Nvidia Lauds Switch 2 as a Tribute to Iwata's Vision with Cutting-Edge Portable Graphics

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has commended the Nintendo Switch 2, stating that the forthcoming console fulfills the vision of the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who pioneered the concept for the original Switch before his passing in 2015.

In a Nintendo-published Creator's Voice video, Huang revealed he collaborated closely with Iwata on Nintendo's ambitious plan for a hybrid console that could deliver home console-quality gaming on the go.

After partnering with Nintendo again on the chip powering Switch 2, Huang described the new console as featuring "the most sophisticated graphics ever in a portable device," heralding it as "a new chapter that honors Iwata's vision."

"We've partnered with Nintendo for over a decade, united by a shared conviction that technology should fuel creativity and that joy is worth designing for," Huang stated.

"I vividly recall the day Iwata shared his dream with us. He envisioned a device unlike any other: a console powerful enough for immersive cinematic games, yet compact enough to carry anywhere. It seemed unattainable, but that vision became the original Nintendo Switch."

"We lost Iwata before the launch, but his clarity and purpose continue to guide our work daily," Huang added. "Together, we invested everything in that system. The Nintendo Switch required over 500 engineer years at Nvidia. We reimagined the entire stack—chip architecture, OS, APIs, game engines—so the magic could go with you. The results speak for themselves: over 150 million consoles sold."

With Switch 2, Huang noted, Nvidia and Nintendo have delivered the finest visuals ever seen in a portable gaming device, with hardware supporting ray tracing and HDR while maintaining backward compatibility for most Switch 1 games.

Nintendo has yet to disclose the Switch 2's full technical specifications, though Digital Foundry recently provided detailed insights. One notable concern is the impact of GameChat on system resources, which Digital Foundry reported as "significant," raising concerns among some developers.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

"Switch 2 is more than just a console," Huang concluded. "It's a new chapter that lives up to Iwata's vision. To our partners at Nintendo, congratulations. We're privileged to share this journey with you."

Nintendo Switch 2 launches this week on Thursday, June 5, and is expected to sell out quickly. Nintendo is already sending 'Out of Stock' signs to some retailers to highlight the console's high demand and limited availability.

IGN has gone hands-on with Switch 2, reporting today that Mario Kart World's open world differs from expectations—it's not a Nintendo take on Forza Horizon. We've also tested the $10 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour mini-game collection, which, while fun, arguably should have been free.