"Nintendo Reveals Free Performance Upgrades for Switch 1 Games on Switch 2"

Nintendo has exciting news for Switch fans! A selection of Switch 1 games will receive free performance upgrades when played on the Nintendo Switch 2. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those slated for enhancements. Here's what you can expect from these updates:

To access these upgrades, simply connect your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and perform a system update. This will allow you to download free updates for selected games, potentially improving graphics or adding features like GameShare. Keep in mind that the content of these updates varies by game.

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

For Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, you can look forward to "improved image quality" on high-resolution TVs and a smoother framerate for enhanced gameplay. Super Mario Odyssey will support HDR and introduce GameShare, enabling two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other Cappy.

Curiously, Nintendo's list omits framerate improvements for the two top-down Zelda games, which is a notable oversight considering their known performance issues.

For more insights into Nintendo's latest developments, don't miss our interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, where he discusses the new Nintendo San Francisco store and all things Nintendo Switch.

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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