In another update to the next-generation Switch, Moore’s Law is Dead talks to Matt from Alderon Games on the console and the updates that are expected from it. Already provides an insight into the problems of the original console and how the second coming can improve upon it. They confirm the expectation that the Switch 2 could more or less be on par with the Steam Deck that heads the handheld field and might bring Nintendo back into the talks considering it was released over seven years ago now.
It might also help with the development side of things to introduce this new version. As Matt talks about in the podcast, the current Switch can be problematic as the old specs do limit what can be achieved on it. He mentions how you only get 3GB of accessible RAM shared between the CPU and GPU. That leads to the potential of out-of-memory crasehs caused as Alderon talked of happening with their game. So hopefully the Switch 2 release should help resolve that issue.
On par with the Steam Deck but limited by Nintendo
The specs leaked of the Switch 2 should put it on par with the Steam Deck, but the supposed weaker single Core CPU performance may impact its capabilities, as previously said it might be a stretch to compare the two. That might come from Nintendo’s choices in the security systems inside of the thing with software limiting its potential. The manufacturer includes security processors and encryption introducing limitations and slower work of the Switch.
It might just be another way Nintendo is trying to cut down on any hacking and emulation that could be seen on the original handheld. If the current limitations are also introduced, combined it can really hinder the performance even with these improved specs. That currently includes the system limiting how much data the game cannot write too much data to prevent flash storage from wearing out and limits the patch sizes too.
But the leaked specs should still give it a lot more to work with. It has a 128-bit LPDDR5 fast memory to go with, which also allows it to work with 8/12/16GB capacities for it. Alongside being an Nvidia Ampere processor, it should allow it to run modern graphics and potentially ray tracing. But probably the ability to use DLSS might be most important for the handheld.
