In early April, Nintendo unveiled the highly anticipated Switch 2, exciting fans with the announcement that around a dozen first-party Switch games would receive free updates. These updates are designed to enhance older games, bringing them in line with the capabilities of the new console. While players can expect these updates to be less extensive than the paid upgrade packs for titles like Breath of the Wild or Kirby and the Forgotten Land, initial details were sparse. However, Nintendo recently updated its support page with specific improvements for each game, shedding light on what players can expect.
The primary enhancements for many games include improved image quality and optimizations tailored for the Switch 2's built-in display. Additional features include support for GameShare multiplayer, new Joy-Con mouse controls, HDR TV compatibility, and various other tweaks. Among the most notable updates are significant frame rate improvements for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the main-series Pokémon games that launched in late 2022. These titles faced criticism for performance issues, with frame rate dips that hampered gameplay. Nintendo had previously issued an apology regarding these issues, and while patches helped, they fell short of providing a consistently smooth experience. Players are hopeful that the new hardware will finally resolve these long-standing performance problems.
All patches will be available on June 5, coinciding with the launch date of the Switch 2. Here’s the comprehensive list of first-party Switch games along with their specific improvements:
Arms Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality Frame rate: Enhanced for smoother movement, even during multiplayer sessions with three or more players HDR support Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality HDR support GameShare support Super Mario Odyssey Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality HDR support GameShare support Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality Frame rate: Enhanced for smoother movement, including in 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: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality HDR support The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality HDR support Game Builder Garage Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality Supports Joy-Con mouse controls New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality Frame rate: Improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2 Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain GameShare supportAdditionally, it is expected that third-party developers will have the freedom to release their own Switch 2-specific updates for their games. Nintendo is currently in the process of testing its entire game library with the new console and has promised to provide an update on compatibility before the Switch 2 launches in June.
