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

The recent reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked widespread excitement among gamers, but Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of its new console's hardware capabilities. While the new Joy-Cons, a revamped kickstand, and a larger form factor were showcased, the technical power of the Switch 2 remains a mystery. However, a brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 during the reveal may hold some answers.

In a detailed analysis on YouTube, Jerrel Dulay, an indie developer from Sungrand Studios with extensive experience on Nintendo's previous consoles, suggested that the Switch 2 is significantly more powerful than its predecessor. Dulay, who worked on some of the last titles for the Wii U and 3DS, provided a deep dive into the technical aspects of the Mario Kart 9 footage shown in the Switch 2 trailer.

Mario Kart 9 - First Look

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Dulay highlighted the use of "physically-based shaders" on the cars and other textures, which are affected by reflections and lighting. These shaders are demanding and could cause frame rate drops on the original Switch. The Mario Kart 9 footage also showcased additional material reflections from various surfaces, suggesting enhanced graphical capabilities.

A report from Digital Foundry in late 2023 suggested that the Switch 2 might be powered by the Nvidia T239 ARM mobile chip, boasting 1536 CUDA Cores—a 500% increase from the original Switch's Tegra X1 chip with 256 CUDA cores. This was supported by leaks of the Switch 2's motherboard, hinting at an 8nm chip.

Dulay noted the high-resolution ground textures in the footage, which require significant RAM. While the original Switch has only 4GB of RAM, the Switch 2 is rumored to have 12GB, with leaks showing two SK Hynix LPDDR5 modules, each offering 6GB. The potential increase in RAM speed to 7500MHz could significantly enhance texture loading and overall performance, allowing for more detailed and varied textures in games.

The Mario Kart teaser also featured "true volumetric lighting," which is computationally intensive. Dulay emphasized that the ability to run games at 60 frames per second with such lighting effects indicates a substantial increase in the Switch 2's power. He also pointed out the presence of shadows at greater distances, which were challenging to render on the original Switch due to hardware limitations.

Dulay's analysis extended to the high poly-count characters and real-time cloth physics on flagpoles in the footage, underscoring the leap in power the Switch 2 represents for developers accustomed to the constraints of the 2017 console.

As anticipation builds, Dulay's insights offer a tantalizing glimpse into the potential of the Nintendo Switch 2. More details are expected to be revealed during a dedicated Nintendo Direct in April, with ongoing coverage available on IGN.