Wondering just how powerful the Nintendo Switch 2 is in terms of raw computing power? One developer has said it’s closer to the Xbox Series S than the PlayStation 4.
In an interview with wccftech, Takuto Edagawa, producer of Koei Tecmo's Wild Hearts S, said that while it’s difficult to generalize about the power of the Switch 2, the Series S is a decent comparison.
There are a lot of characteristics when it comes to raw computing power so it's difficult to generalize, but I think it can be thought as closer to the Series S.
Switch 2's tech specs include a custom Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores. Ahead of the console’s launch, Nvidia said the GPU enables 10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch, with AI upscaling via DLSS and ray tracing.
The Xbox Series S is the less powerful alternative to the Xbox Series X. It launched alongside that console in 2020, in direct competition with the PlayStation 5, and this November turns five years old.
If the Switch 2 is similar in power to the Xbox Series S, that suggests it will run most third-party games. Microsoft mandates that any game that launches on the Xbox Series X also launches on the S, so any developer working on a game for the current-gen Xbox must ensure the S is capable of running it.
It’s also worth noting that Microsoft and Activision are still working on bringing Call of Duty to Switch. The recently announced Black Ops 7 isn’t confirmed for Switch 2 yet, but we do know it’s planned for release on the last generation of consoles (PS4 and Xbox One). That should mean it’ll run fine on Switch 2, based on Edagawa’s comments.
Indeed, Switch 2 released with a number of third-party games to flesh out its launch lineup, including CD Projekt’s demanding Cyberpunk 2077. Where the Switch lacked many third-party multiplatform games, perhaps the Switch 2 will thrive.
Switch 2 is off to a great start, selling 3.5 million units in just four days. That's enough to make it the fastest-selling Nintendo hardware ever.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
