Nvidia confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 has DLSS and real-time ray tracing - The Verge

Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/642793/nintendo-switch-2-dlss-support-nvidia-ray-tracing

Sentiment: The sentiment is overwhelmingly **positive**. The headline explicitly uses phrases like "game-changing leap" and the body mentions the gaming world "buzzing," all indicating excitement and enthusiasm for the news. The confirmation of advanced features like DLSS and ray tracing further contributes to the positive sentiment.

Summary

Nvidia indirectly confirmed that the next Nintendo Switch will leverage DLSS and real-time ray tracing. This is a huge leap for portable gaming, addressing the graphical limitations of the current Switch. DLSS uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images, boosting performance and visual quality. Ray tracing creates realistic lighting and reflections. This tech could attract AAA developers, improve the Switch's competitive edge, and extend its lifespan. While official details are scarce, expect a custom Nvidia chip, improved display, and potentially backwards compatibility. This partnership signals Nintendo's commitment to pushing portable gaming boundaries, promising a revolutionary experience.

Full Article

## Nvidia Confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 Will Leverage DLSS and Real-Time Ray Tracing: A Game-Changing Leap for Portable Gaming

The gaming world is buzzing. After years of speculation and hushed whispers, **Nvidia confirms** that the next-generation **Nintendo Switch**, often referred to as the **Switch 2** in rumour mills, will indeed harness the power of **DLSS** (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and real-time ray tracing. This represents a monumental leap forward for portable gaming, promising visuals and performance previously thought impossible on a handheld device. This confirmation, albeit indirectly via a leaked Nvidia document and further industry insights, is sending shockwaves through the community and redefining expectations for the future of **Nintendo**.

**Why This is Huge News:**

The current **Nintendo Switch**, while incredibly popular and innovative in its hybrid console design, has always been somewhat limited by its aging hardware. Its graphical capabilities, while sufficient for many titles, pale in comparison to modern consoles and PC gaming rigs. This gap has resulted in compromises for developers porting demanding games, often requiring significant downgrades in resolution, texture quality, and frame rates.

The integration of **Nvidia's DLSS** and ray tracing technology into the **Switch 2** promises to dramatically bridge this gap, offering a significantly enhanced gaming experience without sacrificing the portability that defines the **Switch** brand. This announcement is not just about prettier graphics; it's about opening up a whole new world of gaming possibilities for **Nintendo's** handheld platform.

**DLSS: The Magic Behind the Performance Boost**

So, what exactly is **DLSS** and why is it so crucial for the **Nintendo Switch 2**? Deep Learning Super Sampling is an **Nvidia** technology that uses artificial intelligence to render games at a lower resolution internally, then upscale the image to a higher resolution, resulting in a visually stunning and sharp image with significantly improved performance.

Think of it like this: Instead of forcing the hardware to render every pixel at a high resolution from the start, **DLSS** intelligently fills in the gaps, creating a visually comparable (and often superior) image with a fraction of the processing power. This allows the **Switch 2** to achieve higher frame rates and more detailed graphics without pushing its hardware to the breaking point.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits **DLSS** brings to the **Nintendo Switch 2**:

* **Increased Frame Rates:** By rendering at a lower resolution and upscaling, **DLSS** frees up processing power, allowing for smoother and more responsive gameplay, especially in graphically intensive titles.

* **Higher Resolution Gaming:** Enjoy games in crisper and more detailed resolutions, bringing a new level of visual fidelity to the **Switch** experience.

* **Improved Visual Quality:** In many cases, **DLSS** can actually improve visual quality compared to native rendering at the target resolution, thanks to its advanced AI algorithms.

* **Extended Battery Life:** By reducing the processing load, **DLSS** can contribute to improved battery life, allowing for longer gaming sessions on the go.

For a console known for its portability, extended battery life alongside improved performance is a game-changer. The ability to play demanding titles like *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* or future AAA releases at higher resolutions and frame rates, all while preserving battery life, will be a major selling point for the **Switch 2**.

**Ray Tracing: Illuminating the Future of Switch Gaming**

While **DLSS** focuses on performance, real-time ray tracing brings a whole new level of realism to the visual experience. Ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates the way light behaves in the real world, creating more realistic reflections, shadows, and overall lighting effects.

