Nintendo Switch 2: NVIDIA's AI-Powered Leap in Gaming Performance

Nvidia confirms Nintendo Switch 2 SoC's AI, ray tracing features, keeps real specs to itself for now

Nvidia promises 10x graphics performance over the original Switch While Nintendo made a splash at yesterday's formal unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, the company's hardware developers stayed quiet on the chip powering it. Now, Nvidia, which makes the custom system on a chip, has provided some more information in a blog post. "Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec," Switch 2 technical director Tetsuya Sasaki said at a developer roundtable. "What we really like to focus on is the value we can provide to our consumers." Nvidia is following Nintendo's lead, withholding information like core counts and speeds. Still, the company claims the new chip offers "10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch." Nvidia's RT cores allow for hardware ray tracing, lighting, and reflections, while tensor cores power DLSS upscaling. DLSS is likely being used to achieve up to 4K performance when the system is docked, and to help hit up to 120 frames per second in handheld mode. The company also confirmed that the tensor cores allow for face tracking and background removal with AI, which was shown off with the new social GameChat feature as well as in Switch 2 games we went hands-on with, such as Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. It isn't clear if this uses any of the same technology as Nvidia Broadcast on PC. Additionally, Nvidia confirmed that the Switch 2's new variable refresh rate (VRR) display is powered G-Sync in handheld mode, which should prevent screen tearing. Nvidia also powered the original Nintendo Switch, which used a custom variant of the Tegra X1. Nintendo managed to get a lot of mileage out of that chip, which was old when it launched; games are still coming out eight years later. We'll see how much developers can squeeze from the new chip when the Switch 2 launches on June 5 for $449.99.

NVIDIA confirms the Switch 2 has DLSS

The company says Nintendo's console has ten times the graphical performance of the original Switch. This week's Nintendo Direct provided much more info about the Switch 2 but didn't go too deep into the nitty-gritty details of what powers the console. That left NVIDIA, the Mario maker's hardware partner on the console's processor and GPU, to fill in some blanks with a blog post published on Thursday -- including the first confirmation that it uses Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) tech. NVIDIA said the Switch 2's DLSS support helps to give the console "ten times" the graphical performance of the original Switch. The tech lets games render games in a lower resolution, then uses trained AI models and dedicated Tensor Cores to fill in detail. Saying a system has ten times the graphics performance is likely a simplified marketing claim, and its graphical prowess could vary greatly depending on the title. The console has also yet to be scrutinized with extended real-world use. However, in Engadget's Sam Rutherford hands-on, he found that the system handled the new Switch 2 versions of Street Fighter 6, Cyberpunk 2077 and Civilization 7 well, with all running "really smooth." In docked mode, the Switch 2 supports up to 60fps at 4K resolution or 120fps at 1440p or 1080p resolutions. In handheld mode, the 7.9-inch, 1080p screen supports a variable refresh rate (via G-Sync) of up to 120Hz. "The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds," NVIDIA explained. "Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality. Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming."

Nintendo Switch 2 Leveled Up With NVIDIA AI-Powered DLSS and 4K Gaming

The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled April 2, takes performance to the next level, powered by a custom NVIDIA processor featuring an NVIDIA GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements. With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element -- from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs and world-class development tools -- the Nintendo Switch 2 brings major upgrades. The new console enables up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. Nintendo Switch 2 also supports HDR, and AI upscaling to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay. AI and Ray Tracing for Next-Level Visuals The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds. Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality. Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming. With millions of players worldwide, the Nintendo Switch has become a gaming powerhouse and home to Nintendo's storied franchises. Its hybrid design redefined console gaming, bridging TV and handheld play. More Power, Smoother Gameplay With 10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers smoother gameplay and sharper visuals. Tools for Developers, Upgrades for Players Developers get improved game engines, better physics and optimized APIs for faster, more efficient game creation. Powered by NVIDIA, Nintendo Switch 2 delivers for both players and developers.

How powerful is the Nintendo Switch 2 versus Switch? NVIDIA has the answer.

NVIDIA revealed a few more details about the Switch 2's processor on its blog, confirming that it has ten times the graphical performance of the original Switch. For what it's worth, the Tegra X1 chip used in the first Switch wasn't quite cutting-edge upon that console's release in 2017. Nevertheless, it still looks like a major horsepower boost, and NVIDIA is also bringing a few extra features to the table. The company confirmed that the Switch 2 processor offers hardware-based ray tracing via its RT Cores. The new processor also offers Tensor Cores, enabling support for Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). This uses AI to upscale the resolution of games, enabling sharper visuals without the performance demands of natively rendering at that resolution. This should come in handy when running games at 4K via the dock. NVIDIA adds that the Tensor Cores also power background removal and face tracking when using the console's video chat features.

