On Nintendo’s official specifications page, the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) details for the Nintendo Switch 2 are summarized rather ambiguously as a “Custom processor made by NVIDIA.” Yet, during a developer roundtable with several key figures involved in the Switch 2’s creation, we gained some intriguing insights into the hardware and how it might benefit game developers.
The event featured contributions from producer Kouichi Kawamoto, technical director Tetsuya Sasaki, and director Takuhiro Dohta, who addressed questions (with the help of interpreter Raymond Elliget) from the press regarding the new Switch.
“Nintendo tends to be reserved about hardware specs,” Sasaki noted. “Our primary focus has always been on the value we provide to our consumers.” Nevertheless, the team did offer some valuable tidbits to manage our expectations.
We were able to glean some information about the technology Nintendo plans to utilize and a few aspects of the hardware that remain unspecified on official documents. Here’s what we found out:
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### DLSS and Hardware Ray Tracing Confirmed
By partnering with NVIDIA, Nintendo will have access to their DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology. Dohta confirmed Nintendo’s use of DLSS upscaling tech in a response to a query from Inverse’s Shannon Liao.
“When it comes to the hardware, the Switch 2 can output up to 4K on a TV,” Dohta explained. “Whether developers choose to use native resolution or upscale from a smaller one is up to them. This flexibility opens numerous options for developers.”
Regarding hardware ray tracing, Dohta also confirmed that the new chip supports it, implying it’s an additional tool available for developers.
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### Battery Life and System Processing
Nintendo’s spec sheet notes that the Switch 2’s 5,220 mAh battery offers a “rough estimate” of 2 to 6.5 hours per charge. The development team, however, hesitated to specify a more precise number. Sasaki pointed out that battery life largely varies based on the game and how the system is being used.
Dohta further mentioned that new features like GameChat add complexity, making battery life more variable than it was with the original Switch. The broader range of activities might affect battery predictions, making direct comparisons more challenging.
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### Original Switch Software is Emulated
Regarding backward compatibility with Switch games and GameCube classics, the developers confirmed that these titles are emulated on the new system. This approach is similar to Xbox’s backward compatibility method.
“It’s somewhat complicated,” Sasaki acknowledged. “Emulation isn’t solely dependent on hardware; it’s partly software-based.”
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### Improved Bluetooth
The Joy-Cons for the Switch 2 connect via Bluetooth 3.0. When asked about previous difficulties users faced with connecting multiple Bluetooth devices to the original Switch, Sasaki assured improvements have been made.
“Definitely, we’ve enhanced the system,” he affirmed, explaining that the larger size and increased number of antennas should lead to better connectivity.
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### LCD Over OLED
The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display supporting HDR. While the original Switch had a premium OLED version, one journalist noted this change might be seen as a step down.
Sasaki, however, explained that LCD technology has made significant advances during development. Kawamoto added that, unlike the original OLED model, this new LCD screen includes HDR support.
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### The Two USB Type-C Ports
When CNET’s Scott Stein inquired about the potential use of the top USB-C port for external displays, such as Xreal glasses, Kawamoto clarified that only the bottom port supports video output.
“In regards to supporting the glasses,” Kawamoto said, “since it’s not an official Nintendo product, it’s hard to make definitive statements.”
The top USB-C port is used with the new Nintendo Switch 2 camera and is also capable of charging the system while in tabletop mode.
By picking apart these details, we gain a clearer picture of what to anticipate from the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing the new capabilities and flexibility it offers both consumers and developers.
