The gaming world is buzzing with anticipation for Nintendo's next-generation console, the tentatively named "Switch 2." While official details are still under wraps, a new technical deep dive has shed light on a powerful and flexible feature set that could redefine portable gaming. According to a comprehensive analysis, the upcoming console will reportedly support not just one, but two distinct versions of NVIDIA's cutting-edge AI upscaling technology, DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling).
This revelation points to a sophisticated strategy by Nintendo and its hardware partner, NVIDIA, to maximize the hybrid console's performance, giving developers crucial tools to balance visual fidelity and smooth gameplay.
A Tale of Two DLSS Modes: Power vs. Performance
The new findings come from a detailed Digital Foundry breakdown by renowned tech analyst Alex Battaglia. By examining early development builds of games running on Switch 2 hardware, Battaglia identified two separate DLSS implementations working in tandem.
- The Full-Fat DLSS Model: The first mode functions almost identically to the DLSS found on high-end gaming PCs. This is the full, feature-rich version, offering significant improvements in image stability. According to the analysis, this model provides superior anti-aliasing during fast motion, cleaner transitions during camera cuts, and a more stable overall image. However, this power comes at a cost. Currently, this robust DLSS mode is reportedly only being utilized in games that upscale to 1080p resolution, a clear indicator of its higher processing demands on the console's mobile-oriented chipset.
- "DLSS Light": The Lean, Mean, Upscaling Machine: The second variant has been informally dubbed "DLSS Light." This is a leaner, more performance-focused implementation designed specifically to cater to the Switch 2's hardware limitations and battery life concerns. It excels at producing a sharp, clean image in static scenes and is capable of upscaling well past 1080p resolution. The trade-off becomes apparent during motion, where it temporarily disables certain reconstruction techniques to save on performance, sometimes revealing raw, unfiltered pixels. The payoff, however, is substantial: this lighter version reportedly consumes about half the frame-time cost of the full model.
For a visual and in-depth explanation of these findings, check out the full Digital Foundry analysis right here:
Digital Foundry's Alex Battaglia breaks down the Switch 2's DLSS technology
Developer Confirmation and Strategic Implications
To validate his observations, Battaglia reached out to a developer familiar with the Switch 2's development environment, who confirmed the existence of both DLSS presets. This insight is crucial, as it suggests that the console's GPU is designed to work with multiple DLSS configurations seamlessly.
This dual-mode system empowers developers with a significant choice. For a graphically intense, story-driven game, a developer might prioritize image stability and use the full DLSS model to lock in a rock-solid 1080p experience. Conversely, for a fast-paced competitive game or a title targeting a higher docked resolution, a developer could opt for "DLSS Light" to ensure a high frame rate while still benefiting from AI-powered upscaling.
A New Benchmark for Portable Power
The integration of any form of DLSS would be a milestone, but having two tailored versions positions the Switch 2 as a potential powerhouse in the handheld space. It will be the first handheld gaming system ever to natively support NVIDIA's AI upscaling technology, marking a generational leap in how portable hardware can handle modern, demanding visuals.
So far, reports indicate that only third-party studios have been leveraging DLSS on the dev kits, likely because Nintendo's own internal engines have not yet fully implemented the technology. This suggests that the most significant graphical showcases may still be on the horizon. Once first-party titans like the next Legend of Zelda or Metroid are tuned specifically for this hardware, the results could set a completely new benchmark for what is possible on a portable console.
Whether "DLSS Light" becomes the standard for most Switch 2 games or remains a specialized tool for specific performance targets remains to be seen. But one thing is crystal clear: by offering this flexible, two-pronged approach to AI upscaling, Nintendo and NVIDIA are not just keeping up with the times—they are crafting a uniquely adaptable platform poised to make waves in the next generation of gaming.