Nintendo finally pulled the curtain on many details about theSwitch 2during its Direct event on April 2, including its release date of June 5 and its $450 price tag. While the console is clearly muchmore powerful than its predecessor, not much was revealed about the specifics of its internal hardware. So far, we know it can play games at 1080p in handheld mode and, depending on the title, up to 4K 60 FPS in docked mode.
Nintendo has released thetech specsfor the Switch 2, but the description of its CPU and GPU simply states, “Custom processor made by NVIDIA.” This doesn’t provide much insight into the system’s capabilities but indicates that, like the Switch 1, Nintendo has opted for Nvidia hardware once again.This is in contrast to other gaming handhelds like theSteam Deck or the ROG Ally, which utilize an AMD processor.
The Switch 2’s commitment to Nvidia is significant because it has the potential to support many of the technologies Nvidia has developed for PC gamers in recent years…
The Switch 2’s commitment to Nvidia is significant because it has the potential to support many of the technologies Nvidia has developed for PC gamers in recent years, especially its AI upscaling feature,DLSS(Deep Learning Super Sampling). During a recent press event, Takuhiro Dohta, a senior director at Nintendo, revealed that the Switch will utilize this game-changing technology (viaIGN).
“We use DLSS upscaling technology and that’s something we need to use as we develop games,” Takuhiro said. “And when it comes to the hardware, it is able to output to a TV at a max of 4K. Whether the software developer is going to use that as a native resolution or get it to upscale is something that the software developer can choose. I think it opens up a lot of options for the software developer to choose from.”
$450 Nintendo Switch 2 drops June 5, Preorders available April 9
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, with preorders for the highly anticipated console beginning on April 9.
What is DLSS?
Nvidia has revealed more details about the Switch’s hardware
If you’re unfamiliar with DLSS, it’s an AI technology developed by Nvidia that enhances a game’s resolution and performance.
DLSS renders a game at a lower resolution, and then uses AI to upscale it to a higher resolution, such as 4K. The result is a sharper image and a game that runs more smoothly, as it doesn’t need to render natively at a higher resolution. As a PC gamer with an Nvidia RTX GPU, I utilize DLSS in nearly every game it supports, and it makes a significant difference in both performance and visuals.
On Switch 2, game developers will get to determine how to utilize DLSS to achieve the best possible performance and image quality for their game.
An example of a game that benefits from DLSS isIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, where the technology noticeably enhances the performance of the game, while still maintaining a sharp and clear image. On PC, users typically have the option to choose between different DLSS settings, such as Performance, Balanced, and Quality, allowing players to customize their experience and optimize both performance and visuals to their liking. On Switch 2, game developers will get to determine how to utilize DLSS to achieve the best possible performance and image quality for their game.
Nvidia confirmedthat the Switch 2 will support DLSS and ray tracing because the console’s processor has RT Cores and Tensor Cores. RT Cores enable real-time ray tracing on the console, resulting in more realistic lighting and shadows in supported games. The Tensor Cores help power AI features like DLSS, effectively “boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality,” as Nvidia states.
How Nintendo’s new Switch 2 compares to the Switch
After years of waiting, Nintendo’s Switch 2 has finally arrived - here’s how it compares to the original Switch.
What does this mean in the long run for the Switch 2?
A more level playing field with the competition and a more future-proof console
Nvidia states that the Switch 2 has “10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch” and will provide “smoother gameplay and sharper visuals.” I can easily believe this claim solely because of DLSS.
Nintendo says the Switch 2 can have a 4K output at 60 FPS and supports 120 FPS at 1080p or 1440p, depending on the game. This represents a considerable improvement for players compared to the Switch 1, which ran games at 30 FPS at 720p and 1080p. It’s a safe bet that DLSS is a big reason behind the Switch 2’s enhanced graphic fidelity (alongside its upgraded Nvidia processor).
While the Switch 2 may not match the power of the Xbox Series X or the PS5, DLSS will help level the playing field for the compact handheld console.
Even before the console is released, it’s evident that games on the Switch 2 look vastly superior.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis a prime example, as Nintendo states it runs at an “enhanced resolution and frame rate” and supports HDR. While the Switch 2 may not match the power of the Xbox Series X or the PS5, DLSS will help level the playing field for the compact handheld console. PlayStation and Xbox utilize an AMD chipset for graphics processing, allowing those consoles to benefit from AMD’s version of DLSS, known as FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution).
The Switch 2 finally catching up to PlayStation and Xbox is a welcome development, especially since the Switch 1 significantly lags behind these consoles. Although the visuals may not be on par, it’s hard not to be thrilled that the Switch 2 represents a substantial advancement in graphics fidelity.
DLSS will provide developers with another tool to assist in porting their games to the Switch 2 and help improve game performance while still maintaining high image quality. It’s a win-win for both players and developers, and if the Switch 2 has a life-cycle as long as the Switch 1’s eight-year run, it will help better future-proof the console.
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