The Nintendo Switch 2 is going to feature NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) to improve gaming performance. Still, the system’s hardware will likely struggle to achieve high resolutions such as 4K docked or 1080p handheld.
DLSS: The Backbone of Nintendo Switch 2 Graphics
Digital Foundry, one of the leading tech analysis groups, recently discussed the potential performance of the Nintendo Switch 2 on their podcast. In response to a fan query about resolution output, the experts said that DLSS will be a cornerstone of the console’s visual capabilities. It’s not expected to compete in the same ballpark as current-generation gaming systems like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, considering the system is expected to use a mobile chip, so instead it will use DLSS to upscale visuals efficiently.
But DLSS is a power-hungry technology, so it’s not always going to hit those lofty resolutions. For handheld gaming, the tech will likely aim for 720p or 900p. Ports of older titles-say, from the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One era-could reach 900p to 1080p in handheld mode and up to 1440p when docked.
Struggles with Demanding Games
In the case of more graphically intensive modern games, some limitations are likely to present themselves with the Nintendo Switch 2. Here, developers will have to make a careful balance between the output resolution and visual quality. Output resolutions may drop off as low as 720p for handheld mode and not exceed 1440p in most third-party games when in docked mode.
Nintendo’s first-party titles may adopt this approach, though. These titles may provide far less complex game content, ensuring developers keep costs low to help achieve higher resolutions, sticking to the performance thresholds many Nintendo fans have been bred to expect. That historical approach would also explain some of Nintendo’s longstanding neglect in terms of graphical innovation while developing
games.
Unreal Engine 5 Challenges
One area where the Nintendo Switch 2 might struggle significantly is with games developed on Unreal Engine 5. Features such as Lumen, which offer more realistic lighting, can be noisy and rough at low resolution. Developers may use higher internal rendering resolutions at the expense of output resolution or adjust other visual settings to keep the game playable. Despite these compromises, the small screen size of the Switch 2 could help mask these issues, making the games look acceptable in handheld mode.
Optimized DLSS for Nintendo Switch 2
A game-changer for Nintendo Switch 2 would be an optimized version of DLSS, fit for its hardware. This would not be unprecedented; Hello Games implemented a lightweight version of AMD’s FSR 2 technology on the Switch port of No Man’s Sky. If NVIDIA creates a similar solution, the Switch 2 could achieve improved performance while minimizing the compromises associated with traditional DLSS.
Awaiting the Official Reveal
While Nintendo hasn’t yet officially announced the Switch 2, the industry speculation just keeps on coming. The reliance on DLSS and the constraints of the hardware point toward innovation and cost-effectiveness over raw power for the console. Gamers are awaiting an official announcement to know the extent of what the next-generation Switch can deliver.