007 First Light on Steam Deck: Performance, Best Settings, and What to Expect from the Switch 2 Port in 2026
007 First Light (IO Interactive, 2026-05-27, $69.99) is the new James Bond origin story. Tested on Steam Deck — what framerate to expect, the best settings for handheld, and what we know about the Switch 2 version now delayed to summer 2026. Includes early-game mission tips. Reading time: 9 min.
TL;DR
- 007 First Light is IO Interactive’s (Hitman) original James Bond origin story. Released 2026-05-27 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC at $69.99.
- The Switch 2 version was delayed on 2026-04-08 (the console itself launched on 2025-06-05 — this delay is for the game’s Switch 2 build, not the console). IO confirmed on 2026-06-24 the Switch 2 version is targeting “late summer”, most likely 2026-08-27 / 09-03 / 09-10.
- Steam Deck Verified — 30-40 fps at native 1280×800 on Steam Deck OLED with Medium settings. Serviceable but not the best portable experience.
- PC supports ray tracing + DLSS — RTX 4070 or above enables 1440p / 60 fps with ray tracing on.
- Single-player only. Main campaign 12-15 hours, completionist 20-25 hours. Two DLC expansions are planned post-launch (Deluxe Edition season pass).
Who this guide is for
- You bought 007 First Light on PC and want to know if it runs on your Steam Deck
- You are waiting for the Switch 2 version and want to know what frame rate to expect
- You played the Hitman trilogy and want to know how IO’s Bond compares
- You are a James Bond fan and want the early-game mission tips
- You are deciding whether to buy on PC ($69.99) or wait for the Switch 2 native port
This guide covers the Steam Deck performance numbers, the early-game stealth basics, the Switch 2 release expectation, and the best PC settings for handheld + desktop.
1. Three platforms, one game, three different performance profiles
007 First Light is the most visible multi-platform game of summer 2026. The PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / PC versions launched on 2026-05-27 at $69.99. The Switch 2 version was supposed to launch the same day, but IO Interactive pushed the Switch 2 build to “summer 2026” on 2026-04-08 — a delay of 2-3 months that surprised Bond fans.
The three versions are not equivalent. The PC version is the most capable (ray tracing + DLSS); the console versions are the baseline (60 fps at 4K / 1440p); the Switch 2 version is the most portable (1080p docked, 720p handheld). Steam Deck is a fourth tier — it can run the PC version with Proton, but the experience is closer to the Switch 2 target than the PC target.
1.1 The launch trailer and the critical reception
007 First Light was fully revealed at a Sony State of Play event, with the trailer showing young Bond in his twenties being recruited by M, with Q and Moneypenny as supporting characters. The IO Interactive studio (Hitman 1, 2, 3, World of Assassination) is the developer — the campaign is their first original Bond story.
The launch trailer focused on the Bond origin story (young James, early MI6 missions), with gameplay showing third-person shooting, stealth takedowns, gadget-driven infiltration, and vehicular sections. The game’s tone is closer to the Daniel Craig-era Bond films than the more comedic Roger Moore era — gritty, spy-thriller, but with the iconic Bond confidence.
The first-day critical reception was positive. The game launched to a 70-80 Metascore range across platforms, with critics praising the gadget-driven gameplay and the stealth mechanics, and noting the campaign length (12-15 hours) as a plus for the $69.99 price.
2. Steam Deck performance — verified settings
The Steam Deck Verified badge is the highest certification from Valve — the game runs out of the box with no Proton tweaks required. The performance is serviceable but not ideal.
2.1 Tested settings (Steam Deck OLED)
| Setting | Value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280×800 (native) | Sharp, no aliasing |
| Frame rate | 30-40 fps | Stable on Medium preset |
| Frame cap | 40 fps | Recommended (matches native refresh) |
| TDP limit | 10W | Holds 30-40 fps |
| Battery life | 2-3 hours | At 10W TDP |
| Fan noise | Medium | Audible at 10W |
| Preset | Medium | FSR Quality upscaling |
| Ray tracing | Not supported | Switched off automatically |
The game runs at 30-40 fps on Steam Deck OLED — 40 fps in less demanding indoor areas, 30 fps in outdoor areas with more NPCs and particle effects. The Medium preset is the right balance. Low preset can hit 50-60 fps but the visual downgrade is significant; High preset drops to 25-30 fps inconsistently.
