NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has commended the Nintendo Switch 2, stating that the upcoming console fulfills the vision of the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who contributed to the original Switch concept before his passing in 2015.
In a Creator's Voice video published by Nintendo, Huang explained that he collaborated directly with Iwata on Nintendo's ambitious plans for a hybrid console that could deliver home console-quality gaming on the go.
After partnering with Nintendo once again on the chip technology for the Switch 2, Huang noted that the new console features "the most advanced graphics ever seen in a mobile device" and represents "a new chapter worthy of Iwata-san's original vision."
"We've collaborated with Nintendo for over ten years, united by a shared philosophy—that technology should empower creativity and that engineering joy is a pursuit worth undertaking," Huang remarked.
"I vividly recall the day Iwata-san first shared his dream with us. He envisioned a console unlike any before—powerful enough for immersive, cinematic experiences, yet portable enough to take anywhere. It seemed an impossible challenge, yet that vision ultimately became the Nintendo Switch.
"Though Iwata-san was no longer with us at launch, his insight and purpose continue to inspire our work every day," Huang continued. "Together, we dedicated immense effort to that system. Developing the Nintendo Switch required over 500 engineer-years at NVIDIA. We redesigned the entire technology stack—chip architecture, operating system, APIs, game engines—so that the magic of gaming could travel with you. The outcome is undeniable: more than 150 million units sold worldwide."
Huang added that with the Switch 2, NVIDIA and Nintendo have not only delivered the best visuals available in portable gaming but also incorporated hardware-level ray tracing and HDR support, while ensuring backward compatibility with the majority of original Switch games.
Nintendo has yet to officially announce the full technical specifications of the Switch 2, though Digital Foundry recently conducted an in-depth analysis. One notable point of discussion is the resource allocation for GameChat, which reportedly has a "significant impact" on system performance—enough to raise concerns among some developers.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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"The Switch 2 is more than just a new console," Huang concluded. "It's a new chapter that honors Iwata-san’s original vision. To our partners at Nintendo, congratulations. We are honored to share this journey with you."
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches this Thursday, June 5, and is anticipated to sell out quickly. In anticipation of high demand, Nintendo has reportedly begun distributing "Out of Stock" signage to select retailers.
IGN recently went hands-on with the Switch 2 and reported that Mario Kart World's open world differs from expectations—it is not a Nintendo-style take on Forza Horizon. The outlet also previewed the $10 mini-game collection Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is enjoyable but may have been better received as a free offering.
