Nvidia Confirms AI and Ray Tracing Features for Nintendo Switch 2 SoC, Holds Back on Full Specs for Now

Nintendo certainly stole the spotlight with the big reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 recently, yet there was a noticeable hush from their hardware team regarding the chip that’s driving this new console. Fortunately, Nvidia, the brains behind this custom chip, has stepped up to offer some insights in a playful blog post.

According to Tetsuya Sasaki, the Switch 2’s technical director, during a casual discussion with developers, Nintendo is staying mum on the hardware specifics. “We’re more into showcasing the benefits we bring to our users,” he quipped.

In the same spirit of mystery, Nvidia isn’t spilling the beans on the nitty-gritty—like core counts and clock speeds—but they assure us that this next-gen chip delivers graphics performance that’s tenfold compared to the original Switch.

The inclusion of Nvidia’s RT cores sets the stage for impressive feats like ray tracing, alongside lighting effects and reflections. Then you’ve got the tensor cores that fire up DLSS upscaling, which is probably being harnessed to reach 4K when docked, and smoothly hitting up to 120 frames per second in handheld use.

What’s more, Nvidia clarified that their tensor cores enable some neat tricks like face tracking and AI-powered background removal. This was demonstrated with the fresh GameChat feature and some of the Switch 2 titles we played, including Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. Whether it’s tapping into Nvidia Broadcast tech from PCs remains a mystery.

Switch 2 will also benefit from a new variable refresh rate (VRR) display, courtesy of G-Sync tech in handheld mode, which is a blessing for anyone who hates screen tearing.

Looking back, Nvidia was the architect behind the original Nintendo Switch’s custom Tegra X1 chip. Despite its age at launch, it spawned an enduring legacy, powering games well into its eighth year.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 slated to hit shelves on June 5, priced at $449.99, we’re eager to find out how developers will push the limits of this upgraded chip. Stay tuned!