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

Nintendo has announced a series of free performance upgrades for several popular Switch games, set to enhance the gaming experience on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. 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:

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, which offer enhanced versions of titles. The free upgrades are not to be confused with the premium editions or the free upgrades available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Switch 2 owners can look forward to specific enhancements. For instance, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will benefit from "improved image quality" for high-resolution TVs and an "improved" framerate for "smoother movement." Meanwhile, Super Mario Odyssey will gain HDR support and GameShare compatibility, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other Cappy.

Interestingly, the list of updates does not include framerate fixes for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, which have faced performance issues. This omission has been noted as a disappointment by many fans.

For more insights into Nintendo's latest ventures, don't miss our interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, where he discusses the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and other exciting developments related to the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo San Francisco Store Photos

View 47 Images

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