The End of Stutter: Ubisoft and Nintendo Partner to Revolutionize VRR on All Switch 2 Games

Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, a technical limitation has irked enthusiasts: the console’s variable refresh rate (VRR) only worked natively above 40Hz. This left the vast majority of AAA titles—which target 30 FPS—without the smoothness and stability that VRR provides. Now, thanks to some brilliant engineering by Ubisoft, this is about to change for the entire ecosystem.

After successfully implementing a custom algorithm in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft confirmed it is collaborating directly with Nintendo to apply this technology at a system level. If successful, this update could transform the performance of every game in the console’s library.

The 30 FPS “Magic”: How the Algorithm Works

The problem was physical: the Switch 2’s screen wouldn’t activate VRR if the frame count dropped below 40. Ubisoft’s solution, now standard in the Anvil engine, is a clever frame-doubling trick, similar to the LFC (Low Framerate Compensation) seen on high-end PCs.

In a recent interview, Ubisoft explained: “Since the game targets 30fps and the console’s VRR currently only works at 40Hz, we use a workaround. The same frame is effectively presented twice, tricking the hardware into outputting at a 60Hz interval.”

This means that even if a game is running a “heavy” 30 frames, the screen receives enough signal to keep VRR active, eliminating tearing and stuttering, creating a sensation of fluidity far superior to the numerical reality.

A Historic Partnership Bearing Fruit

The symbiotic relationship between Ubisoft and Nintendo, which began with support for the original Switch and the Mario + Rabbids crossover, is now evolving to the level of hardware architecture.

By integrating this solution into the Switch 2 operating system, Nintendo could save smaller developers from having to create their own LFC solutions. Future titles, such as the rumored Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced (expected in early 2026), will already launch with this advantage. However, the prospect of patching this technology system-wide for third-party games is the true game-changer for the handheld experience.

Source: Ubisoft Interview with FRVR