Nintendo Switch 2 console likely to support Unreal Engine 5 features with performance caveats
Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 console has been the subject of a plethora of leaks and rumors in the last few weeks. Recent reports have hinted at rather substantial spec upgrades for the console, which is expected to hit the scene towards the end of this fiscal year, likely during March or April of 2025.
In a recent episode of Digital Foundry's weekly podcast, its hosts responded to a few questions put forth by their viewers, one of which was regarding whether they expect the Switch 2 to support UE5 features or not. According to the hosts, at least, the answer to that question appears to be a resounding yes.
They state, and correctly so, that the very reason why the Nintendo Switch is as successful as it is, stems from the third-party developer community. And there is a lot of merit to that statement, considering that Switch offers a gaming platform that is loved by millions. It's a simple equation: as the industry marches forward with Unreal Engine 5 at the core, Nintendo simply can't afford to lag behind, and will likely support 'almost' all of the UE5 features including Nanite, Lumen, and maybe even MegaLights with tweaks.
Of course, there's a catch or two. The experts were quick to temper expectations, noting that hardware limitations will almost certainly rear their ugly heads. To be precise, it all boils down to performance targets, and how far developers are willing to optimise to squeeze performance out of the console. Speaking of performance, the hosts were also asked how the Steam Deck might impact the platform, and the answer to that question was rather simple - despite having more powerful internals, the Steam Deck simply lacks the games that make the Switch so popular, while also being 'clunkier' to use.
Source(s)
