Nintendo allegedly demonstrated the Switch 2 to a select group of developers at Gamescom

Nintendo apparently unveiled the Switch 2 behind closed doors at Gamescom last month. According to Eurogamer, select game developers had an early look at the Switch successor, as well as tech demos emphasizing its increased performance. One such demo is said to have demonstrated an enhanced version of 2017's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, aiming for a better framerate and resolution than the original's 30fps. However, it is unknown whether the game will be re-published on the next platform, which is expected to be launched in the second half of 2024. Nintendo also distributed development kits to select companies in August with the promise of a portable mode.

Following Eurogamer's first story, Nintendo validated the allegation by adding that at the event, Nintendo also covertly showcased Epic Games' The Matrix Awakens tech demo. The real-time experience debuted in 2021 to demonstrate the capability of the PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, as well as the high-quality renderings made possible by Unreal Engine 5. According to VGC's sources, the demo used Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology with ray-tracing enabled.

Could this imply that Nintendo and Nvidia are collaborating on a chip? Regardless, ray-tracing should not be interpreted as a hint that the Switch 2's raw power is comparable to that of current-gen consoles. The Switch 2 must remain portable and save battery power, whereas the PlayStation and Xbox consoles receive power straight from an outlet.

According to previous rumours, the Switch 2 would have an LCD screen rather than the pricey OLEDs as a cost-cutting measure, as well as a cartridge slot to read traditional games. While backwards compatibility would benefit gamers, it appears that some third-party developers are opposed to the plan in order to re-sell titles for the new hardware. The firm boasts a robust list of exclusive releases for the current Nintendo Switch, ranging from Super Mario Bros. Wonder to an unannounced Princess Peach game, for the next year. The debut of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which failed to produce stable framerates, highlighted the need for a new Nintendo gaming system.

Rumours about a Switch Pro first surfaced in 2020, when Bloomberg said that Nintendo intended to use Nvidia's improved chipset and 4K resolution. In other developments, the European Union passed a new battery sustainability guideline, implying that portable consoles must have replacement batteries by 2027. It provided manufacturers with a four-year timetable to adapt their devices so that users may remove and replace portable batteries using commercially available equipment or specialized tools that must be included in the box. There's no telling whether Nintendo's Switch sequel will follow those criteria, however strong resistance from console makers might prevent the order from being implemented.