Nintendo’s next generation console, the highly anticipated Switch 2, displayed remarkable performance by running the acclaimed title “Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition” at an impressive 120 frames per second (FPS) during internal testing. This brand of fluidity, unprecedented for a portable device from the company, points to a significant technological advance and the ability to offer a more immersive and responsive gaming experience. However, this high performance hit an obstacle when the console was connected to televisions, revealing that most current home equipment may not be ready to fully take advantage of this capability.
Impressive performance on Nintendo’s new hardware
Preliminary tests, conducted on a development kit for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, revealed graphics and processing potential that far surpasses that of its predecessor. The game “Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition”, recognized for its frenetic action, rich visual effects and fast pace, achieved a rate of 120 frames per second. This feat is particularly relevant since the Switch has always been a console that prioritizes versatility and innovation in gameplay, rather than raw power comparable to that of other desktop consoles like PlayStation or Xbox.
The ability to reach 120 FPS in this AAA title suggests that the Switch 2 will feature robust hardware, likely driven by a new architecture from NVIDIA. NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology was crucial to achieving this fluidity. DLSS uses artificial intelligence to render images at lower resolutions and then upscales them to higher quality, resulting in a substantial performance gain without noticeably compromising visual fidelity. The inclusion of this technology is a strong indication that Nintendo is seeking to deliver improved and smoother visual experiences, even on more compact and mobility-focused hardware, representing a generational leap compared to the original Switch.
Understand the barriers of connecting to current televisions
Despite the Switch 2’s remarkable internal performance, the full 120 FPS experience may be limited when connecting the console to a television. The main bottleneck lies in the compatibility of TVs with high refresh rates and the specifications of the HDMI ports. To display 120 frames per second, the TV needs to have a refresh rate of at least 120Hz and, crucially, an HDMI 2.1 port. Without these requirements, the full fluidity generated by the console will not be reproduced on the big screen.
Most TVs on the market today, especially older or entry-level models, still use the HDMI 2.0 interface and have 60Hz refresh frequencies. With HDMI 2.0, the bandwidth is insufficient to transmit video signals in high resolutions at 120Hz. For example, it can support 4K at 60Hz or 1080p at 120Hz, but the ability to handle 4K at 120Hz is exclusive to HDMI 2.1. This means that even if the Switch 2 is outputting 120 FPS in a game, the television connected to an HDMI 2.0 port will only be able to display 60 frames per second, wasting half the potential for fluidity and responsiveness that the console offers.
- HDMI 2.0: This connection standard limits video transmission, generally supporting 4K at 60Hz or 1080p at 120Hz, with certain restrictions and compressions in some cases.
- HDMI 2.1: Considered essential for next-generation experiences, it offers significantly greater bandwidth, enabling 4K at 120Hz or even 8K at 60Hz without compromising quality.
- TV refresh rate: The vast majority of television models sold in recent years, especially the more affordable ones, operate at a rate of 60Hz, which prevents the viewing of any content above that frequency.
- Portable experience: It’s important to note that the Switch 2’s own screen, in handheld mode, may not have the same refresh rate limitations depending on its specs, potentially offering full fluidity directly on the console.
This scenario means that players who want to experience the Switch 2’s 120 FPS on the big screen may need to invest in more modern televisions, equipped with the appropriate technical specifications. The absence of HDMI 2.1 and a 120Hz panel on its TVs will mean that the high frame rate experience will be restricted to portable mode, or a future equipment upgrade.
A significant leap forward in the portable gaming experience
The ability to run a complex game like “Devil May Cry 5” at 120 FPS is not only an impressive technical feat, but a strong indication of Nintendo’s ambition for the next generation of portable consoles. The original Switch, despite its smash success and innovative hybrid design, was often criticized for its hardware limitations, which resulted in lower resolutions, simplified textures, and, in many titles, choppy frame rates.
With the Switch 2, the company appears to be addressing these concerns directly. The fluidity of 120 FPS, even if demonstrated in a specific game and development kit, signals a renewed focus on a more responsive and visually rich gaming experience. For gamers, this will translate into sharper graphics, smoother motion, lower latency and an improved response time, elements that are crucial in the fast-paced action and adventure genres that are mainstays in Nintendo’s vast catalogue. This improvement could open doors for titles that were previously considered too demanding for Nintendo’s hardware.
What to expect from the next generation of the hybrid console
The revelation about the performance of Devil May Cry 5 on the Nintendo Switch 2 intensely fuels expectations for the official launch of the new console. Nintendo has a notable history of innovating gameplay and hardware design, and the Switch 2 looks to continue that tradition by combining the flexibility of portability with significantly greater processing power.
The adoption of DLSS technology, which optimizes graphics performance, and support for high frame rates positions the Switch 2 to compete more effectively in today’s video gaming landscape. In this scenario, visual quality and gameplay fluidity are aspects increasingly valued by consumers. Although the limitations of compatibility with current TVs may be a point of concern for some users, the potential to improve the gaming experience, both in portable mode and in dock mode for compatible TVs, represents a promising future for fans of the brand and for the industry as a whole. The expectation is that the console will be able to run a wide range of titles with better graphical fidelity and performance, opening up new creative possibilities for developers and providing unprecedented experiences for players.