Tech Experts Reveal Final Specs of Nintendo Switch 2, Warn of GameChat's Impact on System Resources

The tech experts at Digital Foundry have unveiled the final tech specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2, and alongside this, they've highlighted significant concerns about the impact of the new GameChat feature on system resources. Developers are reportedly worried about how this feature might affect game performance due to its resource demands.

During last month's Nintendo Direct, the company introduced the Switch 2's GameChat functionality, which is activated by pressing the C button on the new Joy-Con controllers. This feature allows players to watch each other play the same or different games and even see each other via a camera. The built-in microphone ensures reliable audio communication regardless of the gaming environment. The C button's chat menu is designed to be a comprehensive multiplayer feature, potentially marking Nintendo's most successful online initiative in years.

Digital Foundry noted that Nintendo supplies developers with a GameChat testing tool, which simulates API latency and L3 cache misses, allowing developers to test the feature without needing live sessions. This raises questions about whether GameChat impacts game performance for end users. If GameChat resources are allocated within the system's limits, it should not affect performance. However, the provision of emulation tools suggests that there might be a performance hit that developers need to account for.

As Digital Foundry stated, "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 clear until the Switch 2's release on June 5.

In addition to GameChat, Digital Foundry revealed the Switch 2's final tech specs. The console reserves 3GB of memory for the system, leaving 9GB available for games. This is a significant difference from the original Switch, which reserved 0.8GB and allocated 3.2GB for games. Like all consoles, the Switch 2 does not provide developers with full access to 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 1080p (1920x1080) output, a significant upgrade from the Switch 1's 6.2-inch, the Switch OLED's 7-inch, and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screens. It also supports HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, allowing games to reach 120fps if the game and setup support it.

When connected to its new dock, the Switch 2 can play games in 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps or at 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. These higher-end graphics are enabled by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA."

For a deeper dive into the Switch 2's specifications, Digital Foundry's detailed analysis is highly recommended.