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

Nintendo has announced a list of Nintendo Switch games that will receive free performance upgrades when played on the Nintendo Switch 2. Exciting 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. These upgrades aim to provide players with an enhanced gaming experience on the new console.

According to Nintendo's official statement on their 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 free updates 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 to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, but the updates we're discussing here are available to all Switch 2 owners at no extra cost.

So, what can you expect from these upgrades? Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will benefit from "improved image quality" optimized for high-resolution TVs and an "improved" framerate for "smoother movement." On the other hand, Super Mario Odyssey will gain HDR support and GameShare capabilities, allowing two players to enjoy the game online—one controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy.

Interestingly, Nintendo's list does not mention framerate improvements for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, which is a notable omission considering 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 new Nintendo San Francisco store and all things Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo San Francisco Store Photos

View 47 ImagesHere's the detailed 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 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 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 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 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 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