The tech experts at Digital Foundry have unveiled the final technical specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2, along with a critical insight into the GameChat feature. They claim that GameChat has a "significant impact" on the system's resources, raising concerns among developers about its effect on overall performance.
During last month's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo introduced the Switch 2's GameChat functionality, which is activated by pressing the C button on the new Joy-Con. This feature allows players to not only watch each other play the same or different games but also to see each other through a camera. A built-in microphone ensures clear communication, making it effective across various gaming environments. The C button's chat menu is designed to be a comprehensive multiplayer feature, potentially marking Nintendo's most successful online initiative in decades.
Digital Foundry highlighted that Nintendo offers developers a GameChat testing tool that simulates API latency and L3 cache misses, mimicking the real-world impact of GameChat on the system. This tool enables developers to assess performance without needing active GameChat sessions.
Digital Foundry is now curious about whether GameChat affects game performance for end users. If GameChat resources are allocated within the system's capabilities, it shouldn't impact performance. However, the provision of GameChat emulation tools suggests that there might be a performance hit that developers need to consider.
As Digital Foundry noted, "We'll be interested to see how GameChat may (or may not) impact game performance as this does seem to be an area of developer concern." The true impact won't be known until the Switch 2 launches on June 5.
Meanwhile, Digital Foundry revealed the final tech specs for the Switch 2. The console reserves 3GB of memory for the system, leaving 9GB available for games. For comparison, the original Switch reserved 0.8GB, with 3.2GB available for games. This indicates a substantial portion of the Switch 2's resources is dedicated to the system rather than games. As with all consoles, developers do not have access to the full GPU resources, as some are reserved by the system.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen, capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080). This represents a significant upgrade from the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen, the Switch OLED's 7-inch screen, and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen. Additionally, the Switch 2 supports HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, enabling games to reach up to 120fps if the game and your setup support it.
When docked, the Switch 2 can play games at 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps or at 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. These enhanced graphics capabilities are driven by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA."
For a more detailed look at the Switch 2's specifications, Digital Foundry's full report is highly recommended.
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