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

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.

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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.

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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:

• Nintendo Switch certified for Vulkan and OpenGL 4.5
• Nintendo Switch portable GPU speeds halved to 302MHz, docked GPU speeds only hit 768MHz max
• Nintendo Switch has higher GPU, CPU perf while docked?
• Nintendo Switch may support head-tracking mobile VR
• Nintendo Switch switches to full 1080p while docked
• Nintendo Switch to have Gamecube Virtual Console games
• Nintendo Switch listed at $245, to release March 17?
• Porting games over to Nintendo Switch might be easy
• Nintendo Switch to get full HD Pokemon Sun and Moon port
• Nintendo Switch price to start at $249, deluxe at $299
• Nintendo Switch launch games teased, 2017 will be huge
• Nintendo Switch to let you play modded Skyrim on-the-go
• Zelda Breath of the Wild may not be a Switch launch game
• Nintendo Switch may have 4GB unified memory pool
• Nintendo Switch handheld delivers console-quality gaming
• 3DS won't be cannibalized by new Switch console, Nintendo President confirms
• Nintendo Switch to have wide array of hardware add-ons
• Nintendo Switch may use USB Type-C for power
• Nintendo Switch has 6-inch 720p display with 10-point capacitive multi-touch
• Nintendo investors hate the Switch hybrid
• Everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo's new transforming handheld console hybrid
• Nintendo to reveal Switch pricing, specs, launch games and more on January 12, 2017
• 3DS won't be cannibalized by Switch, says Nintendo
• Nintendo Switch gameplay graphics and features are subject to change
• Nintendo Switch is single-screen only, says Nintendo
• Nintendo Switch to launch only as complete bundle
• Nintendo expect 2 million Switch console sales at launch
• Nintendo Switch may have extra power while docked
• Nintendo Switch isn't backward compatible with Wii U games
• Nintendo Switch's battery may only last 3 hours?
• Nintendo won't reveal full Switch console specs until 2017
• Nintendo Switch gets a much-needed splash of color
• Nintendo's new Switch console powered by NVIDIA Tegra
• Nintendo Switch may sport dedicated game video recording
• Skyrim hasn't yet been confirmed for the Nintendo Switch