Switch 2: Nvidia custom chip brings 10x more performance, DLSS and ray tracing

Nvidia announced new details about the Nintendo Switch 2's hardware, including a custom GPU that can do real-time ray tracing and AI upscaling. The Nintendo Switch 2 was presented for an hour on April 2nd, and during that presentation, we saw a lot about upcoming games, new features, the Joy-Cons, and more. As typical for Nintendo, though, very little was said about the inner workings of the console itself. Nvidia is now making up for this with an explanation via blog post that sheds more light on the Switch 2's hardware. Specifically, it runs a customized Nvidia GPU that should give the handheld console a good 10x more performance than its predecessor. Nvidia's custom chip in the Switch 2 has special RT (ray tracing) cores and Tensor cores, which not only enable improved graphics but also ray tracing functionality and AI upscaling. This is a big step forward for the portable console, which was previously criticized for its low performance compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. In Nintendo's presentation, we learned that the Switch 2 can upscale games up to 4K in docked mode; in handheld mode, it runs at up to 120 FPS at 1080p. And the console also supports HDR for the first time. Our colleagues at Tech Advisor were able to see this for themselves in their initial hands-on impressions. AI upscaling via DLSS is also here. This improves the graphics even further, as artificial intelligence can be used to upscale the image quality without compromising performance or graphical quality. The new RT cores in the Switch 2 will finally bring real-time ray tracing to Nintendo's consoles. Nvidia doesn't provide any specific details here, but states that we'll get "lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows." This sounds like an exciting overall package, but probably won't be as extensive as the PS5 Pro (which, to be fair, costs almost twice as much). The Switch 2 also relies on a variable refresh rate via Nvidia G-Sync. This should ensure smooth gameplay at all times in handheld mode and help to reduce input delays. It's unclear how it will look in docked mode. Overall, Nintendo has managed to install decent hardware in the small device, which means that gamers can finally enjoy modern graphics with modern tech. However, there does seem to be one disadvantage: according to the official technical data, the Switch 2 will have a shorter battery life than its predecessor models. For comparison, the Switch 2 has a 5,220mAh battery and is only expected to run for an average of 2 to 6.5 hours depending on the game. With the Switch OLED, the battery lasted around 4.5 to 9 hours. The newer edition of the regular Switch also lasts this long, while the original Switch model ran about 2.5 to 6.5 hours (on a 4,310mAh battery). The shorter battery life seems to be the price for better hardware. However, it's quite possible that the Switch 2 will also receive more battery life with an updated version later on, or even an OLED version. But first the Switch 2 has to release, and it's coming on June 5th, 2025.

The Nintendo Switch 2 could have one advantage over handheld gaming PCs - and it's probably not what you think

The Switch 2 could see itself compete with other handhelds thanks to DLSS The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally fully revealed on April 2, with confirmation that the handheld console will use a custom Nvidia processor - and while the device may not outperform handheld gaming PCs, it could have a significant bonus over them. As highlighted in a blog post, Nvidia confirmed that its DLSS AI-powered upscaling method will be present on the Nintendo Switch 2, along with ray tracing, thanks to its custom chip. This will allow game developers to implement DLSS in games where necessary, creating room for better performance through upscaling while maintaining image quality. It's not exactly clear what version of DLSS this will be: its latest version, DLSS 4, utilizes a new transformer model to further improve image quality, especially with performance mode - which has been shown to outdo the previous model's quality mode in DLSS 3. However, handheld gaming PCs have only been able to use either AMD's FSR or Intel's XeSS, as Nvidia hasn't made an APU (a processor with CPU and GPU on the same die) for any of the devices like the Asus ROG Ally or MSI Claw 8 AI+. Both of these rival upscaling methods have yet to match DLSS, and if DLSS 4 is being used by the Switch 2, it could challenge more powerful handheld gaming PCs when it comes to graphics and performance. Don't get me wrong, handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw 8 AI+, and the Lenovo Legion Go are all still an easy choice over the Switch 2 as they more than likely still have more powerful hardware (as we don't know the exact specs of Nvidia's chip just yet). However, if Nintendo's new console uses DLSS 4, it could be a literal game changer placing the Switch 2 in pole position to compete against other handhelds, thanks to the new transformer model. It takes the upscaled image quality up another level, as I've highlighted previously and has already been a massive benefit to all GeForce RTX GPU users: image quality on the CNN model's performance mode was blurry and contained ghosting when in motion, and the transformer model fixes this. Despite the slight performance loss in games with this new model (due to its more intensive processing nature for greater image quality), it's not significant enough to not recommend DLSS 4 - and it's better than Intel's XeSS 2 and AMD's FSR 4, as it maintains much better detail on objects, particularly at longer draw distances in games. I've begged Nvidia to make an APU for handheld gaming PCs to use DLSS, and this gives me hope that the Switch 2 will make it possible. We'll have to wait and see how DLSS will work (especially in docked mode at a 4K resolution), but if the Switch 2 ushers in a new generation of PC gaming handhelds with Nvidia hardware, then I'll be extremely happy.

Nvidia: Switch 2 has ray tracing, DLSS, and is 10x more powerful than original

We knew that the Switch 2 would have to be an upgrade in the power department, but how much of an upgrade would it actually be? We now have a decent idea of what the Switch 2 is bringing to the table, but the details are still coming out in drips, and one of those drips comes courtesy of Nvidia. On Thursday, Nvidia announced that the Switch 2 is using a custom processor that could take Nintendo to the next level in terms of graphics, which brings two major and modern features to one of the gaming world's least powerful consoles. One of the biggest announcements from Nivida is that the Switch 2, thanks to a custom processor, will now support a couple of next-gen capabilities. One of those features is Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), which uses AI to boost frame generation. This should -- if other DLSS implementations are anything to go off of -- upgrade the overall image quality of Switch 2 games without having to shoehorn in a beefier GPU or clunkier, expensive hardware. With a new custom Nvidia processor, the Switch 2 will be able to support 4K gaming in docked mode and up to 120fps at 1080p in handheld mode, according to Nvidia. All in all, Nivida says the Switch 2 has 10 times the graphics performance over the original, which is to be expected since the Switch came out in 2017, but is still a welcome leap generation-to-generation. Secondly, Nvidia says the new processor, thanks to new Tensor cores specifically, will also support (drum roll) ray tracing. Yes, that's right, Mario can be ray traced. On one hand, yay! Better graphics is, well, better. But on the other hand, I'm not convinced that the leap will be as big as Nintendo hopes it will. I don't think anyone will be mad about increased graphical performance. The Switch, being nearly ten years old at this point, is outdated and was never really known for its power in the first place. And here's the thing: that has never, ever mattered to anyone who loves Nintendo's iconic console. People play the Switch for Nintendo's classic first-party games, because it's affordable and because it offers a versatile, unique form factor that's inimitable when it comes to the traditional console market. In a way, Nintendo succeeded not just despite its lack of graphical performance but because of it. While Microsoft and Sony were busy chasing ray tracing, Nintendo focused on creative, functional hardware and the core games that make the brand beloved. And sure, Nintendo can still do both, but it risks falling into the trap of chasing performance, which hasn't exactly worked out for its competitors. Ray tracing, for context, was a major selling point when Microsoft launched its Xbox Series X, but a lack of developer support and potentially fan interest has made the feature sort of a non-factor. Up until recently, the Series S -- Xbox's cheaper, non-performance oriented console -- made up a whopping 75 percent of the company's current-generation sales. That's all to say that price-to-performance is still more important than outright performance for the vast majority of people, and I doubt that Nintendo is immune to that trend. Maybe ray tracing will be a bigger deal to the Switch 2 than I'm giving it credit for, but I have a feeling Nintendo ought to stick to its guns and focus on making Mario fun, not photorealistic.

