On Nintendo’s official site, there’s a tantalizing note that the CPU and GPU powering the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 are described simply as a “Custom processor made by NVIDIA.” But at a recent developer roundtable, some of the people behind the Switch 2 pulled back the curtain a little, shedding light on the hardware and the new possibilities it could unlock for game creators.
Producers Kouichi Kawamoto, Tetsuya Sasaki, the technical mastermind, and director Takuhiro Dohta, participated in a Q&A session with the media. Raymond Elliget acted as the interpreter during this conversation about what makes the new Switch tick.
Sasaki mentioned, “Nintendo is not big on sharing detailed hardware specs.” Instead, the focus is firmly on the “value we can provide to our consumers.” But they didn’t leave us completely in the dark and did manage to sprinkle in some insights.
We dug into more about the technology Nintendo is gearing up to use, along with some unseen details missing from the spec sheet. Here’s the scoop:
### DLSS and Hardware Ray Tracing Get a Thumbs Up
By partnering with Nvidia, Nintendo harnesses the potential of DLSS technologies. During the chat, Dohta revealed to Shannon Liao from Inverse that NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling technology is indeed part of the package and is available for other developers, too.
Dohta explained, “The hardware can output up to 4K on a TV. Whether developers choose to use native resolution or opt for upscaling is up to them. This grants developers a variety of choices.” As for hardware ray tracing, Dohta confirmed support exists within the chip, offering even more options for developers.
### A New Take on Battery Life and System Processing
According to Nintendo’s specifications, the Switch 2’s 5220 mAh battery offers an estimated 2 to 6.5 hours on a single charge. However, the developers were cautious about pinning down a more exact figure. Sasaki highlighted that battery life varies greatly depending on the games played and usage conditions.
Dohta further elaborated that with features like GameChat, the system is packed with more complex features compared to the original, adding even more variability to the battery life when compared to the first Switch.
### Emulating the Original Switch Software
When probed about how the new console handles backward compatibility with classic Switch and GameCube titles, the creators confirmed these are run through emulation. It’s quite similar to what Xbox does for older games.
Sasaki explained, “Though it’s tricky, we categorize it as a software-based solution, even though it’s not just the hardware that’s being emulated.”
### Enhancements in Bluetooth
The latest Joy-Cons utilize Bluetooth 3.0 for connection to the Switch 2. In response to concerns about connectivity issues with multiple devices on the original Switch, Sasaki straightforwardly replied, “Yes, it has improved.”
He also noted that the system’s larger size, along with bigger antennas, should enhance connection reliability. Plus, there have been multiple adjustments, including an increase in the number of antennas.
### Choosing LCD Over OLED
The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD screen equipped with HDR support. While some may view the shift from OLED in the premium version of the original Switch as a step back, Sasaki pointed out there have been significant advances in LCD tech during the development phase.
Kawamoto pitched in, noting that the OLED version lacked HDR support, a feature now present in the new LCD display.
### Dual USB Type-C Ports Unveiled
Scott Stein from CNET inquired if the top USB-C port on the Switch 2 could connect to external displays like Xreal glasses. To this, Kawamoto clarified that only the system’s bottom port provides video output.
“So when it comes to supporting the glasses, since it’s not an official Nintendo product, it’s hard to make a definitive statement,” Kawamoto said. The top USB-C port does support charging and has been shown working with the new Nintendo Switch 2 camera in tabletop mode.
