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Just a little more to share: When Nintendo announced the Switch 2, they were vague about the chip that powered the device. They only mentioned that it was a Nvidia-designed custom chip. There were no technical specifications provided, just general information such as support for up-to-120fps on the device, 4K at 30fps, VRR and similar features. Nvidia has now shed some light on the topic.
Nvidia posted a blog recently highlighting features of hardware powering Switch 2, going beyond the initial information shared by Nintendo. Support for ray-tracing is one of these features.
Ray tracing was available on other consoles as well, but it took some time for developers to actually use it. Spider-Man Miles Morales, and Cyberpunk 2077 are among the first titles that implemented ray tracing for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. According to The Shortcut’s January report, the number of PS5 games that support ray tracing has increased to 58. Some of these games only support ray tracing with the PS5 Pro.
Nintendo can also boast about DLSS, which has become a standard for desktop gaming. AMD’s platform independent alternative, FidelityFX Super Resolution, has been incorporated into gaming laptops and consoles as well as handheld PCs. Both technologies improve image quality and performance, but Nvidia’s DLSS is available on the Switch 2 for the first time. Nvidia claims the hybrid console from Nintendo delivers 10 times more graphical performance than the original Switch.
This all looks great on paper. But, it’s up to developers to actually implement these technologies. We shouldn’t expect widespread acceptance right away. Rockstar, for instance, did not add ray tracing in GTA V until 2022, two years after the launch of Xbox Series X and PS5. Adoption may be even slower in this country due to the Switch 2’s smaller display and handheld focus.
Despite its increased resolution when docked on a TV the Switch 2 still heavily markets itself as a handheld. Its 8-inch 1080p display at 120fps will be more than enough for handheld use. Developers may not feel the need to integrate DLSS and ray tracing into new releases or patches – at least not immediately. Nvidia did not mention any games that are currently in development to showcase either technology.
The Switch 2’s price and cost of games are the most pressing concerns.
With a price tag of $450, and still sub-console performance for the Switch 2, many current Switch owners will not upgrade. Nintendo’s new pricing strategy of $70 to $80.00 for both new titles and remastered games has also raised eyebrows. The Switch 2 is a capable handheld but it does not measure up to consoles, except for the price.
