On Nintendo’s official specifications page, they keep it pretty vague about the Nintendo Switch 2, only mentioning a "Custom processor made by NVIDIA" as the core brain for both CPU and GPU. However, during a developer roundtable event, we got some juicy details about what this means for the Switch 2’s hardware and what it offers to game developers.
The session featured producer Kouichi Kawamoto, technical director Tetsuya Sasaki, and director Takuhiro Dohta fielding questions from the press through interpreter Raymond Elliget. When asked about the hardware, Sasaki explained that Nintendo typically doesn’t focus on sharing detailed specs. "We’re more interested in what value this can bring to our consumers," he mentioned. Still, they did share some insights into what we can anticipate.
The discussion revealed some cool tech aspects Nintendo is leveraging and shed light on elements not immediately obvious from the spec sheet. Here’s what we found out:
DLSS and Hardware Ray Tracing are Onboard
Thanks to their partnership with Nvidia, Nintendo can tap into Nvidia’s DLSS technologies. Dohta confirmed, in response to a question from Inverse’s Shannon Liao, that Nintendo is indeed incorporating DLSS upscaling technology and offers it as an option for developers.
"The console can output a max of 4K on a TV," he said. "Whether developers choose to use that as a native resolution or go for a smaller rate and upscale is up to them. It provides a lot of flexibility for developers."
In terms of hardware ray tracing, Dohta assured us the chip can support it, offering game creators another powerful tool to enhance their games’ visuals.
Battery Life and System Processing
While the Switch 2’s 5220 mAh battery life ranges from 2 to 6.5 hours, as per the official spec sheet, the developers were hesitant to provide a precise figure. Sasaki pointed out that battery longevity highly depends on the games played and conditions used.
Dohta added that with features like GameChat, there are many more complex functions in this iteration compared to the original Switch, broadening the variability in battery life and making direct comparisons difficult.
Original Switch Software Runs via Emulation
Concerning how the Switch 2 handles backwards compatibility with previous Switch titles and GameCube classics, the team confirmed that these are actually emulated, similar to Xbox’s backward compatibility approach.
"It’s complex, but while it’s not just hardware-driven, I’d classify it more as software-based," Sasaki explained about the emulation solution.
Enhanced Bluetooth Capabilities
The new Joy-Cons pair with the Switch 2 using Bluetooth 3.0. Addressing issues with connecting multiple Bluetooth devices like controllers and headsets to the original Switch, Sasaki simply stated, "Yes, it has improved."
He elaborated that the system’s larger size and increased antennas should significantly enhance connections. Plus, an increased number of antennas and other fine-tuning measures have been undertaken for better stability.
The Choice of LCD over OLED
The Switch 2 is equipped with a 7.9-inch LCD display that supports HDR. While an OLED screen featured in a premium version of the original Switch, which some might see as a retrograde step, Sasaki explained that there have been significant advancements in LCD tech.
Kawamoto also pointed out that this new LCD screen provides HDR support, something the OLED screen on the original Switch lacked.
Two USB Type-C Ports Explained
CNET’s Scott Stein inquired about whether the top USB-C port could connect to external displays, like Xreal glasses. Kawamoto clarified that only the bottom port supports video out.
"Since the glasses aren’t an official Nintendo product, it’s hard to say," Kawamoto said.
The top USB-C port, however, supports accessories like the new Nintendo Switch 2 camera and can charge the system when set up in tabletop mode.
