This explains how demanding games can run at higher resolutions on the new console.
The difference became apparent when testing Hogwarts Legacy, The Touryst, and Fast Fusion. Battaglia noted that the second version of DLSS provides a clearer image on static frames, but often looks as if upscaling is not working during movement. A developer familiar with the technology confirmed: "DLSS on Switch 2 has two types. One is similar to CNN presets on PC, the other is about half the frame time cheaper."
The economical model reduces rendering costs by half, allowing for the reallocation of video card resources. Calculations from 2023 showed that full DLSS at 4K would require about 18 ms on the GPU of Switch 2. The cheaper version reduces this to ~9 ms, leaving 7–8 ms for the rest of the game processing. However, this often forces a reduction in the base resolution—648p in Fast Fusion and 720p in The Touryst—to maintain performance.
The approach highlights the capabilities and limitations of Nintendo's hybrid system. On one hand, DLSS allows for achieving 4K when connected to a dock. On the other hand, the economical version gives an unstable image in motion, which is criticized for dock mode. Battaglia suggested that games would benefit from a lower native resolution with traditional anti-aliasing, as in Cyberpunk 2077 or Street Fighter 6.
At launch, many games for Switch 2 will use a modified DLSS to combine high resolution and fps, showing the potential and challenges of adapting PC technologies to a portable platform.