Nintendo has exciting news for Switch enthusiasts, announcing a series of free performance upgrades for several popular Switch 1 games on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are all set to receive significant enhancements, promising a more immersive gaming experience on the new console.
According to the official statement from Nintendo's website, these upgrades will be available by connecting your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and performing a system update. This update will enable players to download free enhancements that could improve graphics and add new features like GameShare. However, the specific contents of these updates will vary from game to game.
It's important to note that these upgrades are distinct from the premium "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games. For instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom offer free upgrades exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
For Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, players can look forward to "improved image quality" tailored for high-resolution TVs and a smoother framerate for more fluid gameplay. Super Mario Odyssey will benefit from HDR support and the addition of GameShare, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other, Cappy.
Notably, the list of upgrades does not include framerate improvements for the top-down Zelda titles, which might disappoint some fans given the known performance issues in these games.
For more insights into Nintendo's plans, be sure to check out our interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, where he discusses the new Nintendo San Francisco store and other exciting developments around the Nintendo Switch.
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Here’s the list of free updates for selected Nintendo Switch games:
51 Worldwide Games
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
GameShare support: up to four people can play 34 games. Share locally or share online via GameChat.
ARMS
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. Framerate: optimised for Nintendo Switch 2 for smoother movement (even when playing with three or more players). HDR support
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
GameShare support: up to four people can play in Party Mode. Share locally or share online via GameChat.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. HDR support GameShare support: two people can play all of the courses. Share locally or share online via GameChat.
Game Builder Garage
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. Supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. Framerate: improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. Framerate: improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2 (including Bowser's Fury). HDR support GameShare compatibility: up to four people can play Super Mario 3D World. In Bowser's Fury, two people can play together, with one player controlling Mario and the other controlling Bowser Jr. Share locally or share online via GameChat.
Super Mario Odyssey
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. HDR support GameShare support: two people can play together, with one player controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy. Share locally or share online via GameChat.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. HDR support
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Software update release date: 05/06/2025
Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. HDR support
