Mario Kart 9 Glimpse Hints at 'Significantly More Powerful' Nintendo Switch 2, Developer Says

The recent unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked widespread excitement, but amidst the fanfare, one key aspect remains shrouded in mystery: the console's technical capabilities. While we've seen notable enhancements like new Joy-Cons, a revamped kickstand, and a larger form factor, Nintendo has kept the specifics of the Switch 2's power under wraps. However, a brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 during the reveal has led indie developer Jerrel Dulay of Sungrand Studios to speculate that the Switch 2 is "significantly more powerful" than its predecessor.

Mario Kart 9 - First Look

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In a detailed analysis shared on YouTube, Dulay pointed to several elements in the Mario Kart 9 footage that suggest a significant upgrade in hardware. He highlighted the use of "physically-based shaders" on vehicles and textures, which respond dynamically to reflections and lighting. This level of detail would have been taxing for the original Nintendo Switch, often leading to framerate drops when complex shaders were used.

Dulay's insights are backed by reports from Digital Foundry, which suggested that the Switch 2 might be powered by the Nvidia T239 ARM mobile chip. This chip is said to feature 1536 CUDA cores—a 500% increase from the original Switch's Tegra X1 chip, which had only 256 CUDA cores. The rumored inclusion of this chip aligns with leaks of the Switch 2's motherboard, which indicate an 8nm chip.

Another key indicator of the Switch 2's enhanced capabilities is the use of high-resolution ground textures. Dulay noted that these textures demand significant RAM, and with the Switch 2 rumored to have 12GB of RAM—triple that of the original Switch's 4GB—the console is poised to handle such demands with ease. Leaks suggest the use of two SK Hynix LPDDR5 modules, each potentially offering 6GB of RAM, and possibly running at speeds up to 7500MHz, a significant improvement over the original Switch's 1600MHz when docked.

The Mario Kart footage also showcased "true volumetric lighting," a feature that Dulay described as computationally intensive. The ability to run this at 60 frames per second on the Switch 2 is a testament to its increased power. Dulay also pointed out the presence of distant shadows and real-time cloth physics on flagpoles, further illustrating the console's potential to handle more complex graphical elements than the original Switch.

As we await more information and footage from Nintendo, Dulay's analysis provides a compelling preview of what the Switch 2 might offer in terms of graphical prowess. Nintendo has planned a dedicated Direct in April to reveal more about the Switch 2, and until then, you can stay updated with all the latest news and coverage on IGN.