Project Helix is Microsoft’s next‑gen Xbox, and it’s officially confirmed to play both Xbox and PC games while targeting high‑end TV setups. Nintendo’s Switch 2 uses a custom Nvidia Ampere chip with DLSS and 12 GB of LPDDR5X memory, but it still sits in a mobile‑class power envelope. For Marathon, you should expect Helix to feel closer to a mid‑to‑high‑end PC, while any Switch 2 release would lean on reconstruction and lower settings, although Bungie has not confirmed platform‑specific performance yet.
| Topic | Confirmed facts | Still unconfirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Project Helix role | Next‑gen Xbox console that “leads in performance” and runs Xbox and PC games.gadgets360+5 | CPU/GPU counts, memory size, price, launch window, and exact TFLOPs.tomsguide+2 |
| PC angle on Helix | Microsoft says Helix will play PC titles alongside Xbox games, using a custom AMD SoC and PC‑style features.gadgets360+4 | Exact storefront support (Steam, Epic, GOG) and how PC libraries will integrate.dlcompare+2 |
| Switch 2 specs | Nvidia Ampere T239, 1,536 CUDA cores, 12 GB LPDDR5X, DLSS, higher storage speed, and 1080p handheld screen.nintendolife+3 | Per‑game performance over the full generation and long‑term use of ray‑tracing. |
| Marathon platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC with cross‑play and cross‑save.marathon-game+2 |
Right now, Microsoft has shared the Helix concept and its hybrid Xbox‑plus‑PC role, but not a full spec sheet. Bungie also has not published exact resolution or frame‑rate targets for Marathon on unlaunched hardware. So you can speak confidently about Helix as a performance‑oriented PC‑console hybrid and about Switch 2 as a DLSS‑powered handheld‑hybrid, but any hard numbers for Marathon on these systems remain unconfirmed.
What Project Helix Is (And What Microsoft Has Confirmed)
Project Helix is the codename for Microsoft’s next‑generation Xbox console, announced publicly in early March 2026 by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. Microsoft describes Helix as a fixed‑spec console that “leads in performance” and lets you play both Xbox games and PC games on your TV.
Confirmed points so far:
-
Helix is the next‑gen Xbox console, not a handheld.
-
It will run Xbox titles and Windows PC games.
-
Microsoft positions it as a powerful living‑room box, similar in role to a fixed gaming PC.
-
Microsoft plans to brief partners and studios on Helix at GDC 2026.
Microsoft and AMD have confirmed work on a custom x86 SoC for Helix, but they have not shared official counts for CPU cores, GPU units, memory capacity, price, or launch date. Those details still live in leak territory, so you should treat any specific numbers as unconfirmed.
Switch 2 Hardware: The Confirmed Specs
Nintendo has already locked in the core hardware for Switch 2 and outlined its capabilities. The system uses a custom Nvidia T239 SoC based on Ampere, with modern CPU cores, a much stronger GPU than the original Switch, and DLSS support.
Key confirmed specs:
-
CPU: 8 ARM Cortex A78C cores, with docked clocks around 1 GHz and higher boost behaviour.
-
GPU: Ampere‑based with 1,536 CUDA cores, roughly 1.7 TFLOPs handheld and just over 3 TFLOPs docked.
-
RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5X; 9 GB available for games, 3 GB reserved for the system.
-
Bandwidth: About 102 GB/s docked and 68 GB/s handheld.
-
Features: DLSS, limited ray‑tracing support, faster UFS storage, and a 1080p handheld display with HDR and 120 Hz support.
This design gives Switch 2 a big leap over the original Switch, but Nintendo still tunes the hardware for efficiency and portability, not to match a power‑hungry living‑room box.
Helix vs Switch 2: What That Means For Performance
Because Microsoft has not released Helix’s full specs, the safest way to compare its performance with Switch 2 is to look at intent and form factor. Helix targets high‑end TV play with PC‑level features, while Switch 2 targets hybrid play with smart scaling and DLSS.
For players, that likely means:
-
On Helix, modern shooters can push higher native resolutions, more stable high frame‑rate modes, and heavier visual presets, much like a mid‑range or better PC.
-
On Switch 2, those same games will rely more on DLSS and dynamic resolution to keep frame‑rates acceptable, especially in docked 4K output.
Well‑optimized titles that use reconstruction can still feel responsive on both platforms, especially at 60 fps. If you care most about competitive shooters and high refresh displays, Helix is the more natural match based on its PC‑style pitch and performance focus.
How Marathon Fits Into All Of This
Marathon is Bungie’s extraction‑style PvPvE shooter with cross‑play and cross‑save across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Bungie has confirmed those platforms, but has not announced native Helix or Switch 2 versions yet.
Current public info tells you:
-
Marathon runs on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with full cross‑play and cross‑save.
-
The core loop focuses on extractions, risk‑reward looting, and tight squad fights, which all benefit from stable frame‑rates and low input latency.
If Helix receives a native Marathon version, Bungie can treat that box like a fixed‑spec PC: one hardware target, plenty of headroom, and room for higher frame‑rate options and heavier effects. A potential Switch 2 port would need further compromises, such as lower base resolution, DLSS in docked mode, and more aggressive cuts to foliage, effects, and simulation detail.
At this point, any claim about exact frame‑rates, ray‑tracing modes, or resolution targets on Helix or Switch 2 would go beyond what Bungie or Microsoft have shared. You should wait for official technical breakdowns, beta tests on those platforms, or post‑launch Digital Foundry‑style reports before you lock in numbers.
