Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Runs at 30 FPS on Switch — 60 FPS Elsewhere; What US Players Should Expect

🎮⚔️ Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound on Switch – What U.S. Players Need to Know About the 30 FPS Launch 🇺🇸

Will Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound deliver silky action on your Switch? Ahead of its July 31, 2025 launch, Dotemu and The Game Kitchen confirmed some disappointing news for Switch owners: the game will average around 30 frames per second on Nintendo Switch, while all other platforms — PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam Deck — run at a solid 60 FPS. Here’s how it impacts U.S. users, what Reddit fans are saying, and why it still might be worth your time.

🎮 About Ragebound: A Modern Take on the Classic 2D Ninja Gaiden Style

Released July 31, 2025, Ragebound is a side‑scrolling, fast-paced hack‑and‑slash adventure developed by The Game Kitchen (known for Blasphemous II) and published under license by Dotemu .

Play as Kenji Mozu, an aspiring ninja defending Hayabusa Village with katana combos, demon-world platforming (as Kumori), and nostalgic NES-era momentum .

🕹️ 30 FPS on Switch: What It Means

Dotemu officially stated the Switch version “will average a 30 FPS experience at launch”—a limitation likely related to CPU load, animations, particle effects, and engine constraints .

Meanwhile, other platforms offer smooth, locked 60 FPS gameplay, reinforcing that the cap is exclusive to legacy Switch hardware .

Fans on Reddit expressed frustration:

> “Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: The Switch version will average a 30 FPS experience at launch.”

“That average makes me think the game is not a solid 30 FPS… I really don’t think anyone on the original Switch should buy this until third-party performance testing has been done.”

Another user observed:

> “On the other hand, the game runs at 60 FPS on every other platform.”

🧠 Switch 2 Compatibility: A Silver Lining?

While no native Switch 2 version is confirmed, Dotemu has confirmed the game will be playable via backward compatibility and is expected to “benefit from the console’s specs”—but specific performance gains remain vague .

Some Reddit users speculate that a future patch might unlock 60 FPS on Switch 2:

> “Switch 2 might just run above 30 FPS… honestly I’ll be very disappointed if Switch 2 isn’t 60 though (and confused to why Switch 1 isn’t either).”

But there’s no guarantee—developers may release farm updates once they secure Switch 2 dev kits or update engine optimization.

⚡ Why U.S. Players Should Care

For many players, Ninja Gaiden is synonymous with tight action and swift inputs. At 30 FPS, combo timing and split-second evasion may feel less fluid.

Still, the core experience—pixel art animation, atmospheric score, and side-scrolling lore—is intact. You still get the challenge, questing, and style of classic Gaiden.

Portability remains key: you can play anywhere—on the couch, plane, or coffee shop—even with FPS limits.

⚙️ Quick Breakdown (Without a Table)

Launch Date: July 31, 2025 on Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Steam, and Switch 2 BC.

Frame Rate: ~30 FPS on original Switch (as stated by publisher); 60 FPS on all other platforms.

Performance Reason: Likely optimization limits and CPU load on older hardware.

Switch 2 Potential: Possibly smoother performance pending engine patch or update, but not yet present at launch.

✅ Final Take for U.S. Switch Players

If you prioritize portable ninja slashing, Ragebound is still playable and engaging on Switch—in bite‑sized doses or handheld sessions. But for peak performance, combo clarity, and smooth visuals? PC, PS5, Xbox Series, or Steam Deck versions deliver significantly better results.

Hold off if you're waiting for a patched Switch 2 build, or grab it now if handheld nostalgia matters more than frame rate. The game still delivers bold action and atmosphere, even at 30 FPS.