As teased by Nintendo, Nvidia has finally shed some light on the custom GPU powering the Nintendo Switch 2, though the details provided were not as in-depth as tech enthusiasts might have hoped. In a recent blog post, Nvidia confirmed the findings reported by IGN earlier that day from Nintendo itself: the GPU is equipped with capabilities for AI upscaling via DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and ray tracing.

Nvidia's DLSS technology harnesses AI to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, enhancing both performance and visual quality in games. The company described the Switch 2's GPU as a "custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements." Nvidia highlighted the extensive effort behind the Switch 2, stating, "With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element — from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs, and world-class development tools — the Nintendo Switch 2 brings major upgrades."

These upgrades include support for up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. The Switch 2 also supports HDR and utilizes AI upscaling to enhance visuals and gameplay smoothness. Nvidia's new RT Cores enable real-time ray tracing, providing "lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows for more immersive worlds." Meanwhile, the Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like DLSS, improving resolution for sharper details without compromising image quality.

Nvidia also mentioned that the Tensor Cores facilitate AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat scenarios, enhancing social gaming and streaming experiences. During the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo introduced the C button, which integrates new chat functionality using an external camera and the built-in microphone of the Switch 2. The technology is designed to focus on the player's voice while filtering out background noise.

Nvidia boldly claimed that the Nintendo Switch 2 offers "10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch," promising smoother gameplay and sharper visuals. However, the specifics of how this performance is measured were not disclosed, leaving it to experts like Digital Foundry to analyze once the Switch 2 launches in June.

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Nvidia further noted that the Tensor Cores enhance AI-powered graphics while maintaining efficient power consumption, and the RT Cores contribute to in-game realism with dynamic lighting and natural reflections. The Switch 2 also features Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) via Nvidia G-SYNC in handheld mode, ensuring ultra-smooth, tear-free gameplay.

In a hardware-focused Q&A session in New York, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives confirmed the use of DLSS in the Switch 2 but remained vague about the specific version or any customizations made for the Switch 2. Similarly, they confirmed the GPU's ray tracing capabilities without diving into the details. Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager at Nintendo’s Technology Development Division, emphasized that Nintendo prefers to focus on the value provided to consumers rather than detailed hardware specs, suggesting that Nvidia would share more information.

In January, a patent filed in July 2023 and published earlier this year surfaced online, describing AI image upscaling technology that would help maintain small video game download sizes suitable for physical game cartridges while providing up to 4K textures.

For more information, explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and learn what the experts have to say about the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World’s $80 price tag.