Nintendo Switch to get 'lots' of Unreal Engine 4 games

Manager of Epic Games Japan says that a 'lot' of UE4 games will cross over to the Nintendo Switch handheld/console hybrid.

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We've already reported that Nintendo's new Switch console-and-handheld hybrid system would leverage modern engines and APIs like Vulkan and Open GL 4.5, DICE's Frosbite 3, Unreal Engine 4, and now it looks like we can expect to see quite a few UE4 games cross over to the Switch.

Nintendo Switch to get 'lots' of Unreal Engine 4 games 430

According to NeoGAF, Epic Games Japan manager Takayuki Kawasaki says a lot of Nintendo Switch's games will use UE4, including "releases of already announced major titles and new games." Takayuki also confirmed that Dragon Quest XI would use Unreal Engine 4 on the Switch, alongside other upcoming titles including Square Enix's hotly anticipated Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Kingdom Hearts III, Tekken 7, and the yesteryear Street Fighter V.

For comparison's sake, here's a list of games that use Unreal Engine 4.

As for performance in Unreal Engine 4, we've uncovered the Nintendo Switch's UE4 graphics presets. Nintendo's new Switch hybrid can hit high graphics preset in 1080p in Unreal Engine 4 while in docked console mode, and medium GFX preset in 720p in handheld mode.

Read Also: Nintendo Switch: Type-C quick charge, no LTE, 5GHz Wi-Fi

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Nintendo Switch Unreal Engine 4 Display Profiles:

Reference: 0=low, 1=medium, 2=high, 3=Epic (ultra)

[Switch DeviceProfile]

+CVars=sg.ViewDistanceQuality=2

+CVars=sg.AntiAliasingQuality=2

+CVars=sg.ShadowQuality=2

+CVars=sg.PostProcessQuality=2

+CVars=sg.TextureQuality=2

+CVars=sg.EffectsQuality=2

+CVars=r.ScreenPercentage=100

[SwitchConsole DeviceProfile]

DeviceType=Switch

BaseProfileName=Switch

[SwitchHandheld DeviceProfile]

DeviceType=Switch

BaseProfileName=Switch

+CVars=sg.ViewDistanceQuality=1

+CVars=sg.AntiAliasingQuality=1

+CVars=sg.ShadowQuality=1

+CVars=sg.PostProcessQuality=1

+CVars=sg.TextureQuality=1

+CVars=sg.EffectsQuality=1

+CVars=r.ScreenPercentage=66

Other notable points:

  • The Switch seems to be using the full blown UE4 deferred renderer path, not the "mobile" renderer
  • UE4 defaults to use "faster FXAA" in handheld and "FXAA" in console mode.
Nintendo Switch to get 'lots' of Unreal Engine 4 games 200

The Nintendo Switch is expected to deliver varying performance across its two form factors, handheld and console mode. When taken on the go in its handheld mode, the Switch may underclock the GPU on its onboard Tegra processor to just 302MHz to ensure optimum battery life and heat mitigation, whereas the CPU is expected to stay at a steady 1050MHz. The Switch tablet handheld also reportedly features a 6.2-inch 10-point capacitive touch display locked at 720p, which would account for the GPU downclocking as well.

When the Switch is docked for home console play, it will be fully unlocked in every respect, with its GPU hitting full perf for full 1080p gaming on an HDTV.

Read Also: Nintendo Switch may use Display Port over USB Type-C

Expected Nintendo Switch specs and performance

(Note: most of this information has not been officially confirmed)

Console Mode

  • Chip type: highly-customized, revamped Tegra, possbily 20nm Maxwell or 16nm Pascal
  • Power: USB Type-C, charged docked
  • Video out: HDMI
  • GPU clock: 768MHz (max, could be variable based on game/app/program, won't always hit max perf)
  • CPU clock: 1020MHz (consistent perf)
  • System RAM: 4GB unified memory (unified VRAM and DRAM)
  • Resolution output: native 1080p switched over from handheld's 720p resolution
  • Unreal Engine 4 GFX display settings: High

Handheld Mode

  • Chip type: highly-customized, revamped Tegra, possbily 20nm Maxwell or 16nm Pascal
  • Power: USB Type-C, external charger
  • Video out: N/A
  • GPU clock: downclocked to 302MHz (maximum based on game/app/program, won't always hit max perf)
  • CPU clock: 1020MHz (consistent perf)
  • System RAM: 4GB unified memory (unified VRAM and DRAM)
  • Battery Life: ~3 Hours?
  • Resolution output: 720p resolution in 6.2-inch tablet handheld
  • Unreal Engine 4 GFX display settings: Medium

We also expect the Switch to have unique slide-on controllers that are designed to compliment specific games, and Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima corroborated these claims by saying the Switch will have an "array of different hardware add-ons and accessories."

At TweakTown we've extensively covered all Switch reports and news, and you can find a full catalog of our content here. You can also scroll down below for a bullet list of all the pertinent details.

The Nintendo Switch launches in March 2017, possibly at a $249 and $299 price point, with a major reveal including full specs, launch lineup and more being held on January 13-15, 2017. Check below for everything we know about the Nintendo Switch so far, including confirmed details, analyses, rumors, specs and more.

Everything we know about Nintendo Switch so far:

NEWS SOURCE:neogaf.com

Derek joined the TweakTown team in 2015 and has since reviewed and played 1000s of hours of new games. Derek is absorbed with the intersection of technology and gaming, and is always looking forward to new advancements. With over six years in games journalism under his belt, Derek aims to further engage the gaming sector while taking a peek under the tech that powers it. He hopes to one day explore the stars in No Man's Sky with the magic of VR.

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