Nintendo Switch 2’s unique SoC is “unlike anything” Nvidia has ever made, claims CEO

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The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is nearly here, but Nintendo has been secretive about many details concerning its hardware. Although various leaks have disclosed some specifications for the console’s custom Nvidia T239 SoC, neither Nintendo nor Nvidia have offered much insight into the core chip that powers the device.

In a unique video message on the official Nintendo YouTube channel, delivered in a voice reminiscent of a Creator’s, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared that the hardware within the new console is unlike anything they have produced before. Previously, Nvidia provided the downclocked Tegra X1 chip for the initial handheld device, but their work on its successor has delved much deeper.

Nintendo Switch 2 is powerful enough for big cinematic games

In the video, it was shared by Huang that the original vision for the Nintendo Switch was to design a console capable of running large cinematic games, yet compact enough to be carried anywhere. This ambition was initially held by the late Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata.

According to Huang, Nintendo and Nvidia aimed to create a new console that extends the original concept by constructing unique hardware specifically for portable gaming. The CEO clarified that the custom chip they developed is “something entirely novel,” packing DLSS, ray-tracing, and high-performance capabilities into a compact handheld chip.

The Nvidia executive also stated that the new System on Chip at the heart of Nintendo’s imminent handheld device is nothing short of amazing. What’s more, the console’s ability to incorporate Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and ray-tracing technology is truly awe-inspiring. However, what makes it even more remarkable is that it manages to maintain a high level of backward compatibility – meaning it can work with older games as well.

Previously, Nintendo clarified that games such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza couldn’t be developed on the initial Nintendo Switch. Yet, the third-party backing for the latest handheld device is particularly remarkable.

Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and others that were previously unplayable on the last-generation handheld are now playable on the new system, and some titles even offer improved visual quality compared to Xbox Series S. Although Xbox’s budget current-gen console, the Series S, has a faster CPU for smoother 60fps gaming experiences, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is holding its own in this competitive landscape.

On the other hand, there’s a growing apprehension that the size of pre-launch games might be excessive for the new handheld device. Already, Ubisoft’s demo of the Star Wars Outlaws port on the new platform has revealed notable performance problems.

Despite the original Nintendo Switch boasting impressive ports of games such as DOOM Eternal and The Witcher 3, it’s reasonable to assume that its successor will continue this trend. Given that The Witcher 4 aims for a 60fps performance on base PlayStation 5, there’s a strong possibility that a 30fps version might be available on the Switch 2.

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2025-06-03 18:43