Jensen Huang on Nintendo Switch 2’s Unique NVIDIA Chip: “Unlike Anything Before”

Nintendo’s Switch 2 hybrid console hits stores tomorrow, June 5, and the company is pulling out all the stops with its pre-launch buzz! They’ve brought in a big name—NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang—to share some fascinating details during the excitement. By now, NVIDIA’s Tegra “T239” chip for the Switch 2 isn’t exactly a secret, thanks to years of leaks and even some disabled units being studied up close in China. Still, no one expected Nintendo to be so open about the Switch 2’s hardware power. Their “Creator’s Voice” video series has already featured big third-party developers like CD Projekt RED, but yesterday’s chat with NVIDIA’s CEO really stole the spotlight.

nIn4VanI9TGtapL2 — Image credit: Nintendo

Jensen took a moment to honor Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s beloved former president who passed away before the first Switch launched. Their partnership began back during the original Switch’s development. “Iwata wanted to create something totally new—a console strong enough for big, cinematic games but small enough to take anywhere,” Jensen shared. “It sounded impossible, but that vision became the Nintendo Switch. We lost Iwata-san before it launched, but his clear focus still guides us every day. We put everything we had into that system.” As we heard back in April, NVIDIA went all-in to make their latest tech wonder.

QhwsCJJr6WU9pFXA — Image credit: Nintendo

Jensen then broke down what makes the Switch 2’s chip so special: “To build on that original dream, we had to rethink everything. The chip in the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlike anything we’ve ever made. It’s got the best graphics ever seen in a handheld, full hardware ray tracing, and high dynamic range (HDR) for brighter lights and darker shadows. It also supports backward compatibility, so you can play older games. Plus, it has dedicated AI processors to make gameplay sharper and more lively in real time. The chip uses very little power—we fine-tuned the tech to deliver high performance in a handheld, so it can go wherever you do. The Switch 2 isn’t just a new console; it’s a new chapter that honors Iwata-san’s vision.”

In the video’s description, Nintendo added, “In this special edition of Creator’s Voice, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang shares insights into the creation of Nintendo Switch 2’s custom processor.”