Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2 Will Use NVIDIA's DLSS Technology

Image via Nintendo and CD Projekt RED

CD Projekt RED has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, one of the most anticipated launch titles for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, will utilize NVIDIA's DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology. This makes it the first confirmed game to use this AI-powered upscaling system on Nintendo's new console.

According to information shared with Digital Foundry (via Eurogamer), a representative from CD Projekt RED stated, "We're using a version of DLSS available for Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, powered by NVIDIA's Tensor cores. The game utilizes DLSS in all four modes: in handheld and docked, and the performance and quality variations of each."

DLSS works by rendering games at a lower resolution and then using artificial intelligence (AI) to upscale the image to a higher resolution. This technology helps improve performance (by reducing the GPU's workload) while maintaining good visual quality. For the Switch 2, which needs to balance performance with its portable nature, this could be a game-changer.

The Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 will offer different graphics options depending on how you play. When connected to a TV (docked mode), players can choose between a 30fps "Quality" mode and a 40fps "Performance" mode. Both modes will output at 1080p resolution with dynamic resolution scaling working alongside DLSS.

For handheld play, the game will still offer two modes. The "Quality" mode targets 30fps with a 1080p output resolution, while the "Performance" mode drops to 720p resolution but aims for a smoother 40fps. Digital Foundry reports that the 40fps performance mode would likely require a TV or the handheld screen to run at 120Hz refresh rate.

The actual rendering resolution before upscaling can vary significantly. CD Projekt RED confirmed that "scaling can range from 2x and up per axis," meaning the game could be rendering at resolutions as low as 540p (for docked mode) or 360p (for handheld performance mode) before DLSS upscales it to the final output resolution.

Despite DLSS, Digital Foundry noted that early builds showed performance drops and visible "jaggies" in footage, possibly due to the game rendering at lower internal resolutions or unoptimized post-processing. However, the build tested was seven weeks old, with optimization ongoing before the June 5, 2025, launch.

This port is a technical benchmark for the Switch 2, showcasing its ability to handle demanding AAA titles through DLSS, though challenges remain in achieving consistent performance.