A recent analysis by Digital Foundry reveals new details about the Nintendo Switch 2’s graphics technology, confirming the presence of two distinct versions of NVIDIA DLSS. The report highlights how these upscaling methods are being applied across upcoming games and how they influence the system’s visual output and performance.
In a detailed breakdown shared on YouTube, Digital Foundry’s Alex Battaglia examined several titles currently running on Nintendo’s next-generation hardware, including Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6, Hogwarts Legacy, Star Wars Outlaws, The Touryst, and Fast Fusion. Through this analysis, Battaglia identified that the console appears to support two forms of NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling: a standard version similar to the PC model and a “light” version optimized for efficiency at higher resolutions.
The first version operates similarly to the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model used in PC GPUs. It provides enhanced image reconstruction, effective anti-aliasing during motion, and smoother transitions during camera cuts. This model is currently being used in games that upscale up to 1080p, maintaining image stability and visual balance without excessive strain on the hardware.
The second version, known as the “light” type, functions differently. It delivers sharper image quality in still frames but becomes less effective during fast movement or when new elements appear on screen. According to the findings, this variant is primarily utilized for games that upscale beyond 1080p resolution. While the “light” version lacks some of the advanced processing of the full DLSS model, it significantly reduces computational demand, making it better suited for the Switch 2’s portable hardware.
To verify the observation, Battaglia reached out to a developer familiar with NVIDIA’s upscaling technology. The developer confirmed that both DLSS types are indeed implemented on the system, each offering multiple presets tailored for specific performance targets. The “light” version is a newer configuration that reportedly cuts frame-time costs by half compared to the CNN-like model. This balance between visual fidelity and performance appears to be key to maintaining stable gameplay across a variety of titles.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the first handheld console to feature NVIDIA DLSS technology, marking a significant shift in how portable gaming systems handle high-resolution rendering. So far, only third-party titles have made use of DLSS on the system, likely due to compatibility or engine limitations in Nintendo’s own development tools. However, as developers continue to explore the hardware’s capabilities, it is expected that future first-party releases will also integrate this technology to achieve improved image quality without compromising performance.
This dual-DLSS implementation suggests that Nintendo and NVIDIA are working to balance graphical advancements with hardware efficiency, providing developers with flexible tools to deliver modern visuals within the system’s compact form factor.
