Nintendo patent hints towards a brilliant Switch 2 feature that should make games look, and perform, better

A US legal patent, filed by Nintendo in July 2023 and made public on December 31 2024, has unveiled an intriguing new feature that could potentially be incorporated into the upcoming Switch 2. The console, which is shrouded in mystery within the video game industry as its official reveal is yet to happen, may have the capability to enhance gameplay by offering higher visual quality and improved performance with the implementation of the patented technology.

The patent pertains to “systems and methods for machine learned image conversions”, which bears resemblance in function to Nvidia’s DLSS tech and PlayStation’s PSSR upscaling tech. This machine learning technique enables hardware to enhance video game graphics by filling in the gaps, resulting in visuals at higher resolutions without the need for hardware typically required for such visuals.

This enhancement in visual quality does not come at the expense of performance, which is a significant advantage. This technology could be particularly beneficial for the Switch 2, which is speculated to be less powerful than current competitor consoles from Microsoft and PlayStation, allowing it to maximize its processing power effectively.

The patent itself, available for reading here, delves into technical descriptions and illustrative diagrams. Despite its complexity, there are intriguing details scattered throughout. As noted by accessibility consultant Laura Kate Dale on Bluesky, the patent suggests that this technology could reduce game sizes to better fit on “smaller capacity physical media”. Laura draws a connection to Switch cartridges, which currently have a maximum capacity of 32GB, indicating that machine learning image conversions could enable larger games to be accommodated on smaller physical hardware.

This is not the only advantageous feature Nintendo is working on, as it has already confirmed the inclusion of backward compatibility on the console, aligning with the Switch’s extensive library of exclusive titles.

All that remains is the official unveiling of the Switch 2 at some point. What other features are you anticipating the Switch 2 to offer? Any dream features in mind? Share your thoughts!