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: September 4, 2025
