Nvidia Reveals AI and Ray Tracing Capabilities for Nintendo Switch 2 SoC, Keeps Detailed Specs Under Wraps

During the big reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 yesterday, Nintendo kept mum on specifics about the chip inside the new console. Soon after, Nvidia shed some light in a blog post, offering insights without giving away every detail.

At a developer roundtable, Switch 2’s technical director, Tetsuya Sasaki, remarked, “We’re not about sharing intricate hardware specs; our aim is to focus on what delivers the most value to our consumers.” Nvidia echoed this approach, holding back on specifics like core counts and speeds, but teased that their new chip brings “ten times the graphics performance compared to the original Nintendo Switch.”

Delving into the tech, Nvidia’s RT cores are responsible for enhanced graphics features like hardware ray tracing and sophisticated lighting, while the tensor cores handle DLSS upscaling. This tech is suspected to boost the console’s capability to deliver up to 4K performance when docked and maintain smooth gameplay at up to 120 frames per second in handheld mode.

Another intriguing detail from Nvidia is that the tensor cores enhance functionalities like face tracking and AI-driven background removal – features demonstrated in new social tools like GameChat and in games we tried out, including Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. However, it’s unclear how this compares to Nvidia’s Broadcast technology available on PC.

Furthermore, Nvidia confirmed the handheld’s new variable refresh rate (VRR) display benefits from G-Sync technology, promising a smoother gaming experience free from screen tearing.

The original Nintendo Switch also featured a custom Nvidia chip, the Tegra X1, from which Nintendo extracted impressive performance that kept the console relevant for years. It’s exciting to imagine what possibilities lie in store with the new advancements.

Anticipation is building, and developers are eager to see what they can accomplish with this new chip when the Switch 2 officially hits the market on June 5, priced at $449.99.