Nintendo Just Dropped Info on a Bunch of Switch 1 Games That Are Getting Free Performance Upgrades on Switch 2

Nintendo has announced that several popular Nintendo Switch games will receive free performance upgrades when played on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This exciting news means that owners of the new console can look forward to enhanced gameplay without any additional cost.

Games such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those slated for improvements. To access these upgrades, players simply need to connect their Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and download a system update, which will provide enhanced graphics and new features like GameShare for selected titles.

Here's what Nintendo has to say about these updates:

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 distinct from the premium "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games, as well as the free upgrades available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers for titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

For Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, players can expect "improved image quality" optimized for high-resolution TVs and a smoother framerate for enhanced gameplay. Super Mario Odyssey will benefit from HDR support and GameShare capabilities, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other steering Cappy.

However, it's worth mentioning that the list does not include framerate fixes for the top-down Zelda games, which is a notable omission given their known performance issues.

Here's a detailed 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 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 smoother movement, even 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 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 courses. Share locally or 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 controlling Mario and the other controlling Bowser Jr. Share locally or 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 controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy. Share locally or 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

For more information on Nintendo's latest developments, check out our interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, which covers the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and more about the Nintendo Switch.

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