Splatoon 3 appears to support AMD’s impressive upscaling tech
But there’s a slight catch
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Splatoon 3 is right around the corner, and it looks like the multiplayer shooter will play and run much smoother than its predecessors.
Nintendo Switchdataminer OatmealDome has found evidence thatSplatoon 3supportsAMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) upscaling tech after spotting a reference to it in the game’s manual.
FSR uses spatial upscaling that, when implemented, can improve a game’s resolution and help maintain a stable framerate with little to no impact on overall performance. You may have already seen FSR in action, as it was used in Nintendo Switch Sports, helping the game keep to a smooth 60fps that’s vital in multiplayer.
There is a slight catch here, though, as Splatoon 3 seems to be using FSR 1.0. The upgraded FSR 2.0, whichhas since been made availableto console game developers onXbox Series X, switches to temporal upscaling for an even smoother output.
[Splatoon 3]Splatoon 3 appears to be using AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 1.0.Note that this is not 2.0, which uses temporal upscaling (upscaling using data from prior frames). 1.0 uses spatial upscaling (upscaling based only on data from the current frame). https://t.co/BnxW1cYzoIAugust 18, 2022
As a bonus, OatmealDomealso spotted evidenceof Nintendo’s NPLN server system being used for Splatoon 3’s lobbies. NPLN is relatively new, being implemented by justMonster Hunter Riseand Pokémon Legends Arceus so far.
However, NPLN should allow for improved matchmaking in Splatoon 3. It attempts to match players online based on latency. If your connection quality is good, NPLN will, in theory, match you with players with a similarly solid connection. This should aid in reducing lag for an overall more stable gameplay experience.
FSR: what’s the big deal?
Many current-gen titles make full use of FSR, but it’s still something of a rarity on Switch. However, its potential implementation in Splatoon 3, following on from Nintendo Switch Sports, shows that the company is committed to giving its games all the advantages they can get.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
That’s a great thing for the Switch especially, which is relatively lacking in terms of specs when compared to the likes of thePS5and Xbox Series X. Even thebest Nintendo Switch gamescan suffer from soupy, sub-HD resolution. Particularly when played in portable mode. FSR helps minimize this issue without causing any dips in performance.
And for a game like Splatoon 3, a sharp resolution and stable framerate are paramount. It’s a fast-paced game, and even more so when you consider your surroundings are constantly shifting thanks to its gyro aim support. After all, the last thing you want is for resolution and framerate to dip as you try your best to keep on top of the action.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
Nintendo finally confirms that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible
Don’t miss this rare sale on the Nintendo Switch Lite: Animal Crossing Bundle
Phishing attacks surge in 2024 as cybercriminals adopt AI tools and multi-channel tactics
