Tech Experts: Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat Significantly Impacts System Resources, Final Specs Revealed

The tech experts at Digital Foundry have unveiled the final tech specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2, along with concerns about the impact of its new GameChat feature on system resources. During last month's Nintendo Direct, the company introduced the Switch 2's GameChat functionality, which can be activated by pressing the C button on the new Joy-Con controllers.

This feature allows players to watch each other playing the same or different games, and with the help of a camera, they can even see one another. The built-in microphone ensures clear communication, regardless of the players' gaming environments. The C button's chat menu is designed to be an all-in-one multiplayer feature, potentially marking Nintendo's most successful online initiative in decades.

Digital Foundry highlighted that Nintendo provides developers with a GameChat testing tool that simulates API latency and L3 cache misses, allowing developers to test the system's impact without running active GameChat sessions. This tool suggests that GameChat may affect system performance, raising questions about whether the feature will impact game performance for end users. As Digital Foundry stated, "We'll be interested to see how GameChat may (or may not) impact game performance as this does seem to be an area of developer concern." The full impact won't be clear until the Switch 2 launches on June 5.

In addition to GameChat, Digital Foundry revealed the Switch 2's final tech specs. The console reserves 3GB of memory for the system, leaving 9GB available for games. This is a notable change from the original Switch, which reserves 0.8GB and provides 3.2GB for games. Like other consoles, the Switch 2 does not grant developers full access to the GPU, as some resources are reserved for system functions.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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The Switch 2 boasts a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080), a significant upgrade from the 6.2-inch screen of the original Switch, the 7-inch screen of the Switch OLED, and the 5.5-inch screen of the Switch Lite. The new console also supports HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, enabling games to reach up to 120fps if supported by the game and the player's setup.

When docked, the Switch 2 can play games in 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps or at 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. These enhanced graphics are powered by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA." For a deeper dive into the specifications, Digital Foundry's detailed analysis is highly recommended.