Nintendo has been somewhat secretive about the full details of the Nintendo Switch 2’s CPU and GPU on its specifications page, simply describing them as a “custom processor made by NVIDIA.” However, during a developer roundtable featuring several key figures behind the Switch 2, we managed to glean a bit more insight into the hardware and how it benefits game developers.
At the event, executives Kouichi Kawamoto, Tetsuya Sasaki, and Takuhiro Dohta fielded questions from the press, translated by Raymond Elliget. Sasaki noted that Nintendo doesn’t typically delve deeply into hardware specs with the public, preferring to focus on the experience they offer to players. Yet, they did share some intriguing bits of information that shed light on the new system’s capabilities.
Among the notable revelations was the confirmation that partnering with NVIDIA allows the Switch 2 to utilize DLSS upscaling technology. Dohta explained that while the console can output up to 4K on a TV, software developers have the flexibility to choose how they achieve that resolution, whether natively or through upscaling, which provides a lot of creative options.
Furthermore, the Switch 2 also supports hardware ray tracing, broadening the toolkit available to developers who wish to include it in their games.
Battery life was another topic of discussion. Nintendo states the Switch 2’s battery is approximately 5220 mAh, claiming it can last between 2 and 6.5 hours. However, Sasaki highlighted that this estimate could vary greatly depending on the games played and the console’s usage. Dohta echoed this by pointing out that the new features, such as GameChat, contribute to the variability in battery performance compared to the original Switch.
As for backward compatibility, the Switch 2 uses emulation for running games from the original Switch and GameCube classics. This approach is similar to how Xbox handles backward compatibility, with Sasaki describing it as more of a software-based solution rather than just relying on hardware.
Improving upon some of the original Switch’s limitations, the new Joy-Cons now connect using Bluetooth 3.0. Sasaki assured that the technology underpinning these connections has been upgraded. The enhanced system size, boosted antenna count, and additional adjustments promise better connectivity for multiple devices.
On the display front, the Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD with HDR support. Although some may feel this is a step back from the OLED screens of earlier models, Sasaki indicated that substantial advancements in LCD technology influenced their decision. Kawamoto further pointed out the new screen includes HDR, which wasn’t available on the previous OLED version.
Lastly, when discussing the Switch 2’s dual USB Type-C ports, Kawamoto clarified that only the bottom port supports video output. While this port can handle external displays, such as certain glasses, Nintendo hasn’t officially endorsed any specific third-party devices. The top USB-C port, meanwhile, is versatile—it can be used with the new Switch 2 camera and also supports charging when the console is in tabletop mode.
