On the Nintendo Switch 2’s official specs page, the CPU and GPU are vaguely described as a “Custom processor made by NVIDIA.” However, when I had the chance to sit in on a developer roundtable with some of the minds behind the new Switch iteration, I got a glimpse of what the console’s hardware might bring to the gaming scene.
The session was led by producer Kouichi Kawamoto, technical director Tetsuya Sasaki, and director Takuhiro Dohta, all fielding questions with the help of interpreter Raymond Elliget. When the conversation turned towards the console’s hardware, Sasaki made it clear that, “Nintendo doesn’t like to share too much on the hardware specs.” Instead, he emphasized their commitment to delivering great value to consumers. But, some intriguing insights were still shared, hinting at what gamers can look forward to.
For starters, the use of Nvidia tech means the Switch 2 will utilize their DLSS technology. Dohta confirmed this, explaining how this tech is available as a tool for developers, allowing them to potentially upscale to a 4K output on TV screens. “The choice is in the developers’ hands,” he elaborated, “whether to go native 4K or upscale from a lower resolution, giving them more options.” Alongside DLSS, Dohta also confirmed that the chip in the Switch 2 supports hardware ray tracing, providing yet another resource for development teams.
Battery life, often a sticking point for portable consoles, is estimated to range from 2 to 6.5 hours on a full charge, according to Nintendo’s official listing. However, the developers were cautious about pinning down an exact duration, noting the variability depending on the game’s demands and usage conditions. Dohta noted that the Switch 2’s increased complexity, with features like GameChat, makes direct comparisons to the original Switch’s battery life tricky.
Backward compatibility was another hot topic, particularly regarding original Switch titles and GameCube classics. The team revealed that these older games are being emulated—similar to Xbox’s approach to backward compatibility—which means it’s more of a software-driven solution, according to Sasaki.
Connectivity seems to have received a boost as well, with the new Joy-Cons using Bluetooth 3.0. Asked about overcoming the original Switch’s connectivity issues, especially with multiple devices, Sasaki assured improvements: “Yes, it has improved.” He also mentioned that the system’s larger antennas should enhance connection stability significantly.
Interestingly, despite a previous premium OLED model, the Switch 2 opts for a 7.9-inch LCD display with HDR support. Some might see this as a step back, but Sasaki pointed out advancements made in LCD tech during development. Additionally, Kawamoto mentioned the OLED model lacked HDR, which the new LCD screen now features, offering a different kind of update.
Lastly, when questioned about USB Type-C ports—specifically if the top port could be used for external displays like Xreal glasses—Kawamoto clarified that only the bottom port supports video-out. The top port, however, has been shown working with the Switch 2’s camera and, more practically, serves as a charging point when using the system in tabletop mode.
