Switch 2 will perform at PS4-level graphics, analysts claim

Digital Foundry claims that the next console from Nintendo may be able to contend with last-generation hardware, utilizing modern techniques such as DLSS.

In what could signal a positive change for Nintendo, their upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is said to boost performance to PlayStation 4 levels, which Digital Foundry remarked on in a recent analysis. This is a major step forward from the existing Switch, which is often regarded as performing somewhere near PS3 or early PS4 games when docked.

Through NVIDIA powered hardware

The rest of the analysts believe that the Switch 2 will utilize a custom NVIDIA chip, reportedly the Tegra T239, which is a more modern SoC that offers better performance in terms of graphics and power efficiency. While still designed for a portable hybrid console, this SoC is expected to integrate DLSS and even some elementary ray tracing capabilities.

With DLSS, the older Nintendo hardware would be able to run games at a lower resolution and then scale them up to higher outputs like 1080p or even 4K, something that would help the console perform far better than any other previous Nintendo hardware.

Digital Foundry: On Par with PS4

Richard Leadbetter, from Digital Foundry, suggested in a recent conversation that Switch 2 performance would sit “somewhere near the base PS4 and Xbox One,” but, because of its newer architecture, it may be able to surpass benchmarks in certain scenarios.

Analysis from the other side of the table, from John Linneman, pointed out that while the console may not be the best current-gen system like the PS5 or Xbox Series X, it is likely to outclass the PS4 Pro in some use cases, especially with the help of DLSS and modern rendering techniques. This could enable the Switch 2 to be far more competent than its form factor suggests.

Real-world impact: New titles and backward compatibility

Early speculation indicates that the same console could ‘showcase’ its capabilities through demanding titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Death Stranding, and even Cyberpunk 2077. Reports suggest development kits are out, with some devs already working with the new system’s optimizations.

The new Switch is also likely to be backward-compatible with the current Switch library, meaning that gamers can enjoy smoother frame rates, sharper visuals, and other enhancements, similar to trends observed in other next-gen consoles.

Still officially under wraps

Currently, there is no official acknowledgement from Nintendo regarding the specifications of Switch 2. The rumors claim there will be a Nintendo Direct presentation in April 2025 where Nintendo’s next console will finally be showcased.

According to some analysts, it seems like Nintendo’s next hybrid system will finally achieve the balance between portable gaming devices and console-level graphics. This is sure to be an innovation in the handheld gaming device market once again.

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