Although the Nintendo Switch is undeniably a success, the console has its fair share of critics. The graphical prowess of Nintendo’s hybrid handheld couldn’t really compete with that of the Xbox or PlayStation, but a new patent suggests the Nintendo Switch 2 might not have that problem.
This patent shows a system that could upscale resolution to as high as 4K — without native 4K textures. The technology is similar to existing tools, like Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) or AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR).
In theory, Nintendo’s patent would make it possible to keep game sizes smaller while still achieving gorgeous scenery and gameplay.
For example, a 1080p game might need 25GB of storage, while a 4K game might need 75GB. A Nintendo Switch cartridge can only store up to 32GB of data, so 4K is out — unless it’s artificially scaled up, according to analyst Laura Kate Dale.
Recommended Videos The Nintendo Switch 2 is all but guaranteed to be backward compatible with existing games, so maintaining compatibility with existing cartridges makes sense.