Back in 2020, Chomping Turtle speculated that Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) could be the “secret weapon” for the rumoured “Switch Pro” (read the old article here), a feature that might allow Nintendo’s next hardware to punch above its weight and close the power gap with Sony and Microsoft’s consoles. Fast forward to 2025, and with Switch Pro evolving into the fully-fledged Switch 2, we can now see just how prescient—and in some ways, conservative—those predictions were. The Pro never happened, some say it became the OLED, however “in the here and now” the Switch 2 is released in the year of our Lord 2025.
What our 2020 Article Got Right
- DLSS as a Power Multiplier: The original article correctly identified DLSS as a transformative technology for Nintendo’s hardware. DLSS allows games to be rendered at a lower internal resolution and then upscaled using AI, producing visuals that often rival or surpass native rendering at a fraction of the performance cost, and importantly for handheld power cost. On Switch 2, this has already become a cornerstone feature for third party games, enabling demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 to run at impressive quality and performance targets that would otherwise be impossible on a mobile SoC running at less than 20 watts total.
- Closing the Power Gap: The article suggested that DLSS could let Nintendo “close the power gap” with its rivals. In practice, Switch 2’s custom Nvidia Ampere GPU—with dedicated Tensor Cores for DLSS and RT Cores for ray tracing—delivers “up to 10x the graphics performance” of the original Switch, according to Nvidia. While Switch 2 doesn’t quite match that in realisty (its more like 3x in early games ) nevermind matching the PS5 or Xbox Series X in raw power, DLSS allows it to deliver surprisingly competitive visuals in a portable form factor, especially when docked and outputting to 4K displays.
- Developer Adoption: The prediction that DLSS would become more widely adopted if embedded in a popular device like Switch has also come true. Major third-party titles—including Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Outlaws, and Street Fighter 6—are confirmed to use DLSS on Switch 2, as the only console version with such advanced AI upscaling. However this is also because DLSS has been common place on virtyally every PC title, thanks to Nvidias market share. Now that AMD have FSR4, we will only see AI uscaling adoption further.
Where the Article Fell Short or Missed the Mark
- Performance Targets: The 2020 piece speculated about Switch Pro targeting native 1080p and using DLSS to upscale to 4K, even in portable mode. In reality, Switch 2’s performance is more nuanced. While docked, games like Cyberpunk 2077 use dynamic resolution scaling in combination with DLSS to output a 1080p image, which is then upscaled to 4K for TV play. In handheld mode, internal resolutions can drop as low as 360p–540p, with DLSS reconstructing up to 720p or 1080p, depending on the performance mode. The upscaling is impressive, but native 4K is rare—DLSS is doing the heavy lifting. But there is still a compututional cost for DLSS, so 1440p is more likely target for most games.
- Ray Tracing Expectations: The article floated the idea of RT cores being used in the dock for “docked play” and suggested ray tracing might be a feature. Switch 2 does include RT hardware, and some games are experimenting with it, but the performance cost means ray tracing is limited and used sparingly so far. The focus is very much on DLSS as the main enabler for next-gen visuals. Star Wars Outlaws will be the first “current gen” game that uses RT oin all other versions, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the confirmed Switch 2 port.
- Battery Life and Efficiency: The original piece anticipated that DLSS would be key to balancing performance and battery life—a prediction that’s been validated. Switch 2’s power budget is extremely tight, with the entire handheld system consuming around 20W, yet DLSS allows for visually rich experiences without draining the battery in minutes. However, the article may have underestimated just how aggressive Nintendo and Nvidia would be with power management and dynamic scaling to maintain that balance. Running on Samsungs now old 8nm (which is kind of 10nm) process, the power efficiently is outstanding, with titles like CP2077 using 22w TOTAL for a decent experience. Very impressive, and definitely gets you excited for a model refresh on somehting like 4nm.
DLSS on Switch 2: Real-World Impact
Cyberpunk 2077:
CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is perhaps the best showcase of DLSS in action. The game offers both 30fps quality and 40fps performance modes, with dynamic resolution scaling and DLSS reconstruction. In docked mode, the game targets 1080p output, with internal resolutions dipping as low as 540p to maintain performance. In handheld, DLSS reconstructs from even lower resolutions, yet the image remains sharper than you would imagine and stable—far superior to the blurry, artifact-laden visuals typical of the original Switch’s most demanding ports.
