Tag Archives: Console Gaming

Gaming, News

The Nintendo Switch 2 Is Gonna Be As Powerful as the PlayStation 4

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Nintendo is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of its next-gen console, currently dubbed ‘Nintendo Switch 2’ by the internet. If rumours are to be believed we could be seeing the Switch 2 hit markets in 2024. However, while the official name remains shrouded in secrecy, details about its power and performance have begun to surface, thanks to insider information from Activision.

turned on red and green nintendo switch
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

But before we get into those details, it looks like the upcoming console made its debut behind closed doors at the recent Gamescom. In this sneak peek, Nintendo discreetly unveiled tech demos to specially invited developers, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what the future might hold for the gaming giant. During this closed-door showcase, it’s been reported that Nintendo showcased several games including an enhanced version of “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”; all of which were running with high frame rates. However, what’s more interesting is that the console also ran the “Matrix Awakens” tech demo powered by Unreal Engine 5 which was used to demonstrate the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in 2021. It was able to deliver graphics on par with current-gen consoles complete with DLSS and ray tracing.

Keep in mind that Nintendo had filed patents back in March 2020 that hinted at potential AI upscaling technology, similar to the Switch’s core functionality. These patents, made public in 2021, describe a process where a game can run at one resolution while the device operates on battery power but can upscale to 1080p when plugged into a power source or connected to a TV. The patent even suggests that other upscaling processes, including upscaling to 4K, could be possible.

Recent developments, including Activision’s potential acquisition by Microsoft, have led to the revelation of confidential Activision emails that shed light on the Switch 2’s capabilities. Chris Schnakenberg, Head of Activision’s Platform Strategy and Partner Relations, delivered a briefing about the “Switch NG” (Switch Next Generation) to top-tier Activision executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick. In this briefing, Schnakenberg compared the Nintendo Switch 2’s performance to that of “Gen8 platforms,” referring to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

a close up shot of a nintendo switch
Photo by Michael Adeleye on Pexels.com

The information provided in these documents stems from Schnakenberg’s direct interaction with Nintendo in late 2022, giving weight to its credibility. Furthermore, Bobby Kotick leveraged this information as part of his preparation for a meeting with Nintendo’s CEO and President, Shuntaro Furukawa, on December 15, 2022, further reinforcing the reliability of these insights.

The Nintendo Switch 2’s performance, closely aligned with that of the PS4 and Xbox One, may raise questions about its competitiveness with current-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, this should not be a cause for concern for Nintendo enthusiasts. The unique appeal of the Nintendo Switch lies in its hybrid nature, allowing players to seamlessly transition between handheld and TV modes. Attempting to match the raw power of the PS5 would be an impractical endeavour for a portable device.

Nintendo has a track record of prioritizing gameplay experiences over cutting-edge graphics. The original Switch itself was technically a generation behind when it debuted over six years ago, yet it continues to thrive in the market. For Nintendo, graphical prowess has never been the primary focus.

a nintendo switch and a bunch of super mario game items
Photo by Mao Batista on Pexels.com

Nintendo’s success lies squarely in Switch 2’s improved performance and its potential to attract third-party developers. Currently, the Nintendo Switch struggles to handle modern games that are optimized for higher-end hardware, often necessitating significant compromises in graphics and performance. The Switch 2 has the potential to resolve this issue, making it a more attractive platform for developers and offering gamers a broader selection of titles.

Moreover, Nintendo has a rich library of exclusive franchises, including Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Donkey Kong, and Metroid, which have consistently driven sales regardless of the console’s graphical capabilities. However, without third-party developers working on the new Switch 2, it would be a tough battle ahead for Nintendo. That said, the Nintendo Switch has already proven itself as a capable console even with its limited hardware. More and more developers are adopting the hardware as it gains popularity thanks to its hybrid nature.

Computers, Gaming, Lifestyle, News

Valve Announces the Steam Deck – Proper PC Gaming in Nintendo Switch-esque Package.

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When Nintendo Switch was first teased, the PC gaming market went a little wild. Independent manufacturers took bold steps and packed all they can into a package that resembles the Nintendo Switch running the Windows platform. Despite the fact that most of these devices packs a notebook PC APU with no discreet GPU, they sold them as handheld gaming devices. To be fair, those were good attempts to squish portable gaming devices (gaming laptops) to an even more portable size. In theory also, you get the best gaming experience that is PC gaming.

