Nintendo has announced an exciting list of Switch 1 games that will receive free performance upgrades when played on the new Nintendo Switch 2. Titles like Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those set to benefit from these enhancements.
According to Nintendo's official statement on their website:
By connecting your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and performing a system update, you can download free updates for selected games that may improve graphics or add support for features such as GameShare. The contents of these free updates will differ depending on the game.
It's important to note that these upgrades are complimentary and 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 to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
For Switch 2 owners, the upgrades promise significant improvements. For example, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will feature "improved image quality" for high-resolution TVs and an "improved" framerate for "smoother movement." Meanwhile, Super Mario Odyssey will gain HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other steering Cappy.
Interestingly, Nintendo's list does not mention framerate improvements for the top-down Zelda games, which is a notable omission considering their known performance issues.
For more insights into Nintendo's latest ventures, including the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store, check out our interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser.
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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: optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Framerate: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized 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: optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
HDR support
