Nintendo created quite the buzz with the grand unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, even though they kept a tight lid on specifics about the chip behind the magic. Breaking the silence, Nvidia, the brains behind the bespoke system on a chip for the console, has shared some intriguing details on their blog.
During a developer meet, Tetsuya Sasaki, the Switch 2’s technical director, explained, “Nintendo tends to play it close to the chest regarding hardware specs. What we’re really excited about is the unique value we can deliver to our gamers.”
Following suit with Nintendo, Nvidia also held back specific numbers like core counts and speeds. However, they proudly announced that the new chip boasts “a tenfold leap in graphics performance over the original Nintendo Switch.”
Harnessing the power of Nvidia’s RT cores, the Switch 2 can handle hardware ray tracing, lighting, and reflections with finesse. Meanwhile, the tensor cores are responsible for supercharging DLSS upscaling, likely allowing for up to 4K visuals when docked and aiming for a smooth 120 frames per second in handheld mode.
Interestingly, Nvidia revealed that these tensor cores also support facial tracking and AI-driven background removal. This tech was shown off with the snazzy GameChat feature and in games like Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. It’s still a mystery whether this tech shares any DNA with the Nvidia Broadcast features available on PCs.
Additionally, the Switch 2’s spanking new variable refresh rate (VRR) display utilizes G-Sync when you’re on the go, promising to keep screen tearing at bay.
It’s worth a nod that Nvidia was also the powerhouse behind the first Nintendo Switch, which leveraged a tailored version of the Tegra X1. That chip, even in its twilight years at launch, has remarkably served its purpose over the years with games still hitting the shelves almost a decade later.
With the Switch 2 set to hit the market on June 5 tagged at $449.99, it will be exciting to see just how much developers can tap into the potential of this souped-up chip.
