During the recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo left fans buzzing with excitement. However, they were rather tight-lipped about one key aspect: the chip that’s powering this much-anticipated console. Fortunately, Nvidia, the company behind the custom system on a chip, stepped forward to shed a bit of light on the matter through a detailed blog post.
Tetsuya Sasaki, Nintendo Switch 2’s technical director, shared at a developer roundtable, “We aren’t focusing too heavily on the hardware specs. Our main goal is to highlight the incredible value that we offer to our consumers.” This approach mirrors Nintendo’s usual style of focusing more on user experience than raw specifications.
In sync with Nintendo, Nvidia has yet to disclose specifics like core counts and CPU speeds. Nonetheless, they assert that the new chip will deliver an impressive tenfold increase in graphics performance compared to the original Nintendo Switch.
The advancements don’t stop there. Nvidia’s RT cores bring hardware ray tracing, enhancing lighting and reflections while tensor cores handle DLSS upscaling. This technology is likely what makes the console capable of reaching up to 4K resolution when docked and up to a stunning 120 frames per second in handheld mode.
Nvidia also noted the use of tensor cores for AI-powered features such as face tracking and background removal. These were prominently highlighted in the new social GameChat feature and during hands-on sessions with Switch 2 games, like Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. Whether the technology behind this mirrors that of Nvidia Broadcast on PC remains unclear.
Moreover, the Switch 2 boasts a new variable refresh rate (VRR) display, made possible by G-Sync technology in handheld mode. This should significantly reduce any chances of screen tearing, delivering smoother gameplay.
Reflecting on what has been achieved with the original Nintendo Switch, which utilized a custom version of the Tegra X1 from Nvidia, it’s fascinating. Despite the X1 being somewhat dated even upon its release, it’s still running games eight years later, showcasing Nintendo’s knack for maximizing hardware longevity.
Come June 5, when the Nintendo Switch 2 hits the shelves at $449.99, it’ll be interesting to watch how developers harness the potential of this formidable new chip. Enthusiasts and developers alike are eagerly waiting to see just how far Nintendo can push the envelope this time around.
