Nvidia DLSS will be indispensable for some games on the Switch 2.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will have a Full HD screen, and to achieve this resolution, the console will have to resort to upscaling technologies for newer games.
Why this is important: Despite faster hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2 will probably not be able to display many games natively in full HD resolution. This could cause disappointment for some gamers.
In detail: The Nintendo Switch 2 will rely on Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) upscaling technology in many games. Although the decision on whether to use upscaling is left to the development studios, we can draw some initial conclusions about future releases based on two games (Eurogamer has reported):
- Cyberpunk 2077 will use DLSS upscaling in all game modes. This means that the technology will always be used, regardless of performance or quality mode, or whether you play Cyberpunk 2077 in handheld or docked mode. The internal resolution of 720p will be achieved in performance mode via upscaling.
- Street Fighter 6 will only be rendered internally at 540p. The resolution will be increased to 1080p using upscaling technology, presumably DLSS.
What this could mean for the future: Developer studios that need more performance for their games will probably have to rely on DLSS or other upscaling technologies if they want their games to run properly on the Nintendo Switch 2. However, this does not necessarily have to be a bad thing.
- The image quality of DLSS is very high and comes very close to the native display in many games. Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6 made a very good visual impression when we first played them. You can read about this in our hands-on review of the Nintendo Switch 2.
- DLSS provides developers with a tool that they can use, but don’t have to.
- By calculating in a lower resolution, the energy consumption of games can be reduced. This allows the Switch 2’s battery to last longer when playing games than when a game has to be calculated in native resolution.
The actual quality of DLSS implementation on the Nintendo Switch 2 will only become apparent in June when the console is released.
What do you think? Do you think it’s a problem that some games have to rely on DLSS to be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2? Let us know in the comments!
