Nvidia's DLSS 5 launches with NBA 2K27, but only for RTX 50-series

NBA 2K27 is the only game to support the technology at launch. Other titles shown during Nvidia's March announcement, including Resident Evil Requiem, EA Sports FC, Starfield, and Hogwarts Legacy, do not yet support it, and Nvidia has not said when they might. The company also did not answer questions about whether previously confirmed titles will still include the feature.

In a March reveal that drew widespread criticism, Nvidia showed DLSS 5 altering character faces, leading to accusations of 'AI slop' and a wave of memes. Nvidia described the technology as its 'most significant breakthrough in computer graphics since the debut of real-time ray tracing in 2018,' but critics pointed to the 'yassification' of Resident Evil Requiem protagonist Grace Ashcroft as an example of how easily the AI could distort a game's art. The company now says the initial demo used the maximum slider settings.

Early hands-on reports from Gamescom, where DLSS 5 was shown in NBA 2K27, were more positive. TechRadar staff writer Isaiah said he was 'genuinely impressed' and found the effect subtle, with added realism in player faces and environments. The Verge also reported that the changes in NBA 2K27 were far less dramatic than in the March reveal. Visual Concepts, the game's developer, fine-tuned the DLSS 5 model, and Nvidia stressed that developers can control the intensity through multiple sliders and three AI models, with options for 'default,' 'natural,' or 'cinematic' looks.

Developers can also use masking tools to apply DLSS 5 selectively, such as leaving character faces untouched while enhancing foliage, food, or other objects. The Verge's explainer noted that DLSS 5 is deterministic, meaning it should produce consistent results rather than the unpredictable outputs of other generative AI tools. Nvidia's Edward Liu said the enhanced render frame provides 'a lot more information dense and constrained compared to something like a text prompt.'

Performance remains a significant hurdle. Nvidia estimates DLSS 5 reduces frame rates by 50 to 60 percent, and The Verge saw a 50 percent drop when testing an unofficial mod in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The initial DLSS 5 demos required two RTX 5090 GPUs, but Nvidia says any RTX 50-series card can now run the feature, and it claims a single RTX 5060 can handle NBA 2K27 at 1080p with ray tracing and DLSS 5 on ultra settings if 6x frame generation is enabled. TechRadar reported an RTX 5060 laptop running the game smoothly with 2x frame generation. DLSS 5 is exclusive to RTX 50-series GPUs at launch, though Nvidia said it will explore supporting older GeForce cards eventually.

Engadget was unconvinced, calling DLSS 5 'not very essential' and arguing it is mainly for 'pixel-peeping sickos.' While the outlet acknowledged that a carefully tuned implementation can add realistic shadows and texture, it noted that the feature is another resource-hungry option that most games will not need. Engadget quoted Nvidia's Edward Liu as saying the company's ultimate goal is to reach 'Hollywood-grade photorealism,' but acknowledged 'a chasm' remains in simulating the real world in real time.