Nintendo has announced an exciting lineup of performance upgrades for select Nintendo Switch games on the new Nintendo Switch 2. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those slated to receive these enhancements, ensuring a better gaming experience on the upgraded console.
According to the official statement from Nintendo's 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. However, some games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom offer free upgrades to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
For Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, players can look forward to "improved image quality" optimized for high-resolution TVs and an enhanced framerate for "smoother movement." Super Mario Odyssey will receive HDR support and GameShare compatibility, allowing two players to collaborate online—one controlling Mario and the other Cappy.
Interestingly, the list does not mention framerate improvements for the top-down Zelda games, which is a notable omission given their known performance issues.
For more insights into Nintendo's latest ventures, don't miss our exclusive interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, covering the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and all things 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: 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
