### Rise of the Tomb Raider on Nintendo Switch 2: A Love Letter to Mediocrity
Let’s be honest. When you hear about a game being ported to a new console, you expect a transformative experience, right? Well, guess what? You’re in for a treat because *Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration* on the Nintendo Switch 2 is here to remind you that sometimes, just *barely getting the job done* is considered an achievement.
#### The “Wow” Factor: Or Lack Thereof
Let’s start with the obvious: this is a game that came out in 2015. That’s right, folks. It’s practically old enough to babysit your kids. Seven years later, it’s been lovingly crammed into the Nintendo Switch 2 – a console that, let’s face it, struggles to handle anything more demanding than *Mario Kart*. Sure, the developers did their best to make it work, but “their best” feels like watching someone duct tape a flat tire and call it a Formula 1 car.
If you’re expecting the Switch 2 version to compete with its PC or PlayStation counterparts, let me stop you right there. The graphics are… fine. By “fine,” I mean they’ll remind you of the good ol’ days when “HD” meant 720p and we were all just happy to not be playing on a CRT TV anymore.
#### Gameplay: Still Fun, But Nothing New
Don’t get me wrong – the core gameplay of *Rise of the Tomb Raider* is still solid. Lara Croft’s adventures through dangerous tombs and snowy landscapes can still be thrilling. But here’s the thing: if you’ve played this game on literally any other platform, you’ve already experienced everything it has to offer. The only new thrill here is seeing how long the Switch 2 can last before its fan starts screaming in agony.
To be fair, the game does come with all the DLC content from the original release, which is a nice touch. But again, this isn’t new content – it’s just old content bundled together and slapped with a “20 Year Celebration” label. It’s like getting socks for your birthday – useful, sure, but not exactly exciting.
#### Technical Performance: A Mixed Bag
Let’s talk performance. On the Nintendo Switch 2, *Rise of the Tomb Raider* runs… okay. It’s not unplayable, but it’s also not going to win any awards. Framerate drops are a thing, especially during action-heavy sequences, and the resolution takes a noticeable hit in handheld mode.
But hey, at least the load times aren’t *too* bad, right? Oh, who am I kidding – they’re mediocre at best. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys staring at loading screens, you’re in for a treat. For everyone else, it’s just another reminder that the Switch 2 is trying its hardest but still falling short.
#### Pros & Cons
**Pros:**
– Includes all DLC content from the original release
– Core gameplay is still enjoyable
– Portable Tomb Raider? Sure, why not?
**Cons:**
– Outdated graphics and performance issues
– Nothing new or groundbreaking
– Framerate drops and resolution compromises
#### Final Thoughts
So, should you buy *Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration* on the Nintendo Switch 2? If you’ve never played the game before and don’t own any other gaming platform, sure. It’s a decent adventure game with a lot to offer. But if you’ve already played it elsewhere, there’s really no reason to double-dip unless you’re desperate to play it on the go.
For those of you who still want to give it a shot, you can check out the full review on Nintendo Life. And if you’re curious about other Nintendo Switch ports that might actually be worth your time, check out our article on the best Switch games of 2023.
### Call to Action
What do you think? Is this port a must-have for your collection, or is it just another example of a developer cashing in on nostalgia? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more sarcastic takes on the tech world.
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**External Links:**
1. *For more on the original game’s release, read this article on Polygon.*
2. *Learn more about the Nintendo Switch 2’s capabilities on TechRadar.*
**Internal Link:**
– *Check out our guide to the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2023.*
