How do I get 60 fps on my Switch?

As Nintendo Switch gamers, we all know the disappointment of fireing up the latest big-budget port only to discover it‘s capped at 30 FPS. And while the Switch certainly does an admirable job of balancing performance, resolution and battery life, enthusiasts like us still crave the silky smoothness of 60 frames per second.

But fear not fellow gamers! While the stock Switch hardware limits our options, this guide will show you how to optimize frame rates and get the most out of each title. Let‘s dive deep on why some games hit 60 FPS while others don‘t, tricks to boost performance, and what the future could hold for buttery smooth Switch gameplay.

What‘s Behind the 30 FPS Standard?

Over 75% of Switch games target 30 FPS, at least in handheld mode. For reference, here‘s how it compares to other platforms:

The Switch lags behind in raw power compared to the latest consoles from Sony and Microsoft. Combined with the heat and battery constraints inherent in its portable design, most developers choose 30 FPS as it allows for decent visuals and consistent frame pacing.

Pushing past that into 60 FPS territory means compromises – whether it‘s resolution, texture quality, effects, level size or number of enemies on screen.

But that doesn‘t mean 60 FPS Switch gaming is mythical…let‘s look at what it takes.

Unlocking the Power: When 60 FPS Shines

As the above table shows, the Switch is more likely hit 60 FPS when docked. By dropping handheld battery limitations and allowing more heat dissipation, the console‘s Nvidia Tegra X1 processor can be pushed further. There is approx 15-25% extra headroom available docked if the game engine and GPU resources are up to snuff.

Additionally, Nintendo‘s own games that are optimized specifically for Switch (like Mario Kart) achieve 60 FPS more often than ports of PS4 and Xbox One titles. However, with enough developer effort even some third party games like Doom run smoothly at 1080p 60 FPS (albeit with visual downgrades).

Here is a sample of popular Switch games known to support 60 FPS:

As you can see, first party games developed specifically for Switch reliably hit 60 FPS targets. But even the more demanding third party titles can get there by custom-tailoring performance settings.

Tweaks, Hacks and Mods for Speed

While most Switch games don‘t have in-game adjustments, that doesn‘t mean we can‘t find creative ways to unlock more FPS headroom ourselves!

If you‘re feeling adventurous, here are some (completely unofficial) methods that technically-minded users have found:

• Game modification (modding) – Mods like FPS++ can remove frame rate caps from games like Zelda Breath of the Wild.
• Overclocking apps – Utilities like ‘OC Squeezer‘ can push the CPU and GPU up higher, though heat & stability risks increase.
• Custom firmware – Mods like LineageOS or Android add more control, reduce overhead and alter power profiles.

These software-level tweaks combined with good hardware cooling solutions have allowed DIY enthusiasts to hit overclocked framerates up near 100 FPS in titles like Mario Kart 8!

Of course overclocking does void the Switch‘s warranty and risks long term reliability or crashes for minimal gains. But for those who like tinkering, it‘s an option!

Will a Switch Pro Boost FPS Further?

Rumors continue to swirl around an potential mid-generation "Switch Pro" upgrade, likely with chipsets based on newer Nvidia Tegra architectures.

Comparisons to the previous Xbox One X and PS4 Pro consoles show hardware refreshes can enable performance modes with significant FPS boosts. If Nintendo follows suit, they would likely focus on allowing either higher docked resolutions or higher frame rates while still working within existing Thermal and power constraints.

Indeed, adding support for up to 1080p 120Hz on at least some titles would give Switch "Pro" owners buttery smooth gameplay exceeding even PS5 and Xbox series X!

Of course Nintendo plays their cards close their chest…we may not know their true plans until such a Switch Pro is officially announced. But as gamers and tech enthusiasts, we‘ll keep pushing the innovative hybrid console platform to its limits…and enjoying each step towards faster frame rates along the way!

So get out there and play, Switch gamers. We‘ll keep hunting down every performance boosting trick in the books! Race you to 60 FPS?