Recently, Nintendo has stirred excitement in the gaming world by filing a patent that suggests some promising technological advancements for the new Nintendo Switch 2. This patent, revealed on March 13, introduces a remarkable AI-driven upscaling feature designed to enhance gaming performance in handheld mode, turning lower-resolution images into smoother and sharper visuals.
The Nintendo Switch 2, much anticipated as the follow-up to the original Switch, has been generating buzz and speculation long before its formal unveiling in January. While it boasts a larger display and redesigned Joy-Con controllers, one standout feature is its backward compatibility—most existing Switch games, both physical and digital, will be playable, save for a few exceptions. However, how these games perform on the new console, particularly high-profile titles like “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond” and “Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition,” remains a hot topic.
In addition to FCC documents confirming the Switch 2’s improved wireless capabilities, this new patent reveals that Nintendo plans to leverage AI upscaling technology to significantly boost visual quality in handheld mode. First spotted by gaming enthusiast Mike Odyssey on Twitter, this technology promises to upscale images from 540p to 1080p, providing a more immersive gaming experience with increased frame rates—a feat comparable to technologies like Nvidia DLSS or AMD FSR.
While it’s still unclear how this AI upscaling might affect battery life or whether it will be available while the console is docked, the anticipation surrounding this technology is evident. Questions remain about which specific titles will utilize this feature, but it’s clear that AI upscaling represents just a portion of Nintendo’s exciting future plans. Other patents have hinted at innovative features like proximity-based voice chat for select games and applications.
Gamers won’t have to wait much longer to learn more about what the Switch 2 has in store. Pricing details, release dates, and a complete feature list are expected to be unveiled during the April 2 Nintendo Direct broadcast. Although availability is still a lingering question, there’s no doubt that the Switch 2 is already setting high expectations among gamers and industry insiders alike. It will be fascinating to see how this next-generation console stacks up against other systems upon its release.
