--- title: 'DLSS 5 First Hands-On at PAX West 2026' source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=xclUpj-Scec' video_id: 'xclUpj-Scec' date: 2026-09-10 duration_sec: 253 channel: 'IGN' --- # DLSS 5 First Hands-On at PAX West 2026 > Source: [DLSS 5 First Hands-On at PAX West 2026](https://youtube.com/watch?v=xclUpj-Scec) ## Summary At PAX West 2026, IGN's Sarandon joins NVIDIA at the Razer booth to demo DLSS 5, running for the first time publicly in NBA 2K27 on the Razer Blade 18 laptop. The feature aims to make games look more lifelike through enhanced lighting, materials, and shadows. ### Key Points - **First Public DLSS 5 Demo** [00:15] — NVIDIA's Jacob explains that DLSS 5 is a developer tool to add lifelike materials and lighting, with NBA 2K27 being the first game to showcase it. - **Visual Enhancements** [00:49] — DLSS 5 introduces realistic lighting, contact shadows when players touch the ball, and subsurface scattering for skin and hair transparency. - **Side-by-Side Comparison** [01:34] — When toggled off, DLSS provides a significant difference, with user Neff noting it feels like watching a real broadcast. - **Player Realism** [02:00] — Fan reactions highlight more accurate skin tones, face and body shadows, and a natural appearance compared to the washed-out look when DLSS is off. - **High-Detail Rendering** [02:44] — DLSS 5 enhances hair, jerseys, and facial imperfections, with textures becoming visible on both players and NPCs. - **NPC Depth** [03:16] — NPCs gain depth and definition in their clothing and faces, a level of detail typically reserved for main characters. - **Availability** [03:51] — DLSS 5 is available to test in NBA 2K27 on GeForce RTX 50 series, with NVIDIA pushing gaming tech boundaries. ## Transcript Hey guys, what's up? It's Sarandon here at PAX West 2026 and I'm at the Razer booth checking out the first public hands-on demo for DLSS5. Let's check it out. I'm here with Jacob, our favorite NVIDIA expert. Tell us what fans can experience here today on the Razer Blade 18 laptop. Yeah, so here at PAX West, what we have is the first ever public demonstration of DLSS 5 running in NBA 2K27. So what DLSS 5 is, is a tool for developers to add more lifelike materials, lighting into their game. Now, what does this look like in practice for players? What can they look out for when they're playing the game? Yes, so what you'll see in NBA 2K27 with DLSS 5 is you're going to see more realistic lighting, more realistic materials, more realistic shadows as well. like when characters or the players touch the ball, you'll see contact shadows on there. You'll see subsurface scattering also, which is a simulation of how light penetrates thin objects skin hair things like that So overall it just look like you watching an NBA game it pretty amazing It about to look real and honestly I wanna see it for myself Can we check it out Yeah, of course. Let's check it out! So, who are we with, and what are we playing? My name is Neff, and we're playing some 2K27. So like, the intention with DLSS 5 is for just to feel like you're watching a broadcast, or to feel very realistic. Like, playing the game right now, Are you getting that vibe from it? I'm definitely getting the vibe. It feels like I'm watching a game, which is kind of trippy. So Neff, we're going to pause in on some of your replay. And I just want to get your first reaction. Right now, the DLSS 5 is on. But I want to see what you think when we turn it off for the first time. DLSS is definitely doing a lot of work. Significant difference. It looks amazing. So I'm with Tina. And Tina, we're looking at the GOAT himself. Right now, the DLSS 5 is off. I'm going to turn it on and see what you're thinking, OK? So he looks more realistic when it's on, because he's got face shadows, body shadows, so more accurate lighting I agree Even his skin tone to me it kind of looked a little purple Yep He was washed out Now it more natural Yeah I agree Even like his skin tone like to me went it kind of looked a little purple Yep he was washed out now it more natural Yeah I agree looks incredible Deadpool is everywhere how's it going man? I'm doing fantastic how are you? I'm doing good so wanted to get your first impressions on the DLSS 5. Right now we're looking at the brand new 2k27 and we have it off so I'm gonna turn it on and I want to just see what you think what your first thoughts are you ready? I'm ready. All right. Oh wow. Yeah you really see every texture on his face that's amazing. Are there certain details as I turn it on and off that you're seeing come in more like visibly when I turn it on? Yeah the shading and just like just the little imperfections on his face kind of really come out. It's kind of amazing actually that's really cool. How about the hair? What are you seeing different with the hair? You see every little follicle. And what about his shirt? Are there There are certain differences that you're noticing with his jersey as well. It really sits naturally on him. And it just like the lighting and the textures of it and everything Because I know they kind of a weird texture for jerseys So it really cool it comes up like that Even the NPCs look amazing with this feature on like look at the detail and the texture that's being added to the clothing by just toggling this on and off. It goes from just looking super flat to actually adding depth and definitions to their face. NPCs that far back don't usually get that type of detail but just like what is even added to that it's incredible. Photo mode on this game is going to be insane. Like, Jack Quaid, dude, you need to get into this. I want to see what you do with this game. This looks so realistic, and it's just the beginning. I'm not even a game photographer like that, so I want to see what the pros do with it. Wow, that looks great. NVIDIA is constantly pushing the boundaries of gaming tech, and DLSS 5 is a huge leap forward for the gaming industry. You can try it out for yourself now in NBA 2K27 on GeForce RTX 50 series. What NBA team are you trying out first? Let me know in the comments. And for all things gaming, keep it right here on IGN.