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

At the recent big reveal for Nintendo’s upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, all eyes were on the impressive unveiling. However, Nintendo’s hardware team remained mum about the specifics of the chip that’s driving the new console. Nvidia, the brains behind the customized processor, has shed a bit of light on the matter through a blog update.

During a developer discussion, Tetsuya Sasaki, the technical director for Switch 2, made it clear that Nintendo likes to play their cards close to the chest when it comes to hardware specifics. “We’re more focused on the kind of value we bring to our users,” Sasaki explained.

Taking a page from Nintendo, Nvidia is staying tight-lipped about details like core counts and speeds. Nonetheless, the company boasts that the new chip delivers “10 times the graphics performance” compared to its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch.

Nvidia’s inclusion of RT cores introduces capabilities for hardware-driven ray tracing, enhancing lighting and reflections, while tensor cores handle DLSS upscaling. This technology is pivotal in pushing the system’s performance to the max, targeting up to 4K resolution when docked, and up to 120 frames per second in handheld mode.

Additionally, Nvidia confirmed the engineering behind the advanced face tracking and background removal powered by AI. These features were demonstrated in the new social GameChat function and hands-on Switch 2 games like the Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. It remains a mystery whether this employs tech similar to Nvidia Broadcast on PC.

Furthermore, Nvidia revealed that the Switch 2’s brand-new variable refresh rate display, which aims to eliminate screen tearing, is fueled by G-Sync when used in handheld mode.

Nvidia was also behind the original Nintendo Switch, which ran on a modified version of the Tegra X1. Despite its age, Nintendo has squeezed remarkable performance out of that chip, with new games still releasing eight years on.

As we look forward to the Switch 2 hitting the shelves, priced at $449.99 on June 5, it’ll be interesting to see just how much developers can extract from this new powerhouse chip.