For a long time, the GRID series has felt like an odd duck in the gaming space. When the first game was released in 2008, there was unquestionable grit to it, with gameplay straddling the line between hardcore dedicated racing simulation and arcade racer. This vibe continued as the series aged, with follow-ups expanding the range of events and disciplines available to players, shifting the racing model further towards that of a full simulation, and deepening the career element through the nemesis system.
From 2022 Release to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026
When the original version of GRID Legends launched in 2022, it was a solid, if somewhat overlooked entry in the long-running racing franchise, taking all of the positive steps of previous entries and adding fully-acted cutscenes to enrich the story mode. Fast forward to 2026, and Feral Interactive has brought the Deluxe Edition to Nintendo’s latest hardware. It isn’t just a simple port; it’s a definitive statement on what the Nintendo Switch 2 can achieve when a developer understands the balance between raw power and portable optimization.
Visual Performance and Graphical Fidelity on Switch 2
Feral Interactive has earned a reputation for “impossible ports,” but with the extra overhead of the Switch 2 they’ve moved from merely making games run to making them shine. The graphical fidelity here is startling and multiples times made me double take. On the handheld’s upgraded 1080p display in graphics mode, the car models feature a level of detail that rivals the base PS5 experience, if not the framerate.
Lighting is the real star; as you race through the neon-soaked streets of Yokohama or a thunderstorm in London, the screen-space reflections on the asphalt and the way light interacts with the volumetric spray from tires are legitimately gorgeous and demonstrate the power under the Switch 2’s hood. Obviously it wouldn’t stand up to a side-by-side comparison with versions on more powerful hardware, but in motion GRID sings and you’d be hard pressed to notice where the compromises are.
Performance Modes Explained: 60 FPS, 1440p and More
What sets this port apart is the granularity of choice. Borrowing a page from PC gaming, Feral has included a suite of graphical options that let you dictate your experience. Performance Mode offers a rock-solid 60 FPS that feels transformative. In a high-speed racer, the halved input latency makes threading the needle between rivals feel intuitive rather than lucky.
Graphics Mode on the other hand targets a higher resolution (hitting 1440p when docked) and reintroduces high-end effects like enhanced ambient occlusion and more complex particle systems. While it caps at 30 FPS, the motion blur implementation is so good that it remains perfectly playable for those who want a “postcard” experience.
Balanced splits the difference with a 40 FPS target (taking advantage of the Switch 2’s VRR capabilities), while Battery Saver dials back the resolution to ensure you can finish a long-haul flight without your console dying mid-lap. The inclusion of so many options is a testament to the quality of the port, allowing players to choose which areas they are willing to compromise on in order to get what they want out of it.
Driven to Glory Story Mode and Live-Action Cutscenes
The centrepiece of GRID Legends Deluxe Edition is the “Driven to Glory” story mode. Using a “virtual production” style similar to The Mandalorian, the live-action cutscenes are seamlessly blended with in-game assets. The acting performances are surprisingly high-caliber for the genre. Ncuti Gatwa in particular, in all his pre-Doctor Who glory, brings a vibrant energy to the role of Valentin Manzi, making him one of the few racing game characters you’ll actually remember after the credits roll; though in 2026 it’s pretty surreal to be racing alongside someone whose usual ride is a police box.
The performances elevate the material, making the rivalry between Seneca Racing and the villainous Ravenwest feel personal. When you see your team principal, Marcus Ado, stressing in the garage after a crash, the emotional stakes feel genuine.
However, no matter how much charisma the actors bring they are constantly hamstrung by the writing. The dialogue frequently veers into cringey territory, leaning on tired sports movie tropes and awkward technical jargon that feels like it was written by someone who has only ever seen racing through a TikTok filter. Rivalries are established with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and some of the “documentary” interviews feel overly staged and earnest to a fault.
Career Mode Progression and Grind Issues
Once you move past the 8-hour story mode and into the broader career, the repetitive nature of the GRID Legends becomes its biggest hurdle. The structure is incredibly rigid, requiring you to earn enough “mileage” on a specific car before you can upgrade it. This quickly becomes the game’s most frustrating mechanic and stifles any sense of choice or progression.
GRID Legends forces a restrictive car selection that kills the sense of freedom. If you find a classic touring car you love, you can’t just take it through the ranks; you are funneled into using specific vehicles for specific events just to grind the necessary distance to unlock the next tier. It feels like artificial padding in a game that already has plenty of content.
The “Sponsor Objectives” also add to this clutter, requiring you to perform specific tasks—like drafting for 500 meters or performing three clean overtakes—to unlock cars that you’ve already technically “earned.” It turns a high-speed thrill ride into a checklist-heavy chore.
Handling, Nemesis System and Moment-to-Moment Gameplay
Despite these structural flaws, the actual moment-to-moment gameplay is a delight. The Switch 2 handles the Nemesis System—where AI drivers become more aggressive if you trade paint with them—with ease. Even with 20 cars on screen during a chaotic “Elimination” race, the frame rate doesn’t buckle.
The “Simcade” physics strike a perfect balance; it’s accessible enough for a quick handheld session but has enough depth to reward those using the new Switch 2 Pro Controller’s analog triggers.
Final Verdict: A Technical Showcase with Rough Edges
All in all GRID Legends: Deluxe Edition is a technical marvel that highlights the leap in power between Nintendo’s generations. It is, without question, the best-looking and best-performing racer on the system, even if it lacks the charm of many recent arcade racers. Feral Interactive has proven yet again that they are the kings of the optimized port.
If you can stomach the cheesy writing and don’t mind a career mode that feels like a second job at times, the sheer variety of disciplines—from stadium trucks and electric hypercars to classic open-wheelers—makes this an easy recommendation. It’s a bumpy road in terms of progression, but the view from the driver’s seat is spectacular.
GRID Legends Deluxe Edition Switch Trailer
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The game was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