The Switch 2 supports ray-tracing and DLSS, but Nintendo is tight-lipped on details

After yesterday's Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo held several roundtable Q&A sessions in New York City and answered fans' burning questions about the console. In these sessions, Nintendo revealed that the Switch 2 does in fact utilize Deep Learning Super Sampling, or DLSS, as well as ray tracing visual technology -- but the company remains mum on how exactly it all works. Leaks earlier in the year suggested that Nintendo might use some form of AI upscaling tech (and that's exactly what DLSS is) with the intent of keeping game sizes small enough to fit on the cartridge without sacrificing 4K resolution. DLSS is an Nvidia technology, and Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2 does use an Nvidia GPU. As for details, Tetsuya Sasaki, GM of Nintendo's Technology Development Division, said "Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec. What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information." The DLSS implementation is particularly interesting and opens up a lot of potential for developers. Just like with the Xbox Series and the PlayStation 5, it's possible games could offer both graphics and performance modes. According to Takuhiro Dohta, senior director of the Programming Management Group Entertainment Planning & Development Department, as transcribed by IGN: Recommended Videos "We use DLSS upscaling technology and that's something that we need to use as we develop games. "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." When asked about the Switch 2's ray capabilities, Dohta said, "Yes the GPU does support ray tracing. As with DLSS, I believe this provides yet another option for the software developer to use and a tool for them." Nintendo provided a lot of information but left out the finer details. It's likely that we'll have to wait until we get our hands on a Switch 2 console to confirm the exact internal components, but the mere fact it's capable of higher-end graphical technology like ray tracing and DLSS is a great sign. It suggests the Switch 2 is more powerful than initially let on, and that Nintendo might finally be closing the graphical gap between itself and its competitors.

Switch 2 has "10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch", claims Nvidia

We've learned an awful lot about Switch 2 over the last 24 hours or so, but not so much - as is Nintendo's usual way - when it comes to the technology driving the thing. Now, though, Nvidia, which designed the console's GPU, has talked a little about Switch 2's innards, claiming it has "10x the graphics performance" of the original Switch. Nvidia discussed Switch 2 - and confirmed various bits of information which have circulated following Nintendo's recent hands-on event for press - in a post on its website, referring to the console's processor as a "custom" design featuring "dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores", alongside AI-driven enhancements. Those Tensor Cores, it claims, "boost AI-powered graphics while keeping power consumption efficient", while the RT Cores "enhance in-game realism with dynamic lighting and natural reflections". Nvidia also reiterated HDR and AI upscaling - via DLSS - are supported on Switch 2, and that the console's GPU is capable of 4K visuals (at an unspecified maximum frames per second) while docked, and up to 120fps at 1080p in handheld mode. Variable refresh rate via G-Sync is also supported while in handheld mode for "ultra-smooth, tear-free" gameplay. "With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element - from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs and world-class development tools," it continued, "Switch 2 brings major upgrades." Some of the Nvidia's chatter was either confirmed or hinted at during yesterday's Switch 2 Direct, of course - with the likes of 4K and 120fps both referenced during Nintendo's announcement it's set to release enhanced upgrades for various original Switch titles. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, for instance, supports 4K and 60fps with HDR in Quality Mode, and 1080p/120fps with HDR in Performance mode. As for Nvidia's claim Switch 2 has "10x the graphics performance" of the original Switch, it certainly sounds impressive, but Digital Foundry was perhaps more cautious in its evaluation of Switch 2's potential real-world performance when sharing its initial analysis of the console. "As an opener for the deluge of games to come, Switch 2 lands where I would expect it to based on what we've seen so far," Richard Leadbeatter wrote. "Personally, I went into the presentation expecting a machine with overall performance in line with Steam Deck, but early indications do suggest something more potent - at least in docked configuration." It'll be a while yet before Digital Foundry gives Switch 2 the full hands-on treatment, but until then there's plenty more to read about and plenty more to see, particularly as Nintendo delves deeper into some of the console's launch window titles over the few days. Switch 2, of course, arrives on 5th June, and some stores have already begun taking pre-orders in the UK.

Nvidia says its Nintendo Switch 2 chip benefited from '1,000 engineer-years of effort' claiming a 10x performance bump with DLSS and dedicated ray tracing silicon

But is that upscaling compared to native rendering like the whole RTX 5070 versus RTX 4090 marketing nonsense? Nvidia has published a blog post bigging up the performance and technical prowess of a new 'custom' processor in the Nintendo Switch 2. Nvidia says the new chip -- which has not been named -- offers 10 times the performance of the Nvidia chip in the original Switch, though that claim is entirely non-specific. Notably, Nvidia isn't providing any details about how that performance comparison is made. What's more, Nvidia has also said the new chip enables DLSS upscaling powered by an AI algorithm. Therefore, going on past Nvidia marketing, specifically the claim that the new RTX 5070 desktop GPU provides comparable performance to the old RTX 4090, Nvidia may be comparing the new chip running with upscaling to the old chip rendering natively. Nvidia says the new processors benefits from, "1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element," and features, "an NVIDIA GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements." However, there's no indication of what generation of Nvidia GPU architecture the new chip is based on, nor any details about its CPU cores. Nvidia has confirmed the chip has both RT cores and tensor cores, which at minimum puts it level with the RTX 20-series, otherwise known as Turing, in terms of features. There have, of course, been another three Nvidia architectures which meet that definition, the RTX 30-series or Ampere, the RTX 40-series also codenamed Lovelace, and the very latest Blackwell tech in the RTX 50-series. It's entirely unclear from Nvidia's blog post which architecture we are dealing with here. It's not totally impossible, though probably unlikely, that it's a custom GPU generation that doesn't map neatly to any PC graphics technology. However, previous rumours have suggested the chip is based on an Ampere GPU with 1,536 CUDA cores, so that remains the most likely specification, for now. The original Switch made do with just 256 Maxwell-era CUDA cores and neither RT or Tensor cores. So, even if the new console doesn't have fully 10 times the pure rendering performance, it will be much, much faster in any case. Whatever, arguably one of the most interesting unanswered questions is whether the new chip will use the latest and much improved transformer model for DLSS 4 upscaling. That is more computationally intensive than the previous CNN model used for previous generations of DLSS upscaling. This new chip is certainly less powerful than most or perhaps any desktop GPU that's compatible with running DLSS 4. So, does the new Switch 2 processor have the performance to run the transformer model? We'll find out... eventually!

