Nintendo Announces Free Performance Upgrades for Switch 1 Games on Switch 2

Nintendo has exciting news for Switch 2 owners! A list of Switch 1 games set to receive free performance upgrades on the new console has been released, promising significant improvements for fans. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those slated for enhancements.

According to Nintendo's official announcement on their website, owners of the Nintendo Switch 2 can access these upgrades by connecting their console to the internet and downloading a system update. This will enable free updates for selected games, potentially enhancing graphics and adding new features such as GameShare. However, the specifics of these updates will vary from game to game.

It's important to note that these free upgrades are distinct from the premium "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom offer free upgrades exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Switch 2 owners can look forward to specific enhancements for various games. For instance, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet will boast "improved image quality" on high-resolution TVs and a "smoother" framerate. Meanwhile, Super Mario Odyssey will introduce HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy.

Curiously, the list does not mention framerate improvements for the top-down Zelda titles, 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, be sure to check out our exclusive 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