Imagine exploring Hyrule in *The Legend of Zelda* with sunlight realistically reflecting off of Link's shield, or the dark corners of a Metroidvania game filled with ominous shadows cast by flickering lights. Ray tracing can transform the visual experience, adding depth, atmosphere, and a sense of immersion that was previously unattainable on the **Nintendo Switch**.

Here's what ray tracing brings to the table:

* **Realistic Lighting and Shadows:** Experience lighting that accurately simulates how light interacts with objects in the environment, creating more believable and immersive scenes.

* **Enhanced Reflections:** See realistic reflections on surfaces like water, metal, and glass, adding depth and realism to the visuals.

* **Improved Global Illumination:** Ray tracing can simulate how light bounces and scatters throughout a scene, creating more natural and realistic lighting effects.

While implementing full ray tracing can be computationally demanding, **Nvidia's** expertise in this area, combined with their optimized implementation for mobile platforms, suggests that the **Switch 2** will be able to deliver a visually stunning experience that rivals even some current-generation consoles.

**The Impact on Nintendo's Future**

The **Nintendo Switch** revolutionized the gaming landscape with its hybrid console design. The **Switch 2**, equipped with **Nvidia's DLSS** and ray tracing, has the potential to redefine expectations once again.

Here's how this technology infusion could impact **Nintendo's** future:

* **Attracting AAA Developers:** The enhanced performance and visual capabilities will make the **Switch 2** a more attractive platform for AAA developers, allowing for more ambitious and graphically demanding games to be ported and developed specifically for the console. This could lead to a wider variety of games available on the platform, appealing to a broader audience.

* **Competitive Edge:** By offering visuals and performance that rival other handheld consoles and even compete with some home consoles, the **Switch 2** will solidify **Nintendo's** position as a leader in the gaming industry.

* **Innovation and Experimentation:** The powerful hardware will empower developers to push the boundaries of game design and create innovative experiences that were previously impossible on the **Switch**.

* **Extended Lifespan:** The enhanced performance capabilities will likely extend the lifespan of the **Switch** platform, allowing **Nintendo** to support the console with new games and features for years to come.

**What We Know (and Don't Know) About the Switch 2**

While **Nvidia confirms** the presence of **DLSS** and ray tracing, official details about the **Nintendo Switch 2** remain scarce. However, based on leaks, rumours, and industry speculation, here's what we can reasonably expect:

* **Custom Nvidia Chip:** The **Switch 2** will likely be powered by a custom **Nvidia** Tegra-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) specifically designed for the console's unique needs.

* **Improved Display:** A higher resolution display with potentially an OLED panel is widely expected, providing a sharper and more vibrant visual experience.

* **Larger Internal Storage:** Increased internal storage will be crucial for accommodating larger game files and downloadable content.

* **Backwards Compatibility:** While not officially confirmed, backwards compatibility with existing **Switch** games is highly anticipated and would be a major selling point.

* **Enhanced Docking Capabilities:** An improved dock with enhanced output resolution and performance could further bridge the gap between handheld and home console gaming.

**The Importance of Nvidia's Confirmation**

The indirect **Nvidia confirms** of **DLSS** and ray tracing in the **Nintendo Switch 2** is a significant moment for both companies. It signals a strong partnership and highlights **Nvidia's** commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology to the handheld gaming market. For **Nintendo**, it represents a bold step towards the future, embracing advanced technologies to deliver a truly next-generation gaming experience.

The inclusion of **DLSS** alone is a monumental leap, but the addition of ray tracing pushes the **Switch 2** into uncharted territory for portable gaming. It promises a visual fidelity and level of immersion that was previously unimaginable on a handheld device.

**Conclusion: A Bright Future for Nintendo and Portable Gaming**

The **Nvidia confirms** of **DLSS** and ray tracing for the **Nintendo Switch 2** is more than just a spec sheet detail; it's a statement of intent. **Nintendo** is clearly committed to pushing the boundaries of portable gaming and delivering an experience that rivals the best that consoles and PCs have to offer.

With the power of **Nvidia's** technology behind it, the **Switch 2** has the potential to be a game-changer, attracting new players, delighting existing fans, and redefining the future of handheld gaming. The combination of portability, innovative gameplay, and now, cutting-edge graphics, makes the **Switch 2** a highly anticipated and potentially revolutionary device. The gaming world waits with bated breath to see what **Nintendo** unveils and how they will leverage this incredible technology to create unforgettable gaming experiences. The future looks bright for both **Nintendo** and the world of portable gaming.