The reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked widespread excitement, but Nintendo has kept quiet about its technical capabilities. While we've seen upgrades like new Joy-Cons, a redesigned kickstand, and a larger form factor, the true power of the console remains a mystery. However, indie developer Jerrel Dulay of Sungrand Studios believes that a brief glimpse at Mario Kart 9 during the reveal provides significant clues about the Switch 2's enhanced capabilities. Dulay, who has extensive experience with Nintendo hardware, including being one of the last developers to work on titles for the Wii U and 3DS, shared his insights in a recent YouTube video.
Mario Kart 9 - First Look
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Dulay analyzed the new Mario Kart footage, highlighting the use of "physically-based shaders" on cars and other textures. These shaders, affected by reflections and lighting, suggest a significant increase in graphical fidelity. In late 2023, Digital Foundry reported that the Switch 2 might feature the Nvidia T239 ARM mobile chip, boasting 1536 CUDA Cores—a 500% increase from the original Switch's Tegra X1 with 256 CUDA cores. This was further supported by leaks of the Switch 2’s motherboard, indicating an 8nm chip.
Dulay noted that the original Switch struggled with complex shaders, often leading to framerate drops. In contrast, the Mario Kart footage showcased additional material reflections and high-resolution ground textures, which require substantial RAM. The original Switch has 4GB of RAM, while the Switch 2 is rumored to have 12GB. Leaks suggest the use of SK Hynix LPDDR5 modules, potentially offering up to 12GB of RAM, with speeds that could reach 7500MHz—far surpassing the original Switch’s 1600MHz while docked. This increase in RAM speed and capacity could significantly enhance texture loading and overall graphical performance.
Dulay also pointed out the use of "true volumetric lighting" in the Mario Kart teaser, which is demanding for any GPU. He emphasized that the ability to run these effects at 60 frames per second indicates the Switch 2's substantial power. Volumetric lighting, along with distant shadows and high poly-count characters, showcases the console's potential. The real-time cloth physics on flagpoles further demonstrates the leap in power from the original Switch.
As we await more details and footage from the Nintendo Switch 2, Dulay's analysis offers a compelling glimpse into its graphical capabilities. Nintendo is set to reveal more in a dedicated Direct in April. For the latest updates, stay tuned to IGN's Switch 2 coverage.