Nintendo Switch 2 developers confirm ray-tracing is available

TL;DR: Nintendo Switch 2 developers discussed the console's hardware capabilities, including the use of NVIDIA's Tegra SOC and DLSS for AI upscaling. They mentioned plans for additional upscaling options, both AI-based and non-AI-based, and confirmed that developers can choose to output natively without upscaling. Nintendo Switch 2 developers have sat down for an interview to discuss the upcoming console's hardware capabilities and what game developers will have at their disposal when it comes to building games for Nintendo's latest platform. Kouchi Kawamoto and Takuhiro Dohta from Nintendo's Entertainment Planning and Development Department, and Tetusya Sasaki from Nintendo's Technology Development Division spoke with IGN, who asked several questions about what is under the hood of the Switch 2. Nintendo was asked if the Switch 2 is running a NVIDIA Tegra SOC (System on Chip), and what graphics architecture the chip is based on. Nintendo slightly deflected from the question by saying that "a lot of details" will be discovered in "NVIDIA's information they've shared." Additionally, Nintendo was asked what kind of upscaling the system uses, and if it's AI upscaling. Nintendo responded by saying, "I think probably the main kind of easiest upscaling to use is the DLSS that NVIDIA provides. So from that standpoint, I guess you could say this AI." Nintendo added that its planning on rolling out "other options of upscaling through software" that include both AI-based and non-AI-based upscaling. Nintendo gave some information that wasn't included in the Direct focussed on the new console, which is the confirmation that even though there is upscaling, "there's also the option to not upscale and just output natively. So that's also an option that developers can use." IGN: What about ray tracing? Is that something that your team experimented with? Nintendo: Just like DLSS, that's when we're kind of making the graphics of a game. We consider ray tracing as just another tool to do that - it's not that we're going to try to use ray tracing on everything, but really trying to figure out what types of graphics, what types of screens, what types of situations are best suited for ray tracing, and then trying to apply that. That's the approach we took when we did all of our researching and experimenting.

Switch 2 has '10x the graphics performance' of the Nintendo Switch

TL;DR: The Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a custom NVIDIA GPU with RT and Tensor Cores, offers significant upgrades, including DLSS AI upscaling for 4K visuals and real-time ray tracing. It promises "10X the graphics performance" of the original Switch, enhancing game creation with better physics and optimized APIs. "With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element - from system and chip design to a custom GPU, application programming interfaces (APIs), and world-class development tools - the Nintendo Switch 2 brings major upgrades," NVIDIA's Muni Anda writes in a new blog post about the new console. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a custom NVIDIA GPU that includes RT Cores and Tensor Cores, as seen in its GeForce RTX range. The original Nintendo Switch hardware was based on older NVIDIA architecture from before the RT and AI era of gaming, so the Switch 2 will benefit significantly from DLSS AI upscaling - and it is probably the main reason a game like Metroid Prime 4 can run at a smooth 4K 60 FPS when docked. When comparing the CPU and GPU inside the Switch 2 to the original, NVIDIA says it offers "10X the graphics performance," extending to the development side with "better physics and optimized APIs for faster, more efficient game creation." Regarding enhanced physics on the new GPU, it's safe to say that we can already see that in Nintendo's first-party Donkey Kong Bananza game from the team behind the incredible Super Mario Odyssey. In classic Nintendo fashion, the team has leveraged the capabilities of the new hardware to present a new style of vibrant 3D platformer with a fully destructible environment. Watch the trailer below if you haven't seen the game in action - it's impressive. Undoubtedly, the Switch 2 hardware is a massive step up, but the "10X the graphics performance" statement is also classic NVIDIA in that it probably refers to running a game on the original Switch hardware versus running it with DLSS and other hardware-specific features enabled on the Switch 2. Still, it's fantastic to see DLSS coming to a home console as the AI technology, on its own, delivers a generational-like improvement to performance via software alone. The Nintendo Switch 2 is powered by a custom NVIDIA GPU that includes RT Cores and Tensor Cores, as seen in its GeForce RTX hardware. The Switch 2 supports DLSS upscaling, which will be key in delivering 4K visuals for the docked console and 120 FPS 1080p action in Metroid Prime 4. Also, the RT Cores will allow real-time ray-tracing on the console - a first for Nintendo. With more advanced GPU hardware and DLSS, NVIDIA notes that the Switch 2 offers "10X the graphical performance" of the original Switch.

