Mario Kart 9 Glimpse Hints at Significantly More Powerful Nintendo Switch 2, Developer Says

An indie developer, well-versed in crafting games for the original Nintendo Switch, has provided insightful analysis on why the brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 suggests the Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to be a significantly more powerful console. The grand reveal of the Switch 2 last week left many enthusiasts eager for more details, particularly about its technical capabilities. While Nintendo has showcased clear upgrades such as new Joy-Cons, a redesigned kickstand, and a larger form factor, the specifics of its power remain under wraps.

In a recent YouTube video highlighted by GamesRadar, Jerrel Dulay of Sungrand Studios, an expert who worked on the final titles for the Wii U and 3DS, shared his expectations for the Switch 2's enhanced capabilities. Dulay's analysis of the Mario Kart 9 footage from the Switch 2 reveal video provides valuable clues about its potential.

Mario Kart 9 - First Look

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Dulay pointed out the use of "physically-based shaders" on cars and other textures in the new Mario Kart footage, which indicates a significant leap in graphical capabilities. These shaders, affected by reflections, lighting, and other effects, were a challenge for the original Switch due to its hardware limitations. The presence of additional material reflections and high-resolution ground textures further suggests the Switch 2's increased power.

In late 2023, Digital Foundry reported on the Switch 2's rumored hardware, including the Nvidia T239 ARM mobile chip, which boasts 1536 CUDA Cores—a 500% increase from the original Switch’s Tegra X1 with just 256 CUDA cores. This was supported by leaks of the Switch 2's motherboard, which hinted at an 8nm chip.

Dulay emphasized that the use of physically-based rendering for shaders in the Mario Kart footage is a testament to the Switch 2's capabilities. He also noted the presence of "true volumetric lighting," a feature that's demanding on any GPU, yet the Switch 2 appears to handle it well, aiming for 60 frames per second. This, along with the ability to render shadows at far distances, indicates a substantial upgrade in performance.

The original Switch's 4GB of RAM was often a bottleneck for developers, but the Switch 2 is rumored to have 12GB of RAM, as evidenced by leaks showing two SK Hynix LPDDR5 modules. The potential higher memory transfer rate, possibly up to 7500MHz, could significantly enhance texture loading and overall game performance.

Dulay's analysis also highlighted the high number of unique textures and the complexity of elements like real-time cloth physics on flagpoles, showcasing the Switch 2's potential for developers accustomed to the limitations of the 2017 console.

As anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2, Dulay's insights provide a glimpse into the graphical prowess we can expect. Nintendo is set to reveal more about the Switch 2 in a dedicated Direct in April. Until then, keep up with all the latest updates on IGN's Switch 2 coverage.