Switch 2's Launch Performance Matches PS4
The latest Nintendo Direct showcased the first in-game footage for the Switch 2, but sharp-eyed tech analysts noticed some interesting details. Despite the presence of an NVIDIA chip, there was no sign of DLSS — a technology that could enhance image quality. Experts at Digital Foundry speculated that the versions shown were likely built before developers had fully integrated the console’s capabilities.
In clips from Mario Kart World and the latest Zelda installment, footage ran at 1440p and 60 FPS. Meanwhile, Donkey Kong Bananza and The Duskbloods hit 1080p but with varying frame rates. Third-party titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy VII Remake featured dynamic resolution scaling (ranging from 540p to 1080p) at 30 FPS. Interestingly, even without DLSS, these games appeared sharper than on a base PS4, though Final Fantasy showed some noticeable frame pacing issues.
Experts suggest that Switch 2’s current performance is roughly on par with the PS4 and PS4 Pro, but this is likely just the starting point. As developers get more familiar with the hardware post-launch, optimizations should follow. So far, the only Nintendo title showcasing advanced anti-aliasing is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. The big question remains: if DLSS isn’t used in the launch lineup, how will this impact future releases? For now, Switch 2 proves that even without AI-powered upscaling, last-gen ports can still see noticeable improvements.
