Summary
TheMario Kartfootage seen in theNintendo Switch 2reveal trailer may suggest the console is considerably more powerful than its predecessor. Fans have theorized about the upcoming system’s specs for months, and while there’s still no official word on what to expect in that regard, some think there’s already evidence of a big upgrade. A closer look at theNintendo Switch 2unveiling could offer some insight into the console’s relative performance.
The January 16 trailerconfirmed many rumors about the Switch 2, including its larger screen size and the presence of some extra buttons. However, the video didn’t provide any specifics regarding the console’s technical specifications. Beyond the physical dimensions and some new functionality, the only details the trailer offered was confirmation that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible. Still, some fans think there’s more to the reveal than what’s noticeable at first glance.
Indie game developer Jerrel Dulay dissected theMario Kartsegments of the reveal trailer in a YouTube video, suggesting that the game’s performance indicates that the Switch 2 is “significantly more powerful” than the original. To back up his claims, Dulay pointed out the shadows and highlights on the characters and their carts. According to Dulay, the lighting appears to showcase physically-based shaders, which require a lot more computing power than would be possible at 60FPS on the first Switch’s hardware. Previous rumors claimed theSwitch 2 could be comparable to the Xbox Series Sin terms of RAM, and such an upgrade would make it possible to run this complex lighting.
The Switch 2’s Mario Kart Footage Displays Improved Visual Performance
After going over the lighting, Dulay mentioned the in-game textures. Comparing the trailer to footage fromMario Kart 8showed how the newMario Kart’s ground texture was a step up in both resolution and variety. Dulay explained how increasing the resolution on such a large and varied texture requires a significant jump in file size, so he said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Switch 2 had between 12 and 16 GB of RAM. That would put it on par with the PS5 and Xbox Series X purely in terms of memory. This, plus the apparent presence of volumetric lighting, makes sense in light of the rumors that theSwitch 2 will feature Nvidia’s DLSS technology, which helps run higher resolutions without excessive file sizes.
Dulay also pointed out how the Switch 2’s improved graphical capabilities are good for developers, not just gamers. Higher power means not having to down-scale a game to run on the system, which gives devs more freedom and makes it easier to bring some titles to the platform. Nintendo will likely reveal some specifics inthe upcoming April 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, but these early signs are encouraging.
Nintendo Switch 2
The successor to 2017’s Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 30, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
