The tech gurus at Digital Foundry have unveiled the definitive technical specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting a significant concern among developers regarding the system's GameChat feature. According to their analysis, GameChat seems to have a notable impact on the system's resources.
During last month's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo introduced the GameChat functionality for the Switch 2, which is activated by pressing the C button on the new Joy-Con. This feature enables players to not only watch each other play the same or different games but also to see each other via a camera, thanks to a built-in microphone that performs reliably across various gaming environments. The C button's chat menu is designed to be a comprehensive multiplayer tool, potentially marking Nintendo's most ambitious online initiative in years.
Digital Foundry reported that Nintendo offers developers a GameChat testing tool that simulates API latency and L3 cache misses, mimicking real-world conditions without requiring active GameChat sessions. This suggests that GameChat does indeed place a demand on the system's resources, prompting concerns about potential impacts on game performance. Digital Foundry commented, "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 full extent of GameChat's influence on gameplay will only be clear once the Switch 2 launches on June 5.
In addition to the GameChat discussion, 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. This is a significant shift from the original Switch, which had a 0.8GB system reservation and 3.2GB for games. As with all consoles, Switch 2 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 displaying at 1080p resolution (1920x1080). This represents a substantial 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, allowing games to reach up to 120fps if both the game and the user's setup support it.
When connected to its new dock, the Switch 2 can output games at 4K resolution (3840x2160) at 60fps or at 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. These enhanced graphics capabilities are facilitated by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA." For a detailed breakdown of the Switch 2's specs, Digital Foundry's comprehensive report is highly recommended.