NVIDIA confirms the Switch 2 can handle ray-traced reflections, shadows, and 'dynamic lighting'

TL;DR: NVIDIA confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature a custom processor with RT Cores and Tensor Cores, supporting AI enhancements like DLSS and real-time ray-tracing. Based on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture, it offers significant improvements over the original Switch. DLSS will enable upscaling to 1080p in handheld mode and 4K when docked. Although full specs on the chip and its capabilities have yet to be confirmed, NVIDIA has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 includes an NVIDIA GPU with "RT Cores and Tensor Cores" to support AI enhancements like DLSS and real-time ray-tracing. Nintendo's official technical specs for the new console simply list a "Custom processor made by NVIDIA" for the CPU and GPU. An NVIDIA GPU powers the Nintendo Switch 2, and it features RT Cores and Tensor Cores. Either way, it's a massive improvement over the original switch, which included a custom NVIDIA Tegra X1 chip based on the pre-GeForce RTX 'Maxwell' architecture - a chip also used in NVIDIA's Shield devices. With RT Cores and Tensor Cores (the exact CUDA Core counts and clock speeds are still TBC), the Switch 2's GPU architecture, according to leaks, is based on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture from the GeForce RTX 30 Series. "The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows for more immersive worlds," Muni Anda, Vice President of Software Engineering at NVIDIA, writes. "Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality." NVIDIA states that RT Cores will enhance in-game realism with "dynamic lighting and natural reflections," confirming that Switch 2 games will be able to include real-time ray-traced reflections, shadows, and global illumination. Of course, enabling ray-tracing comes with a significant performance cost, so it'll be interesting to see what games will leverage the Switch 2's RT Cores for ray-tracing. Nintendo has always showcased new features for its hardware, so we're assuming that the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour digital launch game will include a couple of ray-tracing demos. With DLSS support confirmed (based on the lower hardware spec, we're assuming this will be a version of DLSS 2.X or DLSS 3.X), the good news is that it will be able to render internally at a lower resolution and then be upscaled to 1080p in handheld mode or 4K when docked.

Nvidia Finally Spills The Beans On What's Powering The Switch 2, Promises '10x' Graphics Performance Of Original Switch

Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about the chip powering the Switch 2, but thanks to Nvidia we now have a better idea of what it is and the next-gen features it will support. Those include DLSS, ray tracing, and Variable Refresh Rate in handheld mode for games that choose (or manage) to support them. According to the chip manufacturer, the new hardware is "powered by a custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements." This equates to "10x" the graphical performance of the original Switch released in 2017, or at least that's what the company, fond of lofty and occasionally misleading promises, is currently boasting. In a new post over on Nvidia's website, it confirmed things we already knew from yesterday's Switch 2 Nintendo Direct like 4K gaming in TV mode, up to 120fps at 1080p in handheld mode, HDR support on the LCD screen and TV mode, as well as AI upscaling to "sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay." But the chip maker also went into more detail on other features the Switch 2 can support even if they don't end up making their way into every game. The big one is Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) which boosts image quality without sacrificing framerate. It's become a cornerstone of PC gaming and one of the main ways rigs punch above their weight for running high-end games. The Switch 2 will also be capable of ray tracing, a feature still somewhat rarely seen in console gaming in practice, as well as Nvidia G-Sync's Variable Refresh Rate in handheld mode to make performance and image quality more smooth using AI. The company also claimed the Switch 2's GPU tensor cores do all this while "keeping power consumption efficient." Exactly how efficient remains to be seen. Nintendo recently revealed the Switch 2's battery life is even worse than the original Switch at the low-end. How all of these features work out in practice, and in the hands of developers, will be the real test. Once the Switch 2 is out in the wild for real we'll have a better sense of how it operates after hardware enthusiasts do teardowns and show us exactly what's inside.

Nintendo Switch 2 Supports Nvidia DLSS and Ray Tracing, Nintendo Confirms

Nintendo Switch 2 will suport ray tracing in games The hybrid console enables up to 4K gaming in docked mode Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 (roughly Rs. 38,500) in the US The Nintendo Switch 2 will support Nvidia DLSS upscaling technology and ray tracing in games, Nintendo has said after fully unveiling its next console. The Switch 2's technical specifications confirm that the hybrid console utilises a custom Nvidia processor. Nvidia, too, confirmed DLSS and ray-tracing support for the Switch 2 on Thursday, and said its custom GPU would bring "next-level visuals" and "smoother gameplay" on the new platform. Nintendo confirmed Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) ray tracing technology on the Switch 2 in a roundtable Q&A in New York following the Nintendo Direct broadcast on Wednesday. According to IGN, which attended the roundtable session, Nintendo did not provide details of the DLSS version supported. DLSS upscaling technology uses AI and machine learning to improve the quality of lower resolution images in real-time and boost framerates in games. Nvidia later announced the same in a blog post on Thursday, confirming the Nintendo Switch 2 was powered by a custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores. "The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds," the company said. "Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality. "Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming." Nvidia claimed the Switch 2 would produce 10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch and deliver sharper visuals and smoother gameplay. In handheld mode, the Switch 2 display would support variable refresh rate via Nvidia G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing. Nintendo and Nvidia have not detailed CPU and GPU specifications of the Switch 2 and have instead shared broad details about the console's capabilities. The Nintendo Switch 2 can deliver up to 4K resolution in docked mode and up to 120fps gaming at 1080p in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch successor is set to release on June 5, along with a host of launch-day first-party and third-party titles. The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display and redesigned magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers that also support mouse controls. The console is priced at $449.99 (roughly Rs. 38,500) in the US for the sole 256GB storage option, $150 more than the original Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch 2 officially has the Nvidia DLSS tech that's become essential for PC gaming, promising "10x the graphics performance" of Switch 1

The Switch 2's screen also supports VRR through G-Sync in handheld mode We can finally put the rumors to rest: Switch 2 does indeed feature ray tracing and DLSS thanks to its Nvidia graphics chip, bringing it in line with the features offered in the manufacturer's high-end PC graphics cards. "The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled April 2, takes performance to the next level, powered by a custom NVIDIA processor featuring an NVIDIA GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements," Nvidia says in its announcement. The most exciting of those enhancements, for my money, is Deep Learning Super Sampling, or DLSS, which is Nvidia's collection of AI upscaling techniques. If you want AI upscaling explained in full, you can follow that link, but, in short, it essentially lets the hardware run the game at a lower internal resolution which is then upscaled into a sharper resolution. That means you get the performance benefits of a game running at low rez, but the upscale can, in many cases, make it look just as sharp as if it were running natively in 4K. There are a whole bunch of different AI upscaling techniques for different pieces of hardware out there - console players might be familiar with PS5 Pro's PSSR technique - but DLSS tends to produce some of the technique's best results. I've had a DLSS-equipped GPU in my gaming PC for years, and at this point I turn the feature on pretty much the instant I launch a new game. After dealing with blurry Switch 1 games with mediocre-to-bad frame rates for so long, I'm very excited to finally have confirmation that DLSS is going to be available on Switch. It'll likely be up to individual developers to decide how DLSS is implemented, setting resolution parameters and performance targets. But between DLSS and the general improvements of Switch 2's new graphics processor, Nvidia says the new console can deliver "10x the graphics performance" of Switch 1. It remains to be seen just how accurate that claim is, but with the limitations the aging mobile hardware had put on so many Switch developers, it's exciting to finally see a current-gen visual upgrade on Nintendo hardware.

