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

Nintendo has exciting news for Switch fans: a list of Switch 1 games will receive free performance upgrades on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Titles like Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are set to benefit from these enhancements, making your gaming experience even better.

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, which may improve graphics or add features like GameShare. Keep in mind that 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 instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom offer free upgrades to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, but other games may require a purchase.

What can you expect from these upgrades? For Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, you'll enjoy improved image quality on high-resolution TVs and a smoother framerate for better gameplay. Super Mario Odyssey will support HDR and introduce GameShare functionality, allowing two players to play together online—one controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy.

Interestingly, Nintendo's list does not mention framerate fixes for the two top-down Zelda games, which might disappoint some fans given the known performance issues.

For more insights into Nintendo's latest ventures, 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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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