Nintendo released Switch, its latest generation of console, back in March 2017, and it was a huge success, with sales reaching more than 125 million units as of March 2023, according to Satista.
Fans have been waiting for the next generation of Switch to come out, and there was a rumour that Nintendo was going to launch Switch 2 next year.
According to Eurogamer and VGC, Nintendo privately showcased specially crafted tech demos for its next-generation Switch to invited developers.
One of the demos featured an upgraded version of the Nintendo Switch’s launch title, Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
This improved version ran at a higher framerate and resolution compared to the original game, and it was optimised to match the specifications of the new console, according to Eurogamer. However, VCG says there was no indication that the game would actually be re-released.
Another demo presented was Epic’s The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 tech demo, originally designed to showcase the capabilities of the PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2021.
It’s worth mentioning that this does not imply that Switch 2 will have the same level of raw power as the PS5 or Xbox Series X, as those are not portable devices.
This demo was running on hardware tailored to the specifications of Nintendo’s next console.
It reportedly utilised Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology, incorporating advanced ray tracing and delivering visuals comparable to those found on Sony and Microsoft’s current-generation consoles.
DLSS, short for deep learning super sampling, is an AI upscaling technology designed to enhance game resolution, allowing developers to achieve higher graphical settings and improved frame rates on less powerful hardware.
While specific hardware details remain tightly guarded, VGC suggests that the next-gen console will retain the portable mode feature, similar to the Nintendo Switch.
