Nintendo has exciting news for Switch 2 owners: a selection of beloved Switch 1 games are set to receive free performance upgrades, enhancing your gaming experience on the new console. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those slated for these improvements.
According to Nintendo's official statement on their website:
It's important to note that these upgrades are entirely free and distinct from the premium Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games. Additionally, games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom offer free upgrades to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.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.
Switch 2 owners can look forward to specific enhancements. For instance, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will benefit from "improved image quality" optimized for high-resolution TVs and an enhanced framerate for "smoother movement." Super Mario Odyssey will introduce HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, one controlling Mario and the other Cappy.
Interestingly, the list of updates does not include framerate fixes for the top-down Zelda games, which may disappoint some fans given their known performance issues.
For more insights into Nintendo's latest developments, check out our exclusive interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, where he discusses the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and other exciting updates about the Nintendo Switch.
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Here’s a comprehensive list of the 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
