Nintendo’s newest console, the Nintendo Switch, has been confirmed to tout a custom NVIDIA Tegra chip that could be powerful enough to play PS4-like games on the go. The news arrives via an official blog post from the chip maker and trusted Wall Street Journal source, Takashi Mochizuki.
In short, the 2017 console will feature a scalable processor with an NVIDIA GPU built off similar technology used by the company’s high-end PC graphics cards. In line with the main chip, there’s also custom software to go along with it too. Physics and gaming APIs “specifically designed to bring lightweight, fast gaming to the masses” will make this particular spec unlike other mobile offerings.
One thing the source doesn’t reveal, however, is the hardware’s horsepower when stacked up against competitors like PS4 and Xbox One. After speaking with some of his trusted friends in third-party development, Mochizuki was able to get a basic idea that may surprise some gamers:
“Some 3rd told me they are moving PS4 titles to Switch,” Mochizuki said. “That may suggest NVIDIA-powered Switch’s spec.”
Some 3rd told me they are moving PS4 titles to Switch. So that may suggest NVIDIA-powered Switch's spec.
— Takashi Mochizuki (@mochi_wsj) October 20, 2016
Of course this doesn’t necessarily mean the Switch will be as powerful as a PS4. After all, not only can any game theoretically be ported to any system with limitless tweaking, but we don’t know precisely which games the third-party source is making. Without clearer context, the project could be as small as a portable indie title or something as big as Watch Dogs 2.
What we can glean from this, however, is the Nintendo Switch may, in fact, be fairly easy to develop for. If porting of PS4 titles is already taking place, that’s a fairly good sign. We also know that a long list of third-party teams from the likes of EA, Ubisoft and Activision have already pledged to support the system initially. Could PS4 to Switch ports become a frequent and normal thing in the future? That certainly seems possible.
The Nintendo Switch was revealed earlier this morning in a brand-new trailer that demoed the console’s hybrid portable features, a few new games and its TV connected functionality. Rumors provided by Eurogamer a few months back were spot on about the product’s main purpose.
NVIDIA’s blog post also reiterates a March 2017 release date for the Nintendo Switch.
What do you think of these spec reports? Will the Nintendo Switch actually scale enough to play PS4 games? Tell us in the comments section!
