Nintendo Switch 2 performs at PS4 graphics level according to analysts

Analysts over at Digital Foundry say that the Nintendo Switch 2 performs at a similar graphics level as the PlayStation 4, just as rumors have claimed over the years.

Although Nintendo has finally announced a release date for the Switch 2, the Japan-based company has yet to confirm what’s actually powering the console.

All we know is that it’s using an unnamed Nvidia chip to power the next-gen games and uses features like DLSS, Ray Tracing, and G-Sync to boost performance and make use of the handheld’s 120hz screen.

Digital Foundry, known for its in-depth performance analysis and tests of the latest and greatest gaming hardware, went into detail about the Switch 2’s performance and confirmed what era of gaming the new console can be compared to.

Switch 2 performance is similar to a PS4

Rumors are that the Switch 2 is using Nvidia’s T239 chip, an upgraded version of the chip that Nvidia uses for its RTX 30-series graphics cards.

While it’s derived from that era, DigitalFoundry says the rest of the chip is completely new and created specifically for the Nintendo Switch 2, which explains why the company is calling it a custom Nvidia chip.

With this information, they analysed the performance of the Switch 2 during the Nintendo Direct and hands-on demos and confirmed that it’s about the same as the original PlayStation 4.

“Way back when, Activision’s Bobby Kotick described the machine as offering PS4 class power and by and large, that’s in the ballpark of what the third-party demos revealed,” they said.

Dexerto / Nintendo

They go on to use several games as an example for their findings, including Elden Ring, Yakuza Zero, and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

According to Digital Foundry, Elden Ring runs at the same 1080p30fps you’ll get on the PS4, while Yakuza comes in at 1080p60fps, and Final Fantasy runs at 1080p30fps.

There is a silver lining, however. While its actual power may be similar to a PS4, new Nvidia features like DLSS and Ray Tracing can result in better-optimized games and more graphical power than its raw specs would indicate.

We’ll have to wait to see how differently games perform in docked vs handheld mode, and how Ray Tracing, DLSS, and VRR help improve the whole experience.

For more Switch 2 details, check out our hub.