Nintendo has announced that several popular Switch games will receive free performance upgrades when played 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 set to benefit from these enhancements.
According to Nintendo's official statement from 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 free and distinct from the premium "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games. Notably, *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* will offer free upgrades to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
For *Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet*, players can expect "improved image quality" for high-resolution TVs and an "improved" framerate for "smoother movement." Meanwhile, *Super Mario Odyssey* will gain HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other Cappy.
However, it's worth mentioning that the list does not include framerate fixes for the top-down Zelda titles, which is a notable omission given their known performance issues.
For more insights into Nintendo's latest developments, including the opening of the new Nintendo San Francisco store, be sure to check out our interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser.
Nintendo San Francisco Store Photos
View 47 Images
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 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 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 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 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
