Trails beyond the Horizon on console for PS5, Switch 2, PS4, and Switch compared across visuals & performance

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon launches next week for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch,and Nintendo Switch 2 in addition to PC platforms. Ahead of its release, I had a chance to check out all the console versions to see how Falcom's newest RPG scales across hardware and also for the new Switch 2 and Switch ports that have been added for the Western release. In Japan, Trails beyond the Horizon debuted on PS5 and PS4 with a PC release later on for Asia through Clouded Leopard Entertainment. If you're curious about Trails beyond the Horizon's Western PC release from NIS America and PH3, read this.

NIS America released a demo for Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC recently. There is no Nintendo Switch 2 demo available. Until getting access to the full game, the only information about the Switch 2 version was through previews like with James' article here. Having now spent about a dozen hours with the Switch 2 and PS5 versions, and also a few hours with the Switch 1 and PS4 versions, I'm glad that we finally have a modern Trails release that is very good on a Nintendo platform from day one. 

When I wrote about the console versions of Trails Through Daybreak II, I mentioned how I hoped the localized release and port of Kai no Kiseki would be a better experience on Switch than Daybreak II. I'm glad to report that the Switch port is better than Daybreak II, but every console version is a bit lacking right now with caveats to keep in mind depending on how you want to play Trails beyond the Horizon.

Trails beyond the Horizon Nintendo Switch 2 full game impressions 

Before getting to the comparisons, I wanted to cover a bit about what you can expect with Trails beyond the Horizon on Switch 2. Trails beyond the Horizon is a very impressive handheld experience right now. It looks great when playing on the go and the variable frame rate with 120hz support and VRR feels a lot better than the 30fps default option. Note that you will not get a locked 60fps on Switch 2 outside some locations, but VRR and the 120hz mode handheld help a lot with making Trails beyond the Horizon feel smoother. 

Visually, Trails beyond the Horizon on Switch 2 handheld is a huge upgrade over Trails Through Daybreak 1 and 2 docked on Switch already. The Switch 2 version of Trails beyond the Horizon feels like a hybrid between the PS4 and PS5 versions in clarity and settings, but the real draw of this release is having a great portable experience. There is no major caveat to playing this on the go like with the Switch ports of the Daybreak and Cold Steel games.

As for Trails beyond the Horizon docked on Switch 2, it is good and a lot better than the Switch ports of modern Falcom games, but it isn't as nice as playing the PS5 version. If you plan on playing exclusively on TV or docked, I recommend the PS5 version, but the hybrid nature of Switch 2 allowing for a great portable experience and the ability to get a good docked experience makes me prefer this over all other console versions.

Note: For the comparison image above and all others in this article, I've used a 4K capture card to get Switch 1, Switch 2, PS4 Pro, and PS5 screenshots. The handheld screenshots are taken via the system capture on Switch 1 and Switch 2 with the Steam version via Steam's own screenshot functionality on Steam Deck and ROG Ally. The images have then been cropped for the comparisons.

Trails beyond the Horizon Switch 2 vs Switch 1

It is worth noting that you cannot upgrade from Switch 1 to Switch 2 and there is no save data transfer for Switch 1 to 2 like there is from PS4 to PS5. In fact the PlayStation digital version includes both PS4 and PS5 while the Switch 1 and Switch 2 are completely different releases with the latter even costing $10 more than every other platform digitally and for its Game Key Card physical release. I say this because I know some would want to buy the Switch 1 version to play on Switch 2 via backward compatibility.

While you will get a more stable experience with faster loading, the visuals and resolution are not as good as the Switch 2 version. This is definitely one where the Switch 2 release offers a huge upgrade over the Switch 1 version for a cross generation title. It is unfortunate that there is no upgrade path or save transfer though.

Trails beyond the Horizon — PS5, Switch 2, PS4, and Switch 1 visual differences

Having now played Trails beyond the Horizon on all consoles, there are notable differences beyond just resolution across platforms. Firstly, the PS5 version has a graphics and performance priority option. The graphics or quality setting aims for a crisp image while the performance mode aims for a higher frame rate with a lower resolution. When playing on a 1440p monitor, the performance mode looks subnative, but the quality mode looks crisp. Right now, the Switch 2 version docked feels like it stands in between the PS5 and PS4 Pro versions. It has some visual settings below PS4 Pro like filtering and even some aspects of textures, but it looks a lot more stable thanks to better post-processing than the raw PS4 Pro image. I will say that I had hoped the Switch 2 version docked offered a higher resolution. It looks noticeably softer on my 1440p display in both its 30fps and variable frame rate modes which appear to have same settings.

Beyond textures and filtering, the Switch 2 version has cuts to shadows and draw distance compared to PS5. This is very noticeable in how the overall scene looks where it feels flatter on Switch 2 compared to PS5. I've included a comparison of the PS5, PS4 Pro, Switch 2, and Switch versions all played docked to showcase the visual differences beyond just resolution. The Switch version in particular sees the most cuts with models using lower details and even more settings reduced compared to other consoles.

