Pearl Abyss Weighs a Switch 2 Port for Crimson Desert

Open-world action games are increasingly judged by how well they scale across hardware, and that pressure is now reaching Crimson Desert. Pearl Abyss says the studio is actively reviewing whether Nintendo Switch 2 can run the game—while stressing that any port would take time.

Background: Support and ongoing development for Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert remains a live, actively supported title as Pearl Abyss continues to roll out patches aimed at improving gameplay. Patch 1.13.00 introduced new boss equipment for Kliff and Oongka, and it also enabled Oongka and Damiane to enter the Abyss. The update also addressed issues related to the game’s combat system.

Beyond immediate fixes and additions, Pearl Abyss indicated that more planned features are still in development. Among the items referenced were cross-save functionality and additional battle content. The company also left the door open to considering other platforms in the future, setting the stage for the Switch 2 discussion.

Switch 2 port: Under consideration, but no timetable

At a July shareholder Q&A, Pearl Abyss CEO Huh Jin-young said the company views it as important for Crimson Desert to reach as many platforms as possible. According to the CEO, the development team is reviewing how Nintendo Switch 2 can handle the game.

Huh also confirmed that development work has progressed to a point where basic gameplay is possible on Switch 2, but he emphasized that significant work remains. The rumors reportedly began shortly after Crimson Desert’s March release, and the CEO framed the challenge as technical: because the game is an open-world action title with strong visuals, it requires optimization and verification to meet Pearl Abyss standards.

While Huh stated there is currently no schedule for when the game could arrive on Switch 2, he said the studio would announce more once information is more certain. He previously indicated that Pearl Abyss would look into developing Crimson Desert on Nintendo’s platform, but he also noted the reality of porting—differences in power between existing console versions and Switch 2 could force graphical compromises to achieve acceptable performance.

The CEO’s comments also acknowledged that momentum around Switch 2 adoption will be a factor in how quickly Pearl Abyss makes the move.

DLSS compatibility and what it could mean for performance

The Switch 2’s relationship with Nvidia DLSS upscaling is another element of the port conversation. The source notes that Switch 2 is compatible with Nvidia DLSS, but that DLSS requires a compatible RTX-branded GPU or an Nvidia system-on-a-chip (SoC) like the one used in Switch 2.

The story further points out that other open-world releases on Switch 2—specifically Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth—use DLSS to help stabilize frame rates. Whether Crimson Desert will use the same approach remains unconfirmed, but the mention suggests Pearl Abyss is likely weighing options to balance visuals and performance.

Key points

• Pearl Abyss is reviewing a potential Nintendo Switch 2 port for Crimson Desert, with basic gameplay reportedly achievable in development.
• There’s no confirmed release timetable, and Pearl Abyss says it will announce details once they’re more certain.
• Patch 1.13.00 added new boss equipment, expanded Abyss access, and addressed combat-related issues.
• DLSS may be relevant for performance on Switch 2, but Crimson Desert’s use of it is not confirmed.

What’s confirmed vs. what’s still undecided

Expert View

For the market, Pearl Abyss’ comments signal a clear intent to expand Crimson Desert’s footprint, but with a realistic emphasis on engineering and verification. The fact that basic Switch 2 gameplay exists in development suggests the project is more than speculation—yet the lack of a timetable reflects the likely need for optimization, verification, and potential visual trade-offs. For the community, this means continued focus on current-gen improvements (like Patch 1.13.00) is likely to remain the near-term priority, while Switch 2 players should expect updates only after Pearl Abyss can confidently meet its own quality bar.