Home News Why That Brief Look at Mario Kart 9 Suggests Nintendo Switch 2 Is 'Significantly More Powerful' Than the Original — According to a Developer

Why That Brief Look at Mario Kart 9 Suggests Nintendo Switch 2 Is 'Significantly More Powerful' Than the Original — According to a Developer

Author : Isabella Update:Mar 16,2025

An indie developer with extensive experience creating games for the original Nintendo Switch has offered compelling reasons why the brief glimpse of Mario Kart 9 hints at a significantly more powerful Switch 2. Last week's hardware reveal generated considerable excitement, yet Nintendo remains surprisingly tight-lipped about the Switch 2's technical capabilities. While upgrades like new Joy-Cons, a redesigned kickstand, and a larger form factor are evident, the console's raw power remains unconfirmed.

However, the Mario Kart 9 footage in the reveal video may offer clues. In a recent YouTube video (via GamesRadar), Jerrel Dulay of Sungrand Studios, a developer with a history of working on Wii U and 3DS titles, suggests a substantial power increase.

Mario Kart 9 - First Look

25 Images

Dulay points to the use of "physically-based shaders" on the cars and textures as evidence. These shaders, affected by reflections and lighting, were resource-intensive on the original Switch, often impacting frame rates. The Mario Kart 9 footage, however, showcases numerous shaders alongside detailed material reflections.

A late 2023 Digital Foundry report (and subsequent motherboard leaks) suggested the Switch 2 utilizes an Nvidia T239 ARM mobile chip with approximately 1536 CUDA cores—a significant jump from the original Switch's Tegra X1 chip with only 256. This represents a 500% increase in CUDA core count alone.

Dulay emphasizes the high-resolution ground textures, noting their memory demands. The original Switch's 4GB of RAM is dwarfed by the rumored 12GB in the Switch 2 (indicated by leaked motherboard images showing two 6GB SK Hynix LPDDR5 modules). The potential for significantly faster RAM speeds (up to 7500MHz compared to the original's 1600MHz) further enhances performance, leading to faster texture loading and the ability to utilize a higher number of unique, high-resolution textures.

Furthermore, Dulay highlights the presence of "true volumetric lighting," a computationally expensive effect that accounts for distance and density. The inclusion of this feature, along with far-distance shadows (also demanding to render), strongly suggests a substantial power increase. The combination of increased CUDA cores, RAM capacity, and speed mitigates the performance challenges associated with these features on the original Switch.

The high texture count, high-poly character models, and real-time cloth physics on flagpoles all point to a considerable leap in processing power. Dulay's analysis provides a valuable perspective on the Switch 2's graphical capabilities, suggesting a significant upgrade over its predecessor. While more details are expected in Nintendo's April Direct, Dulay's observations offer a compelling preview of the Switch 2's potential.

What do you think of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal? --------------------------------------------------

AnswerSee Results

Trending Games More +
0.3 / 1230.00M
0.8.0 / 94.00M
v4.1.4.291 / 145.03M
Latest Games More +
Puzzle | 101.00M
TicTacToe-XOPuzzle isn't your average Tic-Tac-Toe experience; it's a vibrant collection of mini-games that reimagine classic gameplay with a modern twist. This electrifying blend of classic Tic-Tac-Toe and innovative puzzles challenges players of all skill levels, from casual gamers to seasoned puz
Action | 13.00M
Dive into the explosive action of Bomb Field, a game that will test your strategic thinking and reflexes. As the hero, you must defeat evil bricks and cunning enemies to restore peace. Strategically place bombs to clear your path, but watch out for fast-moving foes! Power-ups enhance your arsenal
Puzzle | 148.87M
Welcome to Snakes & Ladders, the classic game of chance and strategy! Embark on an exciting board game adventure filled with thrilling twists and turns as you race your opponents to the finish line. Play solo or with up to three friends for unpredictable and endlessly addictive gameplay. Roll the
Casual | 205.50M
Experience the chilling horror of a zombie apocalypse in Downfall of Our World. Play as Ethan (name customizable), an ordinary person thrust into a world ravaged by a mysterious virus. As chaos erupts, the population transforms into ravenous zombies, and your survival hangs in the balance. Navigat
Card | 42.89M
Seeking a timeless card game to sharpen your mind or unwind after a busy day? Look no further than Solitaire.net – a classic card game experience! Also known as Classic Solitaire or Patience, this app faithfully recreates the original gameplay you know and love. Arrange all cards onto the Foundati
Simulation | 108.00M
Dive into the enchanting world of "Capybara Simulator," a captivating clicker game where you become a dedicated caretaker for adorable virtual capybaras. Embark on a heartwarming journey of rescue and nurturing, transforming your virtual home into a personalized paradise for these gentle giants. B
Topics More +
Feb 26,2025 A total of 10
More
Jan 01,2025 A total of 10
More
Jan 02,2025 A total of 10
More