The recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked widespread excitement, yet Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about its new console's technical capabilities. Despite the introduction of updated features like new Joy-Cons, a revamped kickstand, and a larger form factor, the exact power of the Switch 2 remains a mystery. However, a brief look at Mario Kart 9 in the reveal video has caught the attention of the gaming community, particularly indie developer Jerrel Dulay from Sungrand Studios.
Mario Kart 9 - First Look
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Dulay, an expert in developing games for Nintendo's platforms, including the Wii U and 3DS, analyzed the new Mario Kart footage showcased in the Switch 2 trailer. He highlighted the use of "physically-based shaders" on cars and other textures, which allow for advanced visual effects influenced by reflections and lighting.
In a detailed report from late 2023, Digital Foundry speculated that the Switch 2 might be equipped with the Nvidia T239 ARM mobile chip. This chip, with its 1536 CUDA Cores, represents a significant upgrade from the original Switch's Tegra X1, which only had 256 CUDA cores. This is a 500% increase in core count, promising much higher graphical performance. Leaks of the Switch 2's motherboard further supported these claims, showing a potential 8nm chip.
Dulay noted that the original Switch struggled with complex shaders, often resulting in framerate drops. The Mario Kart footage for the Switch 2, however, displays enhanced material reflections and high-resolution ground textures, which demand significant RAM. While the original Switch has just 4GB of RAM, the Switch 2 is rumored to have 12GB, with leaks indicating two SK Hynix LPDDR5 modules, each offering 6GB.
The speed of the RAM modules remains undisclosed, but similar modules from SK Hynix can reach up to 7500MHz, a substantial increase from the original Switch's 1600MHz when docked. This boost in memory speed and capacity could significantly enhance texture loading and overall graphical fidelity. Dulay emphasized the use of numerous high-resolution textures in the Mario Kart footage, underscoring the Switch 2's potential for visually stunning games.
Moreover, Dulay pointed out the presence of "true volumetric lighting" in the teaser, which is computationally intensive for any GPU. The ability to run such effects at 60 frames per second suggests a robust increase in the Switch 2's processing power. Volumetric lighting, along with distant shadows and real-time cloth physics on flagpoles, showcases the console's leap in graphical capabilities.
As we await further details and footage from Nintendo's upcoming Direct in April, Dulay's analysis provides a tantalizing preview of what gamers can expect from the Switch 2. For the latest updates on the Nintendo Switch 2, keep an eye on IGN's comprehensive coverage.
