Nintendo Switch 2 Features Two NVIDIA DLSS Variants, Including a “Light” Version for Upscaling Beyond 1080p

NVIDIA DLSS on Nintendo Switch 2: A Comprehensive Overview

The newly launched Nintendo Switch 2 introduces exciting enhancements, including two variants of NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS).A much-anticipated feature in the gaming community, the “light”upscaler promises to improve visual performance significantly.

Insights from Digital Foundry’s Analysis

A recent analysis by Alex Battaglia from Digital Foundry explores the integration of NVIDIA DLSS in various games designed for the Nintendo Switch 2. Titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6, Hogwarts Legacy, Star Wars Outlaws, The Touryst, and Fast Fusion were scrutinized to illustrate how the upscaling technology enhances game performance.

Understanding the Two Types of NVIDIA DLSS

Nintendo Switch 2 utilizes two distinct types of NVIDIA DLSS:

CNN-based Model: This version mimics the model available on PC, delivering competitive image resolution coupled with anti-aliasing during fast movements and camera shifts. This technology is currently deployed in games that upscale resolutions specifically to 1080p.
Light Version: Speculated for some time, this variant provides crisper image clarity in still frames but may deactivate during movement and camera transitions, displaying unrefined disoccluded pixels instead. It’s compatible with both 1080p and higher resolutions, making it a viable option despite its limitations in dynamic scenarios.

The noticeable performance costs associated with the full CNN variant are expected, particularly at resolutions exceeding 1080p. This limitation arises due to the hardware specifications of the Switch 2.

Developer Confirmation and Future Potential

To further validate these findings, Battaglia consulted a recognized game developer, affirming the availability of both DLSS types along with various presets on the Switch 2. The lighter version represents a newer approach, boasting a frame-time cost that is half that of its CNN-like counterpart, positioning it effectively for resolutions beyond 1080p, albeit with performance trade-offs during motion.

Historical Context and Future Implications

As the first portable device to incorporate NVIDIA DLSS, the Nintendo Switch 2 showcases how this technology can be tailored to fit specific hardware capabilities. While third-party games have predominantly leveraged this upscaling feature, the real excitement lies in anticipating how Nintendo’s future first-party titles will adapt DLSS, pushing the system’s performance beyond current expectations.