Obviously, cramming PC grade hardware into constricted space is no mean feat. Most of the handheld gaming ‘PCs’ are thicker than your college textbooks and are as heavy as a brick. You need to fit cooling fans, thermal management systems, storage, RAM, and whatever else you have on a regular laptop into the small package. On top of all of that, you need to fit the controllers too. We thought that we will never see the day a handheld gaming device that can run PC games looking like a Nintendo Switch anytime soon.

Imagine our surprise then when Valve came out to say they have made a handheld gaming device that runs all your PC games. While it should not be a big surprise, it did catch the world off guard a little bit. Valve is not new in creating console peripherals for the PC gaming industry though. They were also responsible for creating something called the Steam Controller a few years back, we never saw the product ourselves though.

Screenshot 2021 07 16 at 14 36 55 Steam Deck Hardware
Source: Steam Deck

The Steam Deck, they call it. It really looks like a Nintendo Switch that is permanently stuck to two third-party Joy Con controllers. You do not get the funky colours of the Nintendo Switch though. Instead, you get a completely gun metal black finish that gives it a more edgy look.

It is built to run the Steam interface on its 7-inch 720p (1,280 x 800) LCD display with 60Hz refresh rate. It is built to run games on your Steam Library on that exact same display at that resolution too. You can get better displays from smartphone devices today, obviously. The issue with better and faster displays is that it presents a very real bottleneck for modern PC games, so some level of sacrifice would be required on portable handheld devices.

Keeping the display running at full chat is an AMD Zen 2 architecture CPU (four-core, eight thread) that is also paired to RDNA 2 GPU (eight CU) custom APU for the Steam Deck. You get 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM that is non-replaceable. 16GB of RAM is ample though for a gaming PC. They even pack it with up to 512GB in an NVMe PCIe SSD format to keep things trundling along at breakneck speeds.

The controller layout does look a little weird because the D-pad lines up with the joystick. The layout is necessary though to fit the touch pads for a more intuitive navigation for the Steam Deck. The 7-inch display is also a touch sensitive display, if you really cannot figure out the controller navigation.

  • rcc hero
    Source: Steam Deck
  • rcc thumbstick
    Source: Steam Deck
  • rcc trigger
    Source: Steam Deck
  • rcc back
    Source: Steam Deck
  • hardware touchscreen
    Source: Steam Deck
  • hardware trackpads
    Source: Steam Deck
  • gyro
    Source: Steam Deck
  • Screenshot 2021 07 16 at 14 36 36 Steam Deck Hardware
    Source: Steam Deck
  • Screenshot 2021 07 16 at 14 36 55 Steam Deck Hardware
    Source: Steam Deck

Obviously, the Steam Deck runs on Steam’s custom interface. However, it is also built as a PC complete with a dock and everything with proper I/O. That also means that you can run it as a PC on a desktop display or a TV if you really want to. It runs on Linux though, so you do not get the Windows experience here. Still, you can run third-party apps on Steam Deck, something you cannot do on any other gaming consoles.

Valve’s Steam Deck comes in three flavours when it is available later in December 2021 and beyond. These are not colour options though, rather three storage options. At the most basic you are getting a 64GB eMMC internal storage. A step above that is a 256GB NVMe SSD. At the top of the food chain is a 512GB storage option. All variants come with a MicroSD expansion slot, so you still can get a MicroSD card for more storage if you need to. Prices start from US$ 399 (MYR 1,676*) for the most basic version and tops out at US$ 649 (MYR 2,727*). Compared to the Nintendo Switch, the entry level price is still more expensive. At the top as well, the Steam Deck is approximately US$ 150 (MYR 630*) more than current generation gaming consoles. You do not get to bring around your Steam Library with you on the other consoles though.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.20 on xe.com as of 16/07/2021

Android, Gaming, Mobile, News

Qualcomm Working On Gaming Hardware Similar to the Nintendo Switch

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How do you know when you have a winning product? Well, if you’re Nintendo, it’s when everyone seems to be looking at mimicking it. In a report from Android Police, it looks like Qualcomm might be the latest in line with plans to create a gaming console similar to Nintendo’s money making Switch.

While it may seem like Qualcomm is looking to get into the console gaming space, the report says otherwise. Instead, the company is looking to spur innovation for its partners in adopting new, unconventional form factors for devices. This also means that the device could likely be a limited run – unless Qualcomm is working to get into the hardware space.

playing relax game controller
Photo by Lucie Liz on Pexels.com

The Qualcomm powered mobile gaming console looks to be mimicking the form factor of the Nintendo Switch. According to Android Police, it shares the same detachable “joycon” controllers. However, the console itself seems to be resembling a thicker smartphone. The chonky design choice is apparently meant to help with cooling which will allow Qualcomm to push the processor a little bit harder. Speaking of, it seems like the console will be coming with the next generation Qualcomm processor. This seems to be supported by the fact that Qualcomm is looking to release it sometime in Q1 of 2022.

