Nintendo Switch 2 Development Kit Doesn’t Support 4K Output – Rumour

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As the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event draws nearer, with some suggesting a June release, whispers about the development kit of the upcoming console are circulating. One recent rumor hints at the potential lack of 4K output on the Switch 2. Developers allegedly disclosed that the development kit for the new console does not include support for 4K.

During a recent discussion on the Insider Gaming Weekly podcast, Tom Henderson shared that during GDC 2025, developers confided in him details about their development kits’ abilities. One developer, in particular, disclosed that the kits were not capable of 4K output.

In the podcast, Henderson mentioned that he had learned from a developer at GDC and another source via email that not all development kits support a 4K output.

Although having a 4K output for the development kit might not significantly impact the overall picture in terms of importance, it suggests that the Switch 2 may not natively support such high resolution. Instead, it’s possible that the console will employ AI-driven image upscaling technology similar to Nvidia’s DLSS, as a way to enhance visual quality.

Back in January, I first caught wind of some intriguing tech rumors, all thanks to a patent application. Word on the street is that the Switch 2 will come equipped with its own unique internal hardware, specifically a neural net. Now, this cutting-edge chip, designed by none other than Nvidia, is said to be quite the powerhouse. It’s expected to have the ability to boost pixel resolutions from 540p all the way up to crisp and clear 1080p, just as an example of its capabilities.

It appears that one application of this scaling technology may involve shrinking the overall size of video games. In doing so, Nintendo could potentially save space on their hardware since they wouldn’t need to include high-resolution textures, which are typically large in terms of storage. Instead, they would utilize image upscaling technology to enhance the visual quality.

As an enthusiast, I’d put it this way: Imagine a game with stunning 4K textures, weighing approximately 60GB. But with AI-assisted upscaling technology, we can reduce the texture size for smoother 1080p gaming, cutting down the file size to about 20GB. This compact version can then be effortlessly expanded to a breathtaking 4K resolution using this advanced upscaler. And

In January, there were whispers about the potential horsepower of the upcoming Switch 2. These whispers suggested that the Switch 2’s GPU would operate at 561 MHz while it’s being used as a handheld device, which equates to approximately 1.71 TFLOPS (operations per second). However, when docked, the Switch 2 is rumored to reach 1,000 MHz, equivalent to about 3.1 TFLOPS.

It’s been speculated that the Nintendo Switch 2 might utilize an Nvidia Tegra 239 SoC (integrated circuit system). Although it won’t match the power of today’s console or PC hardware, the new hardware will undoubtedly be a significant improvement over the initial Switch.

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2025-04-01 17:41