Nintendo's new Switch 2 console has been at the center of many leaks and speculations in recent weeks. New information suggests that the console will feature significant upgrades, and it is anticipated to launch at the end of this fiscal year, likely in March or April of 2025.
Podcast Insights
In a recent episode of Digital Foundry's podcast, the hosts answered viewer questions, including whether they think the Switch 2 will support features from Unreal Engine 5. They confidently answered that it will, indeed, support these features.
They emphasize, rightly so, that a big part of the Switch's success comes from the support of third-party developers. This statement holds a lot of weight since the Switch is a beloved gaming platform for many. The situation is clear: as the gaming world embraces Unreal Engine 5, Nintendo can't afford to fall behind, and it is expected to include almost all UE5 features, such as Nanite, Lumen, and possibly even MegaLights, albeit with some adjustments.
Performance Concerns
However, there are some caveats to consider. The experts were careful to manage expectations, pointing out that hardware constraints will likely come into play. It all comes down to performance goals and how much developers are willing to optimize to get the best out of the console. In another discussion about performance, the hosts were questioned about how the Steam Deck might influence the Switch platform, and their answer was clear: even though the Steam Deck has stronger hardware, it doesn't have the games that make the Switch so appealing, and it’s generally more cumbersome to use.
Digital Foundry via YouTube