Nintendo Switch 2 to feature Nvidia-powered performance upgrade with DLSS and ray tracing; release set for June 5

Nintendo has officially confirmed that its upcoming Switch 2 console will feature a custom Nvidia processor, but many details remain under wraps. The company released minimal technical information about its product, although Nvidia released explanations for how its technology drives the hybrid console-operation device. Support for Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling technology represents a major update in the functionality of the Switch 2 console. The artificial intelligence technology enables lower resolution gaming, which then stretches content to provide better visual quality and enhanced performance. Nintendo maintains silence regarding the specific version of DLSS on the upcoming console, together with its capability to conduct frame generation. The GPU of the Switch 2 contains processes for both real-time ray tracing as well as Tensor Cores and dedicated RT Cores that deliver immediate ray tracing. The improved device allows gamers to enjoy more realistic lighting features together with enhanced shadows and reflections in supported video games. The Tensor Core technology enables AI functions on the gaming system by improving its ability to track faces and remove backgrounds in video chats, thus expanding its utility for social activities such as gaming and streaming. Also Read : Ford launches From America, For America to offer employee-pricing plan as Donald Trump's auto tariffs go into effect According to Nintendo, the next-generation Switch 2 gaming console will provide "10 times the graphics performance" when compared to its predecessor. It appears the announcement incorporates both DLSS enhancement benefits alongside native hardware processing power, although DLSS provides most of the upgrade. The Switch 2 features a TV output function capable of generating video resolution up to 4K, according to Nintendo. The system allows developers to choose between an actual resolution match or utilizing DLSS technology to increase the quality of lower resolution images. G-Sync technology by Nvidia provides Switch 2 users with variable refresh rates that deliver smooth gameplay performance when operating in hand-held mode. New improvements add higher graphical abilities to the console system while maintaining its hybrid functionality. Nintendo announced during their developer Q&A session that improved hardware enables Donkey Kong Bananza to deliver destructible levels and Mario Kart World to present connected courses without interruptions. Nvidia provides some information about the device, but Nintendo has not disclosed any technical specifications regarding the Switch 2. The GPU received minimal attention from Tetsuya Sasaki, who leads Nintendo's Technology Development Division, since the company values player experience over hardware specifications disclosure. The representative suggested that Nvidia will possibly provide further information about their products at a later time. Also Read : Grand National 2025: Schedule, confirmed runners and riders A Nintendo patent documenting AI-powered image upscaling technology emerged in July 2023 because the patent describes a solution to minimize game file sizes without impacting visual quality. Similar to Nvidia's DLSS technology, Nintendo has shown how it will enhance performance on the upcoming Switch 2 version. The upcoming launch date for the console is June 5, 2025, at its base price of $449.99. 1. Does the Nintendo Switch 2 support native 4K gaming? The Switch 2 can output to a TV at 4K resolution, but developers can choose between native 4K or using DLSS upscaling for enhanced visuals. 2. What improvements does the Switch 2 offer over the original Switch? The Switch 2 features 10x graphics performance, DLSS upscaling, real-time ray tracing, G-Sync for smoother gameplay, and AI-driven enhancements for social gaming and streaming.

Nvidia's Custom GPU Enhances Nintendo Switch 2 With AI Features, Real-Time Ray Tracing, 4K Support - NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Nintendo Co (OTC:NTDOF), Nintendo Co (OTC:NTDOY)

In a market dominated by tariff tensions, geopolitical surprises, and Fed uncertainty, Matt Maley's technical approach delivers clear entry/exit points for consistent income potential. Try it free for 7 days Nintendo NTDOY NTDOF Switch 2 unveiled on April 2, is powered by a custom Nvidia Corp NVDA processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for visuals and AI-driven enhancements. With 1,000 engineer years of effort across every element, from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs, and development tools, the Nintendo Switch 2 brings significant upgrades. The new console enables up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. Also Read: Nintendo Q3 Revenue Drops, Cuts Outlook and Dividend, Switch Sales Slow Ahead of Next-Gen Console Nintendo Switch 2 also supports HDR and AI upscaling to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay. The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows for more immersive worlds. Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality. Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming. Nintendo on Wednesday revealed the Switch 2, launching June 5 at $450, with 4K gaming and enhanced features. The standard console will be accompanied by a $500 bundle with a digital Mario Kart World copy. The Switch 2 will have a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen with HDR and supports up to 120 frames per second. The system also introduces GameShare, enabling multiple Switch 2 consoles to connect and play shared games locally or online. Nintendo also announced several high-game releases, including The Duskbloods, a FromSoftware title slated for 2026, and Donkey Kong Bonanza, launching July 17. The original Switch, launched in 2017 at $299, became one of the best-selling consoles, with over 139 million units sold globally. Coming to Nvidia, BofA's Vivek Arya maintained a Buy on it, calling it his top pick ahead of fourth-quarter earnings. He cited the rising tide of AI compute/networking demand and no evidence of GPUs losing their 80%+ share. Read Next: Chip Equipment Maker ASML To Boost Japan Workforce 5x Amid Global Race For Advanced Semiconductor Tech Image via Shutterstock NTDOFNintendo Co Ltd$70.741.19%OverviewNTDOYNintendo Co Ltd$16.81-3.17%NVDANVIDIA Corp$102.06-7.57%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

