When it comes to video games and the hardware and tech we play them on, the team at Digital Foundry are unparalleled experts. Each week, DF Direct breaks down t...
DF Direct Weekly #208: Switch 2 Specs Breakdown, DLSS Info, Switch 2 vs Steam Deck + More!
Following on from our DF Direct Special on Switch 2, it's Rich, Oliver and Alex at the mics this week for the latest Direct, talking more about the new Nintendo hybrid, breaking down specs, how much more capable the new machine is vs Switch 1 and Steam Deck, and lots, lots more on how the games are running based on the available media.
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1:49:53
Switch 2 Unveiled - Games, Hardware, Specs + More - A DF Direct Special
After an interesting but games-lite reveal, we wanted to see much more from Switch 2 - and Nintendo has delivered, with an hour-long Direct that goes into depth on first and third-party games, hardware, new system level features and much more. Rich, Oliver and John share their notes on the show, the games and the console. And of course, there's a range of pixel counts and performance tests on some of the games we saw. Just don't go looking for any ray tracing...
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:22 Displays: 120Hz VRR HDR 1080p internal display, 4K60/1440p120 docked display output
0:10:09 Battery and battery life
0:11:55 Controller changes: GameChat, magnetic attachment, mouse control, Pro controller upgrades
0:18:14 Storage: 256 GB internal, MicroSD Express support, Game Cards and Game-Key Cards
0:26:27 Game compatibility: games with support issues, Switch 2 upgrades and Switch 2 Editions, GameCube backwards compatibility
0:38:15 Pricing: Console prices, game prices, and value
0:46:45 First party games: Mario Kart World
0:52:31 Kirby Air Riders
0:53:57 Donkey Kong Bananza
0:57:02 Third party games: The Duskbloods
1:00:39 Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, FF7 Remake, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
1:08:56 Closing thoughts on the presentation and system
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1:16:34
DF Direct Weekly #207: Nintendo Direct Reaction, Switch 2 C Button, Witcher 4/Intergalactic Next-Gen
In a rare Rich-less Direct, John, Alex and Oliver compare notes on the latest, news-packed Nintendo Direct - which raises plenty of discussion points and controversy despite no showing of Switch 2. Meanwhile, there are hints that The Witcher 4 and Intergalactic may well be cross-gen/next-gen titles, Alex vents on the quality of recent Nvidia drivers, while John shares impressions of his first ever GDC.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:17 News 1: Nintendo Direct - Metroid Prime 4
0:11:02 Pokémon Legends: Z-A
0:22:08 Patapon, Everybody’s Golf, Tomodachi, Dragon Quest, Witchbrook, Shadow Labyrinth, Gradius, Marvel Cosmic Invasion
0:33:02 Switch 2 C button leak and Nintendo Today app
0:40:01 News 2: Nintendo introduces Virtual Game Cards
0:54:01 News 3: Switch 2 game rollout revealed?
1:00:33 News 4: Witcher 4, Intergalactic to arrive after 2026
1:09:51 News 5: Alex’s Nvidia driver woes
1:19:36 News 6: John’s GDC thoughts
1:32:44 Supporter Q1: What’s your favourite GPU of all time?
1:39:07 Supporter Q2: Will Valve release a Steam Deck 2 soon?
1:44:31 Supporter Q3: Should PC settings be changed to improve branding?
1:52:02 Supporter Q4: Could Xbox One have succeeded if it had been better introduced?
2:00:12 Supporter Q5: Is disc degradation a concern with Blu-ray media?
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2:08:34
DF Direct Weekly #206: Xbox/Steam Leak, The Last of Us Part 2 PC Specs, DXR 1.2 Announcement
Another week, another DF Direct Weekly, with Rich, Alex and Oliver tackling a range of topics including the unfortunate (for Microsoft) Xbox/Steam leak and the reveal of Microsoft's DXR 1.2 - which essentially standardises key features from Nvidia's RTX 40-series to all GPU vendors. Meanwhile, Alex isn't particulary impressed by the recommended specs for The Last of Us Part 2, while Rich is probably even less taken by the PC port of Rise of the Ronin. However, the levels of disappointment here can't compare with Oliver's reaction to the Mac port of Assassin's Creed Shadows...
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:58 News 1: Xbox App Steam mock-up leaks
0:14:03 News 2: Assassin’s Creed Shadows disappoints on Mac + Supporter Shadows questions!
0:37:56 News 3: DXR 1.2 announced
0:49:02 News 4: The Last of Us Part 2 PC specs drop
0:58:56 News 5: Rise of the Ronin PC tested!
1:08:56 Supporter Q1: Should developers include a console settings preset in their PC versions?
1:19:38 Supporter Q2: Will Switch 2 have a 120Hz, VRR, HDR capable screen?
1:23:30 Supporter Q3: How long will it take for handhelds to have PS5-level power?
1:28:56 Supporter Q4: Should reviewers test PC gaming in multitasking-heavy scenarios?
1:35:24 Supporter Q5: If consoles were to disappear, would developers be able to more closely optimize their games for PC?
1:40:27 Supporter Q6: What’s Alex’s recovery regimen after reviewing a bad PC port?
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1:47:06
DF Direct Weekly #205: Xbox 'Kennan' Handheld, Death Stranding 2, Oblivion UE5, Ryzen 9 9950X3D!
Another packed DF Direct sees Rich, Alex and Oliver at the mics, discussing topics as diverse as the Project 'Kennan' Xbox handheld, the brilliant Death Stranding 2 trailer, the mooted Oblivion UE3 remake and Sony's AI character demo. Meanwhile, Rich gets scalphed on the Ryzen 9 9950X - buit look at those benchmarks! Plus: can PS5 Pro actually run FSR 4? Is cross-gen gaming here forever? And will Xbox Series X become the definitive Xbox back-compat console?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:38 News 1: Xbox-branded Windows handheld reportedly in development
0:19:36 News 2: Death Stranding 2 gets release date, new trailer
0:30:23 News 3: 9950X3D launches with impressive performance
0:46:43 News 4: Elder Scrolls Oblivion remake rumoured
0:55:51 News 5: AI Aloy prototype debuts in leaked footage
1:09:19 Supporter Q1: Have we underestimated PS5 Pro’s ML performance?
1:19:31 Supporter Q2: Is Nvidia betting on a big gaming performance increase for the 60 series?
1:26:47 Supporter Q3: Could the PS4 survive indefinitely as a platform?
1:31:30 Supporter Q4: How should we understand generational leaps for PC gaming?
1:36:10 Supporter Q5: Will the Series X become a sought-after retro console?
1:40:55 Supporter Q6: Could you produce videos showing carefully tailored experiences for certain graphics cards?
1:46:56 Supporter Q7: Is Nvidia’s focus on proprietary tech helping or hurting PC gaming?
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When it comes to video games and the hardware and tech we play them on, the team at Digital Foundry are unparalleled experts. Each week, DF Direct breaks down the latest breakthroughs in video game visuals, sound, and performance happening on PlayStation, Xbox, the most powerful PC setups, and more. If you’re a geek for graphics, GPUs, or just video games in general, DF Direct will help you get the most out of your gaming setup. DF Direct is a part of the Geek Media Podcast Network, an IGN Entertainment Brand. Visit Geek.com for more information.
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