Resident Evil Requiem Port for Switch 2: A Compact Horror

Compact Horror on Nintendo’s New Console

The highly anticipated release of Resident Evil Requiem on the Nintendo Switch 2 is showing promising signs of impressive technical optimization. Reports suggest the game will require an installation size of less than 30 gigabytes (GB) on the new hybrid console. This relatively small footprint is significant, especially considering the title is a major, mainline entry in the franchise developed using the advanced RE Engine.

For comparison, previous Resident Evil titles built on the RE Engine, such as Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil Village, have file sizes that hover around the 30 GB mark on other platforms. Achieving a similar, or smaller, size for Requiem on the Switch 2 suggests Capcom is effectively utilizing the console’s architecture.

Technical Optimization and DLSS

This efficient file size is likely the result of several optimization techniques. The Switch 2 is known to leverage NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology. This powerful upscaling tool allows the game to render at a lower internal resolution, such as an estimated 600p in some reports, while still outputting a sharp and stable image. This technical approach dramatically reduces the demands on the hardware and, crucially, minimizes the size of the high-resolution texture assets needed for the game.

The ability to deliver a technically demanding title like Resident Evil Requiem in a compact package is a major win for both Capcom and the Switch 2. It demonstrates the console’s capability to handle AAA-level projects, alleviating concerns that the game would be a cloud-streaming-only version, as seen with some prior Resident Evil releases on the original Nintendo Switch.

The ‘Game-Key Card’ Concern

Despite the great news on file size, some backlash exists among physical media collectors and consumers across the globe. A significant concern is the potential use of a Game-Key Card format for the physical release in Southeast Asia and other regions. This controversial format includes only a small portion of the game on the cartridge, with the majority of the content requiring a mandatory, large download.

Even with the installation size under 30 GB, which is well within the capacity of the Switch 2’s potential 64 GB physical cartridges, Capcom has been historically keen on using smaller-sized cards for cost-saving reasons. The director of Resident Evil Requiem noted that the use of Game-Key Cards is “more of a sales strategy decision” rather than a development one. This suggests the smaller file size might not guarantee a complete physical release, forcing players to use a substantial amount of their console’s internal storage or SD card space regardless.

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