In a surprising blend of Nintendo tech and futuristic dystopia, Cyberpunk 2077 players can now swing katanas using Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.
In a surprise move that bridges next-gen hardware with futuristic gameplay, CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed motion control support for the Switch 2 Joy-Cons in Cyberpunk 2077, allowing players to wield katanas, pistols, and more with intuitive, physical gestures.
The update, revealed in a new developer blog, will be part of the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition patch, which includes full compatibility with Nintendo’s next-gen console and its enhanced Joy-Con controllers. The integration supports motion-based melee combat, firearm aiming, and context-sensitive interactions across the game’s open world.
Slicing and Shooting — Literally
CDPR says players using the Switch 2 Joy-Cons can perform a range of in-game actions with physical movements:
- Slash with Katanas: Swing either Joy-Con to execute light and heavy attacks.
- Block and Parry: Angle the left Joy-Con to trigger defensive maneuvers.
- Aim Firearms: Gyroscopic aiming allows for precision targeting, similar to what’s seen in Splatoon 3 and Breath of the Wild.
- Hack and Interact: Gesture-based inputs can be used for quickhacks, item usage, and door interactions.
“This is the most immersive way to experience Cyberpunk 2077 yet,” said CD Projekt Red Gameplay Director Paweł Sasko. “Switch 2’s advanced motion sensors gave us the opportunity to reimagine combat — especially melee — from the ground up.”
Not Just a Port — A New Combat Layer
Rather than a simple port, CDPR states that the Switch 2 version is optimized with motion-first gameplay in mind. New control schemes have been added to the menu, allowing players to toggle between classic, hybrid, or full motion-control modes.
The team also noted that Cyberpunk 2077 now features adaptive combat animations when playing with Joy-Cons, improving responsiveness and fluidity during physical inputs.
Performance-wise, the Switch 2 version targets 60 FPS at 900p in handheld mode and 1080p docked, with dynamic resolution scaling.
Expansion Support & Phantom Liberty Compatibility
Motion controls extend into the Phantom Liberty expansion, letting players wield new melee weapons and interact with Dogtown’s dense environments in tactile ways. Vehicle steering via motion is currently in testing, with plans to roll out in a follow-up patch.
Additionally, CDPR hinted at experimental VR-lite features in development, though they stopped short of confirming anything for future releases.
A Bold Step Toward Immersive Play
With this move, Cyberpunk 2077 becomes one of the first major open-world RPGs to embrace full motion control on the Switch 2 — and potentially opens the door for more developers to follow suit. While some fans remain skeptical about the practicality of long play sessions using motion input, early hands-on previews from press and influencers have been largely positive.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition with Switch 2 motion control support launches this fall.
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