GRTV News - Nintendo Switch 2 to be bolstered by Nvidia AI technology

The technology giant has shared some information about how its RT and Tensor Core-enabled GPU allows the Switch 2 to go above and beyond with performance. "Hello everyone and welcome back to the final episode of GRT News for the week. Today we're going to be talking a little bit about the Switch 2 again, but mainly about something else today, specifically, well actually this is something that I was kind of expecting to be the case with this console all the same, but it was not something they even marginally mentioned during the big Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on Wednesday, and that is that the console will use some form of AI processing to be able to enable it to have better performance, right? You know the sort of tips, the little tricks that is used on PC and also on consoles these days to make a game that doesn't run as well as it should run better, right? We're talking upscaling, we're talking DLSS, these sorts of things, things that can improve the resolution without requiring more performance or, you know, increase or enhance the frame rate by slotting in sort of fake frames in between real frames, and that is something we're going to be getting with the Switch 2. Again, Nintendo never actually mentioned this in the show, but NVIDIA, obviously they're a big part of the Switch 2 because they have a, well the console is run on their chipset, and now they've come out and specifically mentioned as to what this involves, so let's dive on in." "Now NVIDIA reveals details of DLSS with AI on Switch 2 to achieve 4K ahead of Nintendo itself, so Switch 2 is claimed to have 10 times the graphics performance of its predecessor, which granted, I would assume that there are a few mobile phones out there that have similar and maybe somewhat better performance than the Switch at this point, so it's not like a huge leap. But anyway, Nintendo Switch 2 is already something tangible and close in time, there's many details, some technical specifications, release date June 5th and price were revealed yesterday, but one thing Nintendo held back besides showing us a new 3D Mario were details about the NVIDIA chip that will power the console and what makes the hardware achieve 4K resolution graphics and 120 FPS rates. Well, it seems that the processor's manufacturer, NVIDIA, has beaten Nintendo to the punch by publishing that Nintendo Switch 2 uses an NVIDIA GPU with RT and Tensile cores that take advantage of AI rescaling or upscaling. So the interesting thing here is that the RT bit means ray tracing, so maybe it means that we'll have some very fancy reflections in Switch games at some point. The RT cores enable realistic lighting, shadows and reflections, while the Tensile cores power AI features like Deep Learning Super Sampling, i.e. DLSS. They also will regulate face tracking, microphone volume regulation and background removal in video chat when using the Game Chat feature." "So finally, the Variable Refresh Rate, or VRR, uses NVIDIA G-Sync in the console's handheld mode, with which 120 FPS can be achieved on screen. To give you an idea, the Mario Kart World gameplay you can see below that we recorded this morning is limited to 100 FPS, so expect even more fluidity in future titles. What do you think of these new technical additions to the Nintendo Switch? Now to me, we've seen a lot of footage of the Nintendo Switch 2 as of late, showing how the games run and how they're quite interesting looking titles. To me, Nintendo, I would be surprised if Nintendo hasn't exactly been particularly, let's say, honest in regards to how these games are performing. It happens a lot, don't bash just Nintendo for this." "For example, when we see, when the RTX 50 series of GPUs came out and Black Myth Wukong was being shown off, they were saying, look how well it's running, when really the game was running natively at about 30 frames per second, it was being upscaled through the roof through technology like this. So I wouldn't be surprised if there's some funky things going on in the background a little bit with the Nintendo Switch 2 that Nintendo aren't really telling you about, because if it's capped at 120 frames per second, there's no way it's running at 100 frames per second without any AI help, because otherwise there's no point of having those AI systems in there if they're only going to boost the frame rate by 20 frames per second, which will, again, the performance will improve as the generation goes on, really, because people become more familiar with the console and how to optimize for it. So it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of the games that have been shown as of late and how they're performing, they're probably running at sort of 60 frames per second or something like that, and then they're being upscaled and using DLSS to make them run smoother and whatnot. Again, it's interesting that NVIDIA's come out with this. To me, Nintendo's probably sort of pulled the curtain over this a little bit. Look how good our console is, look how well it runs, and NVIDIA's like, well, hang on a minute, there's a bit of help here. Again, this is all just purely speculation from me, but when you sort of line up all the stars, it kind of points in one direction a little bit, so I think that's what's happening here. But the key thing to note is that, as expected, as everything these days has, Nintendo Switch 2 will use artificial intelligence systems, and when it comes to graphics, that includes NVIDIA, that includes going through an NVIDIA GPU that uses ray tracing cores or AI cores to improve graphics, improve reflections, improve performance, all that good stuff. We'll no doubt hear plenty more about this stuff in the near future, because it's very important, but otherwise, if we don't, the Switch 2 only launches in early June, so it's closer than it is further away, so stay tuned for all that good stuff. But otherwise, yeah, that's all the time that I have on today's episode of GRTV News, but I will be back now on Monday for the next one, so I'll see you all on the other side. Take care, everyone."

NVidia reveals details of DLSS with AI on Switch 2 to achieve 4K ahead of Nintendo itself

Nintendo Switch 2 is already something tangible and close to everyone's heart, as many details, some technical specifications, release date and price were revealed yesterday. But one thing Nintendo held back (besides showing us a new 3D Mario) were details about the Nvidia chip that will power the console, and what makes the hardware achieve 4K resolution graphics and 120fps rates. Well, it seems that the processor's manufacturer, Nvidia, has beaten Nintendo to the punch by publishing that Nintendo Switch 2 uses an NVidia GPU with RT and Tensor cores that take advantage of AI rescaling. The RT cores enable realistic lighting, shadows and reflections, while the Tensor cores power AI-powered features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). They are also what will regulate face tracking, microphone volume regulation and background removal in video chat when using the GameChat feature. Finally, the variable refresh rate (VRR) uses Nvidia G-SYNC in the console's handheld mode, with which 120 fps can be achieved on screen. To give you an idea, the Mario Kart World gameplay you can see below that we recorded this morning is limited to 100fps, so expect even more fluidity in future titles. What do you think of these new technical additions to Nintendo Switch 2?

