Nintendo enthusiasts have something to look forward to with the potential arrival of the Switch 2 console. It seems it might come packing Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology, offering the possibility to play games with crisp, high-resolution visuals. This update could also pave the way for easier integration of third-party games onto the platform. For those eagerly awaiting official news, Nintendo is predicted to unveil its new console, the successor to the original Switch, by March 2025.
Nintendo recently filed a patent that hints at its next-generation console supporting Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling—an exciting piece of tech that could dramatically enhance game graphics. As the original Switch approaches the twilight of its lifecycle, gamers are buzzing with anticipation over its imminent successor, which is expected to be officially announced in 2025. Although Nintendo has been mum on the specifics, the noise surrounding the Switch 2 is growing louder by the day.
Speculation and whispers about the new console abound, some more credible than others. Among the more consistent rumors is that the Switch 2 will leverage AI upscaling, specifically Nvidia’s DLSS. This could enable the console to render games at impressive resolutions. Reports from Gamescom suggest that the Switch 2 was able to run The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine tech demo using this technology, achieving a graphical quality likened to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, thanks to Nvidia’s sophisticated upscaling technique.
According to a new patent, the plan for Nintendo’s Switch 2 does include utilizing DLSS-style upscaling. Gaming journalist Laura Kate Dale shared insights from the patent on BlueSky, which mentions a potential reduction in overall game sizes to accommodate smaller physical media, such as the Switch cartridges. By condensing 4K textures, which might typically require a hefty 60 GB download, to a more manageable 20 GB for a native 1080p version, the games could fit onto a cartridge and still achieve 4K upscaling on-the-fly through the console’s hardware.
The advantages of such upscaling extend beyond Nintendo’s own titles. Dale suggests that this could streamline the process for developers wishing to port third-party games to the Switch 2. By leveraging 4K versions of their games, developers could help the console learn and enhance graphics quality when the games are adapted to run on the Switch’s potentially lower native resolution.
By late 2024, images and details about the Switch 2 were already leaking online, prompting varied reactions from the community. While some dismissed these as AI-generated, others took a deeper look and found surprising elements of truth. Despite the speculation, fans of the franchise will have to wait until later this year for official confirmation from Nintendo regarding its next big release.
In summary, the Nintendo Switch has come a long way since its launch in 2017 as a hybrid console that could be played both portably and on a TV. With handheld variations like the Switch Lite and the OLED model refresh, the console’s evolution continues, and the gaming world is eager to see how the Switch 2 will raise the bar.
