[Minecraft Switch version] Summary of causes of heavy/stutter and setting improvements [Integrated version] – Game Strategy Summary

This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:

Original: 【マイクラSwitch版】重い・カクつく原因と設定改善まとめ【統合版】

“Minecraft integrated version” is a popular title that allows cross-play on Nintendo Switch, smartphones, PCs, and home game consoles.
However, when playing the Switch version, you may feel dissatisfied with things such as “slow operation” and “lag and stutter.”

In this article,

Why does the Switch version of Minecraft feel heavy
Performance factors specific to the integrated version
Specific methods to counter weight and lag

I will explain

in an easy-to-understand manner.

Author: “The Switch version of Minecraft is attractive for its ease of use, but on the other hand, limitations in hardware performance and the specifications of the integrated version can make it heavy. Let’s understand the cause and review the settings to improve comfort.”

1. What are the performance issues of the integrated version of Minecraft (Bedrock)?

1-1 Switch’s hardware performance is the limiting factor

Nintendo Switch itself is highly portable, but its CPU and GPU performance is lower than other game consoles. Therefore, if there is a high drawing load, a wide range of world drawings, or a large number of mobs and structures, the processing may not be able to keep up and it may feel heavy.
In fact, there have been reports in the community that “When you increase the chunk reading/drawing distance on Switch, it stutters.” This is believed to be due tohardware limitations and lack of optimization.

Author: “While the Switch version of the integrated Minecraft can be played anywhere, it has a structure that makes it easy to experience frame drops and loading delays during heavy scenes.”

1-2 Relationship between integrated version specifications and lag

The integrated version is a specification that allows many platforms to share the same world. It is said that this cross-platform support increases the optimization load on certain models, and especially on low-spec machines such as Switch, CPU and memory allocation may become inefficient.

Also, the network processing and simultaneous processing of multiple entities (mobs and buildings) unique to the integrated version also affect drawing and frame stability.

1-3 World state and number of entities also affect

Worlds with large numbers of mobs, complex redstone circuits, and large buildings require the game engine to do many things at the same time, resulting in lag and stuttering. This is true for the PC version as well, but it’s especially noticeable on the Switch version.

Author: “Large-scale worlds and heavy equipment tend to put pressure on the performance of the Switch version, so it’s important to be aware of load countermeasures when designing.”

2. Common causes of lag and weight (details)

2-1 High drawing distance/field of view setting

If you set the draw distance too high, it will be necessary to read distant chunks (parts of the world), which will increase the load.
This is said in the Minecraft integrated version in general, and there are multiple reports of “stuttering at high draw distance settings” in the Switch version as well.

2-2 Effect/visual settings

Particle effects, high-quality graphic settings, and smoothing (smooth effects) are elements that increase the processing load.
Switching these to lighter settings such as “Fast” or “Off” may improve performance.

2-3 Network and multiplayer load

During online multiplayer, lag may occur due to network communication and world data synchronization processing. In particular, some say that the Switch version’s communication specifications are difficult to optimize, and it is thought that the stability of the internet connection also affects the weight.

Author: “Lag in multiplayer is not necessarily a Switch-specific problem, but the cross-platform nature of the integrated version may be increasing the processing load.”

3. Weight reduction settings that can be done in the Switch version (practical version)

In the Switch version of integrated Minecraft, there are several ways to reduce weight by changing settings.
The following points are methods that many users find effective.

3-1 Lower drawing distance

By setting the draw distance low, you can reduce the number of chunks read at the same time and lighten the processing load.
For the integrated version, if you aim for about 6 to 8 chunks, the weight will often improve.

3-2 Lighten graphics settings

Reviewing the following settings may help:

Graphic: Changed to Fast
Smooth lighting OFF
Minimize/OFF particle effects
V-Sync OFF (if possible)

These reduce the display load and contribute to frame stability.

3-3 Terminating unnecessary apps and optimizing the main unit

Closing other apps on the Switch itself to secure resources for Minecraft also contributes to weight reduction. Additionally, restarting the device may clear the cache and improve performance.

3-4 Network review

If you are experiencing lag on Wi-Fi, try the following:

Optimize router location
Switch to 5GHz band connection
Wired connection (use LAN adapter if possible)

This can reduce stutter caused by communication load.

4. Additional measures if it is still difficult

4-1 World organization

The larger the amount of information in the world, the greater the processing load.
Unnecessary items, entities (a large number of animals/mobs), and complex mechanisms can cause a load, so consider organizing and deleting them.

4-2 Back up and try in new world

In old worlds, the accumulation of chunks and data enlargement can lead to weight.
One way is to check the operation in a new world and see if the weight has improved.

5. Background specific to the integrated version of the Switch version

5-1 Integrated version and bug/lag indications

The integrated version is intended to support cross-play and optimize for various platforms, but some say that it makes some bugs and lags more likely to occur. We continue to receive feedback from the community regarding behaviors and bugs that occur only on specific models.

Author: “The integrated version is very convenient, but due to the complexity of the optimization, the weight inherent in each model has not been completely resolved.I hope it will be improved in future updates.”

Summary | Countermeasures for the weight of the integrated version of Minecraft on Switch

The main causes of the weight and stutter of the Switch version are

Hardware performance constraints
Processing load due to integrated version specifications
Load due to high drawing/entity concentration
Network problems during communication/multiplayer

It was

The main improvement measures are:

Lower draw distance
Lighten graphics settings
Optimize the main unit/network environment
Organize load elements in the world

etc. are valid.

Author: “By reviewing the settings and environment while maintaining the convenience of the Switch version, you will be able to play “more comfortably than you expected.” Please try out the tips to bring out the comfort.