The console will apparently be equipped with 5G connectivity albeit with the current generation X55 modem. It’s expected to come with the standard array of connectivity options we see in standard mobile phones. This includes GPS, Bluetooth, accelerometers and some haptics. However, it’s uncertain whether Qualcomm will be using a standard chip design or using specially customised one like the Snapdragon 855+ which was on the ROG Phone. It’s reported to have an SD Card slot as well and a large 6,000mAh battery. No screen size has been confirmed however, Android Police and XDA Editor in Chief Mishaal Rahman estimates it to be about 6.65-inches. It’s uncertain whether the console will comes with a dedicated port for TV out or go with the USB-C port like the Nintendo Switch. However, the console will be running Android 12 with a customised skin.

That aside, it looks like Qualcomm might be gearing up for some serious gaming content. The console will apparently be launching with Epic Game’s app. The company is also looking to build its own content library portal for the console. It’s still unclear if they will be teaming up with XBOX, NVIDIA or Google Stadia for even more content but it’s likely that they are looking to keep most of the gaming content offline to showcase the graphics capabilities of their SoC.

The move is an interesting one given the current landscape where we are seeing an increasing number of people gaming on mobile. However, it could also indicate that Qualcomm might be signalling that it’s ready to start making chips for portable consoles like the Nintendo Switch. This would be a big jump as the Switch currently uses a customised NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor while other consoles like the PS5 come with a customised AMD processor. The push for unconventional form factors is another interesting move from Qualcomm and could be the impetus we need to see an other N.Gage hit the scene.

Gaming, News

Meet DualSense, Your PlayStation 5 Controller

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Sony has unveiled the final design for the upcoming PlayStation 5 controllers. The first thing to take note of: it’s not the DualShock 5. Sony is renaming its controllers to DualSense; and for good reason. The new controllers are pioneering new features we’ve not seen in any DualShock controller of the past. In fact, we may have not even seen them on any XBox or Nintendo controller to date.

The aesthetics of PlayStation controller of the past is also out the window with DualSense. The new DualSense controllers will now come with a two tone finish. A change that we are excited about. The new two tone finish puts a rather futuristic finish on what was once a drab single tone coloured design. However, we’ve seen Sony toy around with this idea in some of the later editions of the DualShock 4 controllers.

“DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5. The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games – continuing our mission at PlayStation to push the boundaries of play, now and in the future. To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head toward PS5’s launch in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console design, in the coming months.”

Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment

Of course, aesthetics aside, we know that Sony is focusing on the gamer experience when it comes to the PlayStation 5. In fact, the company explained, at length, the technology in the PS5 which includes a new focus on audio called Tempest 3D AudtioTech. The same considerations for immersive gaming came into play with designing the PS5’s DualSense controllers. The new controllers will be the first from Sony to feature haptic feedback. The adoption of haptic feedback technology will allow developers to enhance the gaming experience by increasing the level of detail when it comes to touch. Sony touts the grittiness of driving a car through mud as one of the examples.

In addition, Sony has also brought some change to the design of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controllers. The L2 and R2 buttons will also have adaptive technology. Sony’s new adaptive triggers will allow developers to program finer details into the triggers. Resistance and perhaps multi stop functionality will probably come with the adaptive triggers. The angle of the triggers have also been adjusted for better ergonomics and to make space for the many components of the controller.

Sony has also replaced the Share button with a “Create” button. Sony claims that they are “…once again pioneering new ways for players to create epic gameplay content to share with the world..”. However, they didn’t elaborate on what they meant – yet. Sony has also included a built in mic array to make it easier for gamers to communicate. That said, the company said that the feature shouldn’t replace a proper gaming headset in the long term.

The new DualSense controller also features a redesign which takes the traditional DualShock design and throws it out the window. Gone are the rounded tops with conical protrusions. Instead, Sony has opted to go with a more boomerang like design that looks more ergonomic than previous designs. The company also reassures us that the controller is smaller than it looks. Another major change is the placement of the lightbar. Instead of being front and centre like the DualShock 4, the lightbar is now flanking the touchpad on either side. Smaller details such as the analogue control design has also been changed. According to PushSquare Sony has changed the analogue sticks to have a textured outer rim with a smoothed center section.

Overall, the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller builds upon the successful base of the DualShock 4. It also holds Sony’s intention of pushing “the boundaries of play” when it comes to their new console. The PS5 is set to launch later this year. To be specific – during Holiday 2020.