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

Nintendo has exciting news for Switch 2 owners: several popular Switch 1 games are set to receive free performance upgrades. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those slated for enhancements.

According to the official Nintendo 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.

These upgrades are distinct from the premium "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games, with the exception of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which are free for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Switch 2 owners can look forward to specific improvements in their favorite games. For instance, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet will boast enhanced image quality on high-resolution TVs and a smoother framerate. Super Mario Odyssey will introduce HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to collaborate online—one controlling Mario and the other guiding Cappy.

However, fