Which is the best version of Ys X: Proud Nordics? PS5, Switch 2, PC and the original game tested and compared

Ys X: Proud Nordics from Falcom and NIS America launched just under two weeks ago for PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC platforms in the West following its debut last year on Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan. The enhanced and expanded version of Ys X: Nordics arrives not too long after the base game was released in the West. At launch last month, the PS5 version of Proud Nordics had its 120fps mode bugged, and I was waiting for it to get fixed before doing my platform comparison. 

Instead of just covering Ys X: Proud Nordics, I'm also covering Ys X: Nordics here to go over how the new versions improve over the original, whether a new purchase is worth it for you, which version is best for you, and more. This comparison will focus on Proud Nordics though since the base game is not worth buying anymore. 

Ys X release timeline

Before getting to the versions and other differences, I'm going to cover the release timeline for Ys X across platforms and regions.

• September 2023: Ys X launches in Japan for PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. This is the series' first Nintendo and PlayStation simultaneous launch in Japan for a new game. It also was released through Clouded Leopard Entertainment in Asia the same month.
• March 2024: Ys X launches for PC through Clouded Leopard Entertainment with Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean subtitle support.
• October 2024: Ys X launches in the West for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms featuring a new PC port. This PC release is also the only version that featured Japanese subtitles.
• July 2025: Ys X Proud Nordics launches in Japan for Nintendo Switch 2 as an enhanced and expanded version of Ys X Nordics.
• August 2025: Ys X Proud Nordics launches for Nintendo Switch 2 and PC in Asia through Clouded Leopard Entertainment.
• February 2026: Ys X Proud Nordics launches in the West for PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The PS5 version also launches in Asia and Japan with the Western release.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is the version newcomers should buy

If you haven't played Ys X before, Ys X: Proud Nordics is the version to play. It includes a majority of the original game DLC and features worthwhile new content and enhancements that bring out the best of Ys X as we covered here. While I am covering the base Ys X release here, it is mainly to show how different Proud Nordics is visually on select platforms. I want to stress that newcomers should not buy Ys X: Nordics with Proud Nordics now available.

Ys X: Nordics and Proud Nordics feature differences across platforms and versions

Usually, I compare a single version of a game across platforms to cover feature differences, but Ys X is a bit different. While the original Ys X: Nordics and Proud Nordics are different releases, the Japanese and English version of Proud Nordics on Switch 2 feature some differences. I've listed the platform differences for Ys X: Nordics and Proud Nordics below.

• Ys X: Nordics on Switch, PS4, PS5: This is the original release of Ys X: Nordics. 
• Ys X: Nordics on Steam: The Steam release of Ys X: Nordics from PH3 and NIS America features a plethora of visual and performance improvements over the console versions including a suite  PC-exclusive features like co-op support, HDR, and more as covered here.
• Ys X: Proud Nordics on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2: Ys X: Proud Nordics on PS5 and Switch 2 feature a majority of the original game's paid DLC in the base release, new content, visual improvements to lighting, a 120fps performance mode, and more.
• Ys X: Proud Nordics on Steam: Ys X: Proud Nordics on PC from PH3 and NIS America features even more improvements compared to the original PC release offering new upscaling options including DLSS 4.5 and everything the original included barring co-op support. 

Ys X: Proud Nordics visuals and performance differences across PS5, Switch 2, PC, and compared with the original game

Before getting to performance, which is the biggest difference depending on the platform, I was able to get some 4K screenshots from a friend who owns Ys X: Proud Nordics and a PS5 Pro. The difference between Ys X: Proud Nordics on base PS5 and PS5 Pro is in image quality and level of detail. Elements like chains in the distance as an example are partially rendered on PS5, but fully visible on PS5 Pro. I am working on getting PS5 Pro capture ready for comparisons in the future. Since Durante and PH3 specifically worked on PSSR for PS5 Pro, I wanted to include some information about the upgrade here. The comparison image below uses 4K capture via the console for PS5 Pro, 4K capture taken from my capture card for the Japanese and Western Switch 2 release, and the PS5 release of Proud Nordics.

When playing docked or on TV, the PC version on a gaming PC can scale above the console versions by quite a bit in visuals and performance, but it doesn't appear to match the PS5 version's loading. It does however include many PC-exclusive features like HDR, frame rates above 120fps, much better draw distance, improved shadows, and much more. On the console side, the PS5 Pro followed by the PS5 are the best versions so far, but the Western Switch 2 release is excellent thanks to the DLSS implementation. If you play on a 1440p monitor, the Switch 2 version is an easy recommendation for TV play, but performance holds up better on the PS5 version with better image quality that is more noticeable when playing at 4K. 

As for portable play, the Switch 2 version delivers a better experience than the ROG Ally and Steam Deck since neither can match its visuals at 120fps, but you do miss out on the PC-specific features and can scale above Switch 2's graphics settings on PC handhelds. Having now played every version of Ys X across Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Switch 1, and Switch 2 covering both the Japanese and English releases, the Western Switch 2 version of Ys X: Proud Nordics is my preferred way to play Ys X on the go with its image quality improvements. For the comparison below, I captured Ys X: Proud Nordics and Ys X: Nordics using Steam's screenshot functionality on Steam Deck and ROG Ally alongside the system capture functionality on Switch and Switch 2 since there is no other way to get handheld capture right now.

When it comes to performance, Ys X: Nordics had a 30fps cap on Switch, 30fps or uncapped options on PS4 Pro, 60fps cap on PS5, and a 360fps cap on PC. Ys X: Proud Nordics on the other hand ships with 60fps and 120fps modes on both PS5 and Switch 2 with a 360fps cap on PC. It is a very well optimized game on all 3 platforms, but the major upgrade here is for Switch base game owners who play Ys X: Proud Nordics on Switch 2. I always thought Ys X: Nordics on PS5 was too conservative when it came to performance, but the removal of loading screens was great. That carries over into Ys X: Proud Nordics on PS5 as well. It is unfortunate that the Switch 2 version of Ys X: Proud Nordics still features loading screens. 

Taking visuals and performance into account, I would still play Ys X: Proud Nordics on Switch 2 above the Steam Deck and ROG Ally right now. The loss of PC-specific quality of life features will be notable for anyone who has played PH3 Falcom ports on PC, but in this case the Switch 2 delivers a much better experience than the Steam Deck and I'd even take it over the ROG Ally. 

Ys X: Proud Nordics load times across Switch 2, PS5, PC, and the original

For testing Ys X: Proud Nordics load times, I installed it to the internal storage on Switch 2, the console storage on PS5, the internal SSD on Steam Deck and ROG Ally. I also included and tested Ys X: Nordics installed to the same locations, but for the PS4 version, I installed it onto the external hard drive on PS4 Pro and PS5. The Switch 1 version of the base game was installed to the internal storage on Switch 2 and the SD card on Switch OLED. I mashed confirm to skip as much as possible and the load times below are all in seconds. The results below are based on the latest Western release versions tested on March 6, 2026 for all platforms. OG indicates the original Ys X: Nordics release.

The load times in general are very good for all versions barring the PS4 and Switch 1 versions played on those platforms. I want to stress that the PS5 version is the only one that completely eliminates loading screens while playing. Other platforms might have a short loading screen, but the PS5 version has none of them with just a fade in and out while in-game. The PC version does offer an asset caching option in PH3's release, but the PS5 version in my testing is the fastest across the board. The Switch 2 version not having the same load times as PS5 is a bit disappointing when in-game, but it is still a lot faster than most games and dramatically improves over the Switch version played on a Switch 1. 

Which version of Ys X: Proud Nordics is the best?

For Ys X: Nordics, the best version was the PC release across the board for handheld and TV play. With Ys X: Proud Nordics, the best version will vary based on what you value the most. For image quality and visuals in general, the PC version scales well above the console versions thanks to its draw distance, shadow, and general post-processing options. For load times, the PS5 version is still the best. For portable play, while the PC version on PC handhelds does give you PC-exclusive features like HDR and other quality of life features that PH3 ports include, the Western Switch 2 version is a better overall experience all things considered.

Which version of Ys X: Proud Nordics should you buy today?

Everyone has their own priorities for what they want, so I'm going to list the advantages and disadvantages of every single version of Ys X: Proud Nordics as a conclusion to this feature below:

• Ys X: Proud Nordics on Switch 2: If you value the hybrid nature of the Switch 2 and want the best portable experience that also scales well docked on a 1440p display, the Western Switch 2 version is the way to go. 
• Ys X: Proud Nordics on Steam: If you play on Steam Deck or PC in general, this is the only version you should consider. It plays fantastic on Steam Deck out of the box, and while it isn't as good of an experience as the Switch 2 version overall, the PC-exclusive features make it shine with the desktop experience scaling well above the console versions.
• Ys X: Proud Nordics on PS5: If you want to mainly play on your TV or at 4K, care about trophy support, and don't care about portable play (unless you stream to a PlayStation Portal or phone), this is the version to get. It is also the fastest version when it comes to load times and has very good PS5 Pro support with image quality boosts over the PS5 version. 
• Ys X: Nordics original game on PS5, PS4, Switch, or PC: If you only have a PS4 or Switch 1 and no other way to play Ys X, it is fine to play it there, but you aren't getting the best experience. If you already own Ys X: Nordics on PC, I recommend getting the Ys X: Proud Nordics Special Upgrade Pack discount and playing Ys X: Proud Nordics instead of wasting your time with the original. The new content doesn't justify a full purchase if you recently played Ys X: Nordics, but I recommend Ys X: Proud Nordics for all newcomers to Ys X.

Hopefully this comparison covering Ys X: Nordics and Ys X: Proud Nordics helped you find the best version you should play or buy right now. If you haven't already done so, you can read Adam's thoughts on Proud Nordics here, my PC port feature here, and my long interview with PH3's Durante about the console and PC versions of Proud Nordics and Trails beyond the Horizon here. Details for all the DLC and save carryover can be found in my dedicated features here and here.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is available for PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam, GOG, Epic). Ys X: Nordics is available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, GOG, Epic).