Nintendo Switch Successor Patent Confirms Nvidia DLSS AI Upscaling Feature

Nintendo has officially filed a new patent confirming the integration of Nvidia's DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) AI upscaling technology in its forthcoming Switch successor.

The recent filing, which follows earlier reports on the topic, represents a significant shift for the Nintendo hardware ecosystem and signals the company's commitment to leveraging advanced graphics solutions to enhance the gameplay experience on its next-generation console. The patent describes the use of Nvidia's DLSS, a technology well-known for its ability to upscale native graphics to higher resolutions using artificial intelligence.

By processing lower-resolution images and using deep learning to render detailed visuals, DLSS allows games to run more efficiently while delivering higher visual fidelity - a method already popularized on PC gaming platforms utilizing Nvidia GPUs. Nintendo's patent details an innovative use case for DLSS, not only for boosting resolution but also for reducing the overall size of game files distributed on physical media.

Industry journalist Laura Kate Dale highlights the patent's example scenario: "A game that features native 4K textures might typically require a 60GB download.

With this technology, developers could instead package a 1080p version, reducing the file size to around 20GB.

This substantial reduction would allow the title to fit comfortably on a 32GB Switch game card, the current maximum capacity produced for the Switch platform.

In real-time, DLSS would then upscale those lower-resolution assets to 4K quality on the device." This approach addresses ongoing challenges for Nintendo and third-party developers seeking to deliver modern, graphically rich games on physical cartridges.

By reducing the native size of game assets, the technology offers the potential for more expansive and content-rich titles to be released without requiring large downloads or additional storage solutions on the upcoming hardware. While Nintendo has yet to formally announce specific hardware details for the Switch successor, the patent filing provides official confirmation of Nvidia's DLSS as a cornerstone of the system's graphical capabilities.

This strategic partnership not only highlights Nintendo's ongoing relationship with Nvidia but also positions the new console as a competitive platform in the current generation of gaming hardware. The Nintendo Switch, originally launched in March 2017, has sold over 130 million units globally, making it one of the best-selling consoles in history.

With the integration of cutting-edge AI upscaling technologies like Nvidia DLSS, Nintendo is poised to continue its legacy of innovative hardware design, balancing performance, portability, and accessibility on the next evolution of the Switch family.

Nintendo Switch Nvidia DLSS Xbox Series X|S AI patent Switch successor Nintendo Switch Nvidia DLSS