Digital Foundry says Nintendo Switch 2 is “roughly a PS4 level” system https://t.co/088jXD9Yqj
— My Nintendo News (@MyNintendoNews) April 9, 2025
Last week, Nintendo announced the hugely anticipated successor to the Switch, the Switch 2. While the highly exciting name they’ve chosen for the console may not convey it, the Switch 2 is looking like it will be pushing some pretty exciting performance for a handheld.
And dare I say, might actually justify the steep $450 price tag that comes with it.
During last week’s Nintendo Direct, the Switch 2 showcased several high-profile titles, including Elden Ring, Yakuza Zero, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. Digital Foundry’s analysis of the footage revealed performance metrics that align closely with the PS4. For instance, Elden Ring runs at 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second on the Switch 2, matching its PS4 counterpart. Yakuza Zero achieves 1080p at 60 fps, while Final Fantasy 7 Remake operates at 1080p and 30 fps, with some lighting enhancements borrowed from the PS5’s Intergrade version.
While Nintendo has not disclosed the exact specifications of the Switch 2’s custom Nvidia chip, rumored to be the T239, analysts note it leverages advanced technologies to punch above its raw power. Features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and ray tracing enhance image quality and lighting effects, allowing the console to optimize performance in both handheld and docked modes. These additions help the Switch 2 deliver sharper visuals than its predecessor, despite its hardware being closer to a decade-old PS4 than current-generation consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Given all of that, and the fact that the new console is a handheld, I MIGHT be starting to understand why Nintendo has priced it the way that they did. Don’t get me wrong, when I first read the retail price of $449.99, to say I had sticker shock would be a massive understatement. I truly thought that they had completely lost touch, and that if they continued on with their ask they would likely blow what should be one of the biggest console launches of all time. But now my mind is slowly being changed.
To be completely honest, I was already starting to come to terms with the slightly ridiculous price of the Switch 2 before I heard this analysis. That’s probably just because of the hype I built for myself watching all the new game demos. Also, the vibes of Nintendo titles being truly immaculate likely didn’t hurt.
Maybe time does fix all after all? Only a week later, my rage has been replaced with the same nostalgia I felt prior to going on a minor rampage after the Nintendo Direct livestream.
I don’t know how Nintendo does it, but somehow they always manage to. Now onward to the preorders, whenever that may be…
-@DraakoTP