What the new Nvidia chip means for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo's next-gen console gets ray-tracing, AI-driven enhancements and more. After literally years of rumours, the Nintendo Switch 2 was finally revealed in all its glory this week in a Nintendo Direct event. With preorders to open on 9 April (though not in the US) ahead of a 5 June 2025 release date, fans are naturally wondering whether it's worth upgrading. Visually, the main difference is the Nintendo Switch 2's size. It's notably larger than the original 2017 console, with a 7.9in screen. As we've seen in our full guide to the Nintendo Switch 2, the display has had an upgrade to 1080p, and the Joy-Cons also have new features. But what about what's inside? Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be powered by a custom Nvidia chip. The original Switch had a Tegra X1 System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 CPU and a 256-core GM20B Maxwell GPU. Nintendo itself hasn't provided details of the new chip, but Nvidia says the new Switch is getting a custom Nvidia processor also featuring a custom Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores, which could mean a big upgrade in visuals and AI-driven enhancements. We know that the new console enables up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 frames per second at 1080p in handheld mode. HDR is also supported. Nvidia says that thanks to its chip, the console also supports AI upscaling to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay and ray tracing for next-level visuals. The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, a technique that simulates how light interacts with objects that is already present on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This means Switch 2 games could have more realistic lighting, reflections and shadows, which potentially means more immersive worlds. Nvidia's Tensor Cores will power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality or sending power consumption too wild. They also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming. Nvidia describes the overall result as 10x the graphics performance of the original Nintendo Switch, while a variable refresh rate via Nvidia G-SYNC in handheld mode should ensure ultra-smooth, tear-free gameplay. The upgrades also mean that developers can use the latest features in game engines and better physics and optimized APIs for faster, more efficient game creation (see our pick of the best game development software). Switch 2 preorders will open on 9 April 2025 in most countries, but US preorders will start later as Nintendo has said it needs to assess the tariff situation, which could potentially lead to a price increase. The Switch 2 release data is 5 June. See below for deals on the existing range, or check out our guide to the best game consoles.

Nvidia Says Its Custom GPU Means Nintendo Switch 2 Has 10x the Graphics Performance of the Nintendo Switch - IGN

As Nintendo had teased, Nvidia has now discussed the custom GPU powering the Nintendo Switch 2, although it failed to go into the level of detail tech enthusiasts were hoping for. In a blog post, Nvidia confirmed what IGN had reported earlier today from Nintendo itself: that its GPU enables AI upscaling via DLSS and ray tracing. Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI-powered technology that uses machine learning to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, enhancing both performance and image quality in games. There is a little more detail on offer here on the Switch 2's GPU. Nvidia described it as a "custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements." Nvidia continued: "With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element -- from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs and world-class development tools -- the Nintendo Switch 2 brings major upgrades." Those upgrades include up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. Nintendo Switch 2 also supports HDR, and AI upscaling "to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay." The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering "lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds," Nvidia continued. Tensor Cores, meanwhile, power AI-driven features like DLSS, "boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality." Interestingly, Nvidia said the Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, "enhancing social gaming and streaming." During the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed the C button, which is used for new chat functionality that incorporates an external camera and the microphone in the Switch 2 itself. Nintendo made a point of saying the tech is smart enough to pay attention to the player's voice and filter out background noise. And here's the big claim from Nvidia: "With 10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers smoother gameplay and sharper visuals." There's no detail on how it's determined that graphics performance. It will no doubt be left to experts such as Digital Foundry to run the numbers once the Switch 2 launches in June. Elsewhere, Nvidia said the Tensor Cores "boost AI-powered graphics while keeping power consumption efficient," and the RT Cores "enhance in-game realism with dynamic lighting and natural reflections." Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) via Nvidia G-SYNC in handheld mode "ensures ultra-smooth, tear-free gameplay." In a hardware-focused roundtable Q&A in New York yesterday, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives confirmed the Switch 2 uses DLSS, but did not specify which version of the tech, or whether it had been customized for Switch 2. It was a similarly vague response when Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2's GPU is capable of ray tracing. And what about the GPU itself? Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager at Nintendo's Technology Development Division, and Senior Director at its Technology Development Department, chimed in to say Nintendo prefers not to get in the weeds on things like the GPU. "Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec," he said. "What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information." In January, the internet spotted a patent, filed July 2023 but published for the first time earlier this year, that described AI image upscaling technology that would help keep video game download sizes small enough to fit on a physical game cartridge while offering up to 4K textures. For more, check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and what the experts have to say about the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World's $80 price tag.

Nintendo Confirms Switch 2 Uses DLSS and Ray Tracing, but Is Being Super Vague About the Details - IGN

Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 uses DLSS and ray tracing technology, but has yet to go into detail on how exactly, or show them off. Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI-powered technology that uses machine learning to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, enhancing both performance and image quality in games. This week's hour-long Nintendo Direct revealed much about the Switch 2, but Nintendo has kept technical information to a minimum. Even in the official Nintendo Switch 2 tech specs there is only confirmation that the console uses a "custom processor" made by Nvidia, and no more detail. In a hardware-focused roundtable Q&A in New York yesterday, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives confirmed the Switch 2 uses DLSS, but did not specify which version of the tech, or whether it had been customized for Switch 2. Takuhiro Dohta, senior director of the Programming Management Group Entertainment Planning & Development Department, at Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development Division, confirmed: "We use DLSS upscaling technology and that's something that we need to use as we develop games. "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." It was a similarly vague response when Dohta confirmed the Switch 2's GPU is capable of ray tracing. "Yes the GPU does support ray tracing," he said. "As with DLSS, I believe this provides yet another option for the software developer to use and a tool for them." And what about the GPU itself? Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager at Nintendo's Technology Development Division, and Senior Director at its Technology Development Department, chimed in to say Nintendo prefers not to get in the weeds on things like the GPU. "Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec," he said. "What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information." In January, the internet spotted a patent, filed July 2023 but published for the first time earlier this year, that describes AI image upscaling technology that would help keep video game download sizes small enough to fit on a physical game cartridge while offering up to 4K textures. The patent describes technology similar to Nvidia's DLSS, or PlayStation 5 Pro's PSSR, to upscale images using AI. For more, check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and what the experts have to say about the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World's $80 price tag.