On the Nintendo Switch 2’s spec page, the details of the CPU and GPU are summed up as a simple “Custom processor made by NVIDIA.” However, during a developer roundtable with some of the folks behind the Switch 2, we got the scoop on what this hardware means for game developers.
Kouichi Kawamoto, the producer, along with Technical Director Tetsuya Sasaki and Director Takuhiro Dohta, were on hand to field questions from the press, with Raymond Elliget interpreting the session. Sasaki kept things close to the chest concerning hardware specifics, saying, “Nintendo doesn’t share too much on the hardware spec. What we really like to focus on is the value we can provide to our consumers.” Yet, we did get some intriguing insights.
We dove into the tech aspects Nintendo’s banking on, along with some hardware tidbits that didn’t make it into the official specs. Here’s what surfaced:
### DLSS and Hardware Ray Tracing are on Board
By choosing to work with Nvidia, Nintendo can tap into its DLSS tech. In response to a question from Shannon Liao at Inverse, Dohta confirmed the inclusion of DLSS upscaling technology.
“When it comes to the hardware,” he elaborated, “it is able to output to a TV at a max of 4K, and whether the software developer is going to use that as a native resolution or get it to a smaller rate and upscale is something that the software developer can choose.” This approach gives developers a range of options to play with.
As for hardware ray tracing, Dohta noted that the chip supports it, adding yet another tool for developers to potentially utilize.
### Battery Life and System Processing
Nintendo’s official gadgets page says the Switch 2’s 5,220 mAh battery offers between 2 to 6.5 hours on a full charge, but that’s just an approximation. Sasaki explained that factors like the game you’re playing and environment conditions could heavily impact battery life.
Dohta chimed in, mentioning that with features such as GameChat, the Switch 2 sports more complex functionalities than its predecessor. Consequently, the battery life variability is even broader than the original Switch, making it tricky to compare the two.
### Emulating Original Switch Software
When it came to backward compatibility for Switch games and GameCube classics available on the system, the developers confirmed that these games are emulated, much like Xbox does with backward compatibility.
Sasaki clarified, “It’s a bit of a difficult response, but taking into consideration it’s not just the hardware that’s being used to emulate, I guess you could categorize it as software-based.”
### Enhanced Bluetooth Connectivity
The new Joy-Cons connect to the Switch 2 via Bluetooth 3.0. When questions regarding the problems users faced with multiple Bluetooth devices on the original Switch arose, Sasaki confirmed, “Yes, it has improved.”
He pointed out that the system’s increased size and improved antennas make a noticeable difference in connectivity. With additional antennas and numerous tweaks, players should notice better performance.
### LCD Display Over OLED
The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD display with HDR support. Although the flagship version of the original Switch boasted an OLED screen, some figured this could be seen as a step back.
Sasaki addressed this by highlighting the advancements in LCD technology during development. Kawamoto added that although the OLED screen didn’t support HDR, this new LCD version does.
### Dual USB Type-C Ports
A question from CNET’s Scott Stein inquired if the top USB-C port on the Switch 2 could be used for external displays like Xreal glasses. Kawamoto responded that only the bottom port supports video out.
Concerning the glasses, Kawamoto noted, “So in terms of supporting the glasses, it’s not an official Nintendo product, so it’s hard to say.” Furthermore, the top port has been shown to work with the new Nintendo Switch 2 camera and also serves as a charging point in tabletop mode.
