Ubisoft has long maintained a strong partnership with Nintendo, being one of the early adopters of the original Nintendo Switch. Their collaboration yielded the successful XCOM-inspired crossover, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, in 2017 and its sequel, Sparks of Hope, in 2022. This fruitful relationship has continued with the Nintendo Switch 2, where Ubisoft has ported technologically sophisticated titles like Star Wars: Outlaws and Assassin’s Creed Shadows to the new console.
Advancements in Technology: Ubisoft’s VRR Innovation
Reports suggest that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which launched on Nintendo Switch 2 this month, includes a dedicated Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) algorithm. This technology enables the game to maintain VRR at a locked 30 FPS frame rate, even though the hardware typically supports this feature for 40 FPS and above. Ubisoft explained their approach in a recent interview, revealing that the same frame is presented twice, allowing for a 60Hz interval and smoother visual output.
Potential System-Wide Enhancements
Interestingly, Ubisoft is collaborating with Nintendo to potentially apply this VRR algorithm across the Switch 2 system. Such a development could lead to a universally smoother gaming experience on the console. However, there is currently no specified timeline for this feature to be implemented. Ubisoft has stated that this VRR technique will be a standard feature of the Anvil Engine, which powers many of its future games. The upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, rumored for a January 2026 release, and the anticipated Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced remake, targeting a March 2026 launch, are expected to utilize this technology.
