While a lot of fans have been mixed on Capcom’s remake of Resident Evil 3 since its initial release in 2020, there’s no denying that it’s an incredibly tense survival horror experience that’s filled to the brim with high-octane action. And now, you can experience Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira’s terrifying journey on the go, thanks to a new Nintendo Switch 2 port.
Platform reviewed:Nintendo Switch 2
Available on:PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch (cloud only), Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, iOS
Release date:October 16, 2026 (Switch 2 edition)
I’ve spent more than 10 hours playing Resident Evil 3on Nintendo Switch 2, experiencing the main story in full. So, is it a port that’s worth your time and money? Here’s my take.
For the most part, I want to focus on the quality of this port on Nintendo’s latest hybrid system, but before we delve into that, I’d like to share a few thoughts on the remake of Resident Evil 3in itself.
Nemesis is coming for you…
I played through the Resident Evil 2remake right before this entry, and while there are a lot of similarities in terms of the combat, resource management, environments, and visuals, they have a few striking differences.
Above all, Resident Evil 3feels far more focused on the action — it feels like you’re constantly on the run, blasting through zombies, and rushing to save the people of Raccoon City. In some ways, this works to the game’s advantage: the horrifying Nemesis is a truly daunting foe, the high-paced gameplay is engaging from start to finish, and the explosive set pieces make this entry feel truly cinematic.
However, the fast pace and distinct action focus come with its drawbacks. The game’s runtime is very short — you’ll easily finish this one in about six hours. On top of that, the overall narrative feels a bit thin, and there are very few puzzles. Ultimately, Resident Evil 3is still a blast, and its likeable cast and engrossing gameplay make it worth playing alone — it just doesn’t quite have the depth of some of the best entries in the series.
OK, I thought Mr. X was frightening inResident Evil 2, but Nemesis is on a whole other level. He’s far more deadly and imposing, and when he whipped out a flamethrower on the rooftop, I was bricking it. All of the battles against him feel so incredibly tense yet enjoyable, and ended up being my favorite parts of this adventure.
Anyway, let’s talk about how this title plays on Switch 2 specifically. And good news — the Resident Evil 3remake runs very well on this system. The Switch 2 edition targets 60 frames per second (fps), and I enjoyed smooth frame rates in both docked and handheld mode with barely any noticeable drops. Yes, the movement of some distant enemies could appear a little shaky — something I also saw in the Resident Evil 2remake on Switch 2 — but even the most action-packed segments of the game were silky smooth.
While you could probably get a more premium visual presentation from a gaming PC or PS5 Pro, the game’s graphics also translate well onto Nintendo Switch 2 after calibrating HDR. The dark, moody environments look sharp and intricate in docked mode, with character models looking pleasantly detailed. Contrast is solid too, with colors popping against the dismal city streets, though it’s worth noting that in handheld mode there’s a noticeable (yet understandable) hit to graphical fidelity — though the game still looks very decent overall.
The game also controls nicely, and you can switch between a few different schemes in the options menu, although it would’ve been neat to see gyro aiming, which worked well on the Switch 2 edition of Resident Evil Requiem. There’s also no mouse mode integration, and more generally, it would’ve been nice to see this version play to the Switch 2’s strengths a bit more. One thing that I did like, though, was the Switch 2’s virtual spatial sound, which provides an expansive, almost three-dimensional soundscape when you’re battling through hordes of zombies.
In the end, then, it’s easy for me to recommend the Resident Evil 3remake on Switch 2. While the graphics won’t wow you in handheld mode and the core game isn’t without its flaws, it consistently runs at a stable frame rate, visuals are strong in docked mode (and still more than adequate in handheld), and the action-packed gameplay is sure to keep you absorbed in the game from start to finish.
Should you play Resident Evil 3 for Nintendo Switch 2?
Play it if…
You want to experienceResident Evil 3on the go with little compromise
I was very pleased with this Switch 2 port’s performance. It looks very solid overall, especially in docked mode, and you’ll get smooth frame rates for satisfying and seamless gameplay, both at home and on the go.
You’re looking for a brief survival horror game to blast through
The remake of Resident Evil 3has a very brief runtime. I finished it up in about six hours, and while I feel that it could’ve offered more, some may appreciate its brevity. Sometimes, it’s fun to just fly through a brief, action-packed experience, and Resident Evil 3offers exactly that.
Don’t play it if…
You want the best performance possible
For those of you looking for peak performance, then the PS5 Pro or PC might be the better destination for playing this title. That being said, the visuals and performance of the Switch 2 version are commendable, and the benefit of getting to play the game on the move is massive.
You’ve never played a Resident Evil game before
Resident Evil 3isn’t the best starting point for series newcomers. The events that play out are deeply connected to those of Resident Evil 2, which I’d suggest as an entry point for anyone looking to get into the franchise.
Accessibility features
The options menu allows you to make a few changes to your experience, with a range of camera options, three separate control schemes, toggle or hold run modes, and a range of voice and text languages available. What’s more, you can change the color of the reticle, laser dot sight, and dot display, alter HUD opacity, and tone down damage display if you’d prefer.
How I reviewed Resident Evil 3 for Nintendo Switch 2
I sunk just over 10 hours into the Resident Evil 3remake on Nintendo Switch 2, during which time I finished the main story and tried playing in both docked and handheld mode.
Most of the time, I played the game docked, with my Switch 2 connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. I did try out handheld mode from time to time, though, and used my JBL Live Beam 4 earbuds to experience the game’s virtual spatial sound.
More generally, I’m an experienced gaming hardware and software reviewer, and have been testing all kinds of games and accessories at TechRadar for years now, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed all sorts of Nintendo Switch 2 titles, from major first-party releases like Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weaveto ports like Yakuza Kiwami. I’ve also played a number of Resident Evil games, including the Switch 2 port of the Resident Evil 2remake.