Comparative Table: DLSS Impact on Switch 2
| Mode | Internal Resolution | DLSS Output | Target FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Docked Quality | 720p–1080p | 1080p | 30 | DLSS upscaling |
| Docked Performance | 540p–1080p | 1080p | 40 | 120Hz VRR supported |
| Handheld Quality | 450p–810p | 810p/1080p | 30 | DLSS upscaling |
| Handheld Performance | 360p–720p | 720p | 40 | DLSS upscaling |
Image Quality and Temporal Stability:
DLSS not only boosts resolution but also improves temporal stability, reduces shimmering, and cleans up artifacts—delivering a more consistent and visually pleasing experience than traditional upscalers or TAA. In side-by-side comparisons, Switch 2’s DLSS-enabled output often looks sharper and more stable than the PS4’s native rendering, and in some respects even current gen rival Xbox Series S, especially in texture quality and clarity.
Fast Fusion: Pushing DLSS to Its Limits—and Beyond
While DLSS is proving itself as a transformative technology for the Nintendo Switch 2, not every game uses it to equal effect. Fast Fusion, a flagship launch title for the console, serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of aggressive DLSS implementation.
Fast Fusion: Abusing DLSS in the Name of Performance
Fast Fusion, a high-speed futuristic racer developed by Shin’en, is among the most technically impressive Switch 2 launch titles, boasting cutting-edge lighting systems, volumetric fog, and detailed track designs. However, its use of DLSS has become a point of contention. The game renders at unusually low internal resolutions—sometimes as low as 612p—before upscaling to 4K using the Switch 2’s DLSS.
This approach is a stretch for DLSS, especially in a game characterized by blistering speed and rapid motion. Upscaling from such a low base introduces significant visual artifacts and image breakup, particularly during fast movement. In fact, Fast RMX, its predecessor on the original Switch, actually delivers a more stable image at higher native resolutions, despite running on less powerful hardware.
Developer Response and the “Pure” Mode
Recognising these issues, Shin’en has responded by introducing a “Pure” mode in an upcoming patch. This mode removes DLSS entirely, instead targeting native 1440p when docked and 1080p in handheld, with dynamic resolution scaling for stability. This change is designed to address the “chunky” image quality and visual breakup that plagued the initial release, restoring clarity and stability to the experience.
Lessons for DLSS on Switch 2
Fast Fusion’s experience highlights the importance of balance when using DLSS:
- DLSS is Not a Magic Bullet: While DLSS can dramatically improve performance and image quality in many scenarios, pushing it to its absolute limits—especially in fast-paced games—can result in unacceptable artifacts.
- Context Matters: Games with slower movement or less complex visuals benefit more from aggressive DLSS upscaling, as the neural network has more stable data to work with.
- Developer Flexibility: The ability to toggle DLSS on and off, as Shin’en has done, is a valuable feature for both developers and players, allowing for a tailored experience based on individual preferences and the demands of each title.
Why DLSS Is a True Game Changer for Switch 2
- Unlocks Modern AAA Ports: DLSS enables Switch 2 to run current-gen games that would otherwise be impossible or extremely difficult to port on mobile hardware, with visuals and performance that are genuinely competitive in both docked and handheld modes.
- Extends Battery Life: By allowing lower internal resolutions, DLSS reduces GPU workload and power consumption, helping maintain reasonable battery life even in demanding titles.
- Future-Proofs the Platform: As DLSS continues to evolve, Switch 2 stands to benefit from ongoing software-side improvements, potentially boosting image quality and performance further via firmware and game updates.
- Developer Flexibility: Developers can choose how to balance resolution, frame rate, and visual fidelity, tailoring the experience to each game’s needs and the console’s power envelope.
Conclusion: The Prediction Was Right—And Then Some
Chomping Turtle’s 2020 prediction that DLSS would be Nintendo’s secret weapon has mostly come true. DLSS isn’t just a neat feature—it’s the defining technology that allows Switch 2 to deliver a generational leap in visuals and performance without sacrificing portability or battery life. While some details (like native 4K or ubiquitous ray tracing) were optimistic, the core thesis holds: DLSS is the game changer for Switch 2, enabling Nintendo to offer a truly modern console experience in a form factor that remains uniquely Nintendo. Fast Fusion’s experience, however, shows that even the best tools must be used with care—pushing DLSS too hard can undermine its benefits, but when used wisely, it remains a transformative force for the platform
