Last week, Nintendo finally introduced the Nintendo Switch 2, announcing its release date, price, launch games, and upcoming titles. However, there are still no specific details about the console’s hardware to give a clear picture of its performance.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs. PS4 and Steam Deck
Digital Foundry, known for their tech analysis, made an estimate based on the games shown so far. They stated that the Switch 2’s power is comparable to the PS4 but with several hardware and technology differences that could make the Switch 2 perform better and be more up-to-date.
In their comparison, Digital Foundry used games like Elden Ring and Final Fantasy 7: Remake. Both games ran at 1080p and 30 fps on the Switch 2, which is similar to the performance of the PS4. Other games showed similar results, with some exceptions like Yakuza Zero, which runs at 4K and 60 fps when docked.
Richard Ledbetter, from Digital Foundry, pointed out that the comparison with the PS4 only looks at raw power. The Nintendo Switch 2 has some special features that could put it in a better position compared to the older PlayStation console. One of these features is the NVIDIA architecture that will allow developers to use hardware ray tracing, mesh shaders, and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). This technology, which is missing from the PS4 and PS4 Pro, could lead to major improvements in performance or resolution.
Preliminary Comparison with Steam Deck
Digital Foundry also compared the Switch 2 to the Steam Deck. They found that the Switch 2 outperforms the Steam Deck in docked mode, meaning when the console is connected to a TV. However, in terms of raw power, the Steam Deck may have the upper hand when used in handheld mode. Despite this, the Switch 2 has an advanced graphics API, benefits from custom development, and features a higher-resolution screen.
Keep in mind that these are just early opinions based on limited tests, and there is still much more to discover. A full understanding of the Switch 2’s power will only come once the console is available in stores on June 5.