While I don't mind the cuts to shadows on Switch 2, I was hoping for better texture filtering and ambient occlusion than the current build. Hopefully these can be improved in patches, but given the performance being variable, I don't expect much. 

Trails beyond the Horizon — PS5, Switch 2, PS4, and Switch 1 performance differences and frame rates

Speaking of performance, neither the performance or graphics priority modes on PS5 delivers a locked 60fps right now. If you have VRR on PS5, the performance mode feels lot better based on what I saw with the Japanese release. I don't have VRR on my monitor with PS5 to test right now unfortunately. If you played Trails Through Daybreak II on PS5, this is a similar experience, though I wish the performance priority mode actually delivered a 60fps experience instead of the variable one right now on base PS5.

The PS4 version on PS4 Pro runs at a uncapped frame rate as well, but it feels worse than the PS5's performance mode. When playing the PS4 version on PS5, you get a locked 60fps experience from the areas I tested. This is also the best way to play the game on console if you care about performance more than visual fidelity. 

Trails beyond the Horizon load times compared — PS5, Switch 2, PC, PS4, and Switch

For the load time testing, I installed Trails beyond the Horizon's PS4 version on my PS4 Pro, the PS4 version on the internal SSD on PS5, the PS5 version on the internal storage, the Switch 1 version on my Switch OLED SD card, the Switch 2 version on the Switch 2 internal storage, the Switch 1 version on the Switch 2 internal storage, the Steam release on the Steam Deck OLED internal SSD, the Steam version on the ROG Ally internal storage, and also the Clouded Leopard Entertainment PC version on the same locations for Steam Deck and ROG Ally. The results are below.

Note: All load times above are in seconds.

In general, the load times aren't very long in any version barring the PS4 version on PS4 Pro and the CLE version on Windows. The initial load is the longest on Switch 1, but it isn't too much longer than other systems. Trails beyond the Horizon has some performance and visual issues on consoles, but the load times are at least not bad on anything. 

Which is the best console version of Trails beyond the Horizon?

It depends on whether you want to play in handheld or on TV. If you want to play it on the go, the Switch 2 version is excellent for portable play with great image quality and good performance. This is easily the best port of a modern Trails game on a Nintendo platform ever. The only ones that go above this are PH3's Crossbell Switch ports . Trails beyond the Horizon on Switch 2 is a massive step up over Trails of Cold Steel III/IV and both Daybreak Switch ports. 

The downside right now is image quality when docked and how the graphics look compared to the PS5 release. If you only play on TV or docked, the PS5 version is the best console release when it comes to visual settings and image quality. It unfortunately does not run at a locked 60fps in its performance mode option. If you have VRR on PS5, it will definitely help here. Right now, the only way to get a locked 60fps or close experience on console is to play the PS4 version on PS5 via backward compatibility. I don't own a PS5 Pro so I cannot comment on how it runs there.

I want to make a special note of the Switch 1 version of Trails beyond the Horizon because I think it delivers a better experience than the two Daybreak games on Switch. It isn't a great experience given the drop in visuals and performance compared to PS5 and Switch 2, but Trails beyond the Horizon is Falcom's most demanding game yet, and I was surprised to even see it running on Switch like it does now after playing the Japanese PSN demo a while ago. If you were ok with Trails Through Daybreak II on Switch 1, Trails beyond the Horizon will be fine on Nintendo's older hybrid console.

The last version is the PS4 release. I didn't spend too much time with this, but It runs at an uncapped frame rate on PS4 Pro and wasn't too bad. I would've liked a 30fps cap option though for a more stable experience. This might end up Falcom's last new Trails game on PS4 as well considering Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter skipped PS4. 

Which version of Trails beyond the Horizon should you buy on console?

The first thing to consider is save data bonus. I haven't gotten it in my review builds, but I know there is some save bonus for the Daybreak games. Beyond that, I've listed what I think make each version stand out: 

• Trails beyond the Horizon on PlayStation 5 and 4: This is a single digital purchase so I've listed it together here. Trails beyond the Horizon on PS5 provides the best TV experience right now and you also have the option of playing the PS4 version on PS5 for the best performing console experience. Note that you can bring your PS4 version save into the PS5 version, but not vice versa. Both versions are available physically.
• Trails beyond the Horizon on Nintendo Switch 2: Trails beyond the Horizon on Switch 2 is the best portable console experience and having the ability to play on the go or docked on the TV with a solid experience makes this worth getting if you value that hybrid experience for a very long RPG like this. Note that the physical release for Trails beyond the Horizon on Switch 2 is a Game Key Card and that the physical and digital Switch 2 versions cost $10 more than all other platforms.
• Trails beyond the Horizon on Nintendo Switch: Trails beyond the Horizon on Switch is definitely the worst version right now, but it is still better and more stable than Daybreak II was based on my testing. Hopefully it sees some more patches to improve the technical aspects. This version is available physically if you value that, but there is no save transfer or upgrade option to Switch 2 from Switch 1. 
• Trails beyond the Horizon on PC: As for the PC version, I think it is the best way to play Trails beyond the Horizon. You can read my thoughts on the port, features, handheld impressions, and more here.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon launches on January 15, 2026 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC (Steam).