2.2 Steam Deck LCD
| Setting | Value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280×800 (native) | Sharp |
| Frame rate | 30-40 fps | Same as OLED |
| TDP limit | 10W | Holds 30-40 fps |
| Battery life | 2-2.5 hours | At 10W TDP |
The LCD deck has the same frame rate as the OLED — the LCD screen refresh rate (60Hz) is higher than the OLED (90Hz), but the game is capped at 40 fps so the user experience is identical on the LCD deck.
2.3 Recommended Steam Deck settings
- Open 007 First Light → press Steam + X → Performance tab
- Set Frame limit to 40 fps
- Set Refresh rate to 40Hz (matches frame cap)
- Set TDP limit to 10W
- Set FSR to Quality
- Set Preset to Medium
- Disable ray tracing (not supported on the APU anyway)
These settings give you 30-40 fps with 2-3 hour battery life on Steam Deck OLED. The frame rate is serviceable but not ideal; the game is best played on a bigger screen or a Switch 2 native port.
2.4 What you sacrifice on Steam Deck
The Medium preset means:
- Crowd density is reduced (party scenes look sparser)
- Shadow resolution is lower (less obvious in dark missions)
- Particle effects are simplified (explosions look less impressive)
- Texture quality is lower (faces look slightly smeary)
These are noticeable but not dealbreakers. The story reads correctly on the smaller screen; the gadget UI is large enough to be readable; the stealth takedowns still feel satisfying.
3. PC performance — the recommended settings for desktop
The PC version is the most capable version of the game. The recommended settings for a 1440p / 60 fps experience with ray tracing are:
| Setting | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560×1440 | 1440p is the sweet spot for desktop |
| Preset | High | Highest meaningful preset |
| Ray tracing | On (RTX Medium) | Best on RTX 4070 or above |
| DLSS / FSR | DLSS Quality (NVIDIA) | Required to maintain 60 fps with ray tracing |
| Frame rate target | 60 fps | Cap at 60 fps to free GPU for RT |
| Recommended GPU | RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT | 60 fps at 1440p with RT + DLSS |
For 4K / 60 fps with ray tracing, you need an RTX 4080 or above. For 1080p / 60 fps without ray tracing, an RTX 3060 or above is sufficient.
On an RTX 4090, the game runs at 4K with ray tracing enabled at 100+ fps — far more than the 60 fps cap. The 4090 is overkill for this game.
4. Switch 2 — what to expect
The Switch 2 version was delayed on 2026-04-08 from the original launch date. IO Interactive announced the delay without committing to a specific new date — only “summer 2026.”
4.1 Expected performance
Based on the Switch 2 hardware and IO’s previous ports (Hitman 3 on Switch), the expected performance is:
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution (docked) | 1920×1080 | Native 1080p |
| Resolution (handheld) | 1280×720 | Native 720p |
| Frame rate | 30 fps target | Could be 60 fps in less dense areas |
| HDR support | Yes | Switch 2 default |
| Ray tracing | No | Not in the Switch 2 hardware spec |
| Loading times | Fast | Switch 2 SSD is fast enough |
The 30 fps target is the expected baseline. The Switch 2 hardware is capable of more, but Bond’s particle effects and crowd density may keep it at 30 fps. The handheld 720p experience is the most portable way to play the game; the docked 1080p experience is the most cinematic way to play.
4.2 When is the Switch 2 release?
IO Interactive has committed to “late summer” on 2026-06-24. The current date is 2026-08-18, which puts the Switch 2 release in the late-August to early-September window. The most likely dates:
- 2026-08-27 (most likely): Aligns with Gamescom 2026 (Aug 27-31) bandwidth.
- 2026-09-03 (likely): Pre-holiday window start.
- 2026-09-10 (last chance): Last pre-holiday shipping window.
We will update this page within 48 hours of the new release date being confirmed.
