Nintendo recently unveiled its Switch 2 model in early April, revealing a commitment to enhance around a dozen first-party games with free updates designed to leverage the new console’s capabilities. While these updates were expected to be less extensive compared to the paid upgrade packs, such as those for titles like Breath of the Wild and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, initial game-specific information was sparse.
This week, Nintendo provided further details on its support page regarding the benefits players can expect with these revamped older titles on the new hardware. Most game updates will include “improved image quality” and optimizations tailored for the Switch 2’s display. Additionally, several games will benefit from enhancements such as GameShare multiplayer, new Joy-Con mouse controls, and HDR TV support, among others.
The most noteworthy updates involve significant frame rate improvements for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which were launched in late 2022. Many recent Switch titles have experienced inconsistencies in frame rate, largely due to the aging tablet processor that powered the console since its 2017 debut. Performance issues in the main-series Pokémon games were especially pronounced, prompting a rare apologetic statement from Nintendo that promised future enhancements. While earlier patches offered some relief, they failed to achieve a consistently stable frame rate. The hope is that the new hardware will address these long-standing performance issues.
All updates will be available starting June 5, coinciding with the launch of the Switch 2. Below is the complete list of first-party games and their respective enhancements:
- Arms
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
Frame rate: Smoother movement optimized for Nintendo Switch 2
HDR support - Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
HDR support
GameShare support - Super Mario Odyssey
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
HDR support
GameShare support - Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
Frame rate: Smoother movement optimized for Nintendo Switch 2 (including Bowser’s Fury)
HDR support (Bowser’s Fury only)
GameShare support - Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
GameShare support - The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
HDR support - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
HDR support - Game Builder Garage
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
Supports new Joy-Con mouse controls - New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality - Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
Visuals: Enhanced for Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality
Frame rate: Improved performance on Nintendo Switch 2 - Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
GameShare support
Third-party developers are expected to follow suit by issuing their own updates tailor-made for the Switch 2 version of their games. Nintendo is currently evaluating compatibility across the existing library of Switch titles and plans to provide further updates on this front later this month, ahead of the June launch.