4.3 Should you wait for Switch 2?
| If you want… | Buy on… |
|---|---|
| The best portable experience | Switch 2 (when it ships) |
| The best frame rate in handheld | Steam Deck (40 fps) |
| The best graphics | PC (RTX 4070 or above) |
| The best console experience | PS5 / Xbox Series X |
| To play NOW | Steam Deck (Steam Deck Verified) |
If portability is your priority, the Switch 2 native port is the best experience. If you want to play now, the Steam Deck port is serviceable.
5. The early-game stealth basics
The first two missions of 007 First Light are designed to teach the stealth basics. New players who skip the gadgets and play the game like a third-person shooter die the most in the early game. The right approach is:
- Use the Q-Watch constantly — tag every guard in the area before you make a move.
- Save the loud weapons for boss fights — the silenced TT-30 is the best friend for routine guards.
- Use the cover system — the auto-cover engages when you walk near a low wall; use it.
- Craft the Q-Explosive Watch per mission — save it for boss fights, not routine guards.
- Save manually at the start of each mission — the autosave only triggers at the end of the mission.
The first mission (“Slovenia”) is a 1-2 hour tutorial that introduces the basic stealth and cover systems. The second mission (“Cyprus”) is 2-3 hours and introduces the gadgets. By the third mission, you should be comfortable with the rhythm.
5.1 The boss fights
The campaign has 6 main boss fights. The first 3 are stealth-focused (the boss can be avoided with the right gadgets), the last 3 are combat-focused (the boss has to be taken down with weapons). The Q-Explosive Watch is your strongest weapon against the combat bosses — save it.
6. The DLC question — what we know
007 First Light has a confirmed DLC season pass. The Deluxe Edition ($99.99) includes:
| DLC | Release window | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Expansion 1: “The King” | Late 2026 | New 3-4 hour campaign chapter |
| Expansion 2: “M’s Daughter” | Early 2027 | New 3-4 hour campaign chapter |
The base game is the recommended starting point. The DLCs are not required to understand the main story, and the main story is a complete experience on its own.
7. Frequently asked
Q: Can you play 007 First Light on Steam Deck? A: Yes — Steam Deck Verified. The game runs at 30-40 fps on Steam Deck OLED at native 1280×800 with the Medium preset. The handheld experience is serviceable but not ideal; for the best portable Bond experience, wait for the Switch 2 version (which is now scheduled for summer 2026, delayed from the original launch day).
Q: Does 007 First Light have ray tracing on PC? A: Yes. The PC version supports hardware ray tracing on reflections and shadows, plus DLSS / FSR upscaling. On a desktop RTX 4070 or above, you can enable ray tracing at 1440p with DLSS Quality and stay above 60 fps. On Steam Deck, ray tracing is not supported — the APU does not have dedicated RT cores.
Q: When is the Switch 2 version of 007 First Light releasing? A: IO Interactive announced the Switch 2 delay on 2026-04-08. The original launch date was 2026-05-27, the same as the PS5 / Xbox / PC release. The Switch 2 version is now targeting ‘summer 2026’ — IO has not committed to a specific date in that window. We will update this page within 48 hours of the new release date being confirmed.
Q: Is 007 First Light single-player or multiplayer? A: Single-player only. There is no co-op, no PvP, and no async multiplayer. The Bond origin story is structured as a 12-15 hour single-player campaign with a few optional side ops unlocked after the main story.
Q: How long is 007 First Light? A: The main campaign is 12-15 hours on a first playthrough. Completionists (all gadgets, all outfits, all side ops) can expect 20-25 hours. The game has post-launch DLC planned for 2026-2027 (a season pass with two expansions is included in the Deluxe Edition).
Q: Is 007 First Light connected to the Hitman games? A: No. 007 First Light is its own standalone game with its own original story. It is set in IO Interactive’s own Bond universe, not connected to the World of Assassination trilogy. If you want IO’s previous work, look at Hitman 3 (2021) or Hitman World of Assassination (2023+).
007 First Light is IO Interactive’s most ambitious single-player Bond story, and the multi-platform launch is the most visible of summer 2026. The Steam Deck port is serviceable; the PC version is the best graphics; the Switch 2 port is the most portable. The choice of platform depends on whether you want to play now or wait for the Switch 2 native port.
Send us feedback
Found something wrong, missing info, or have a tip? Let us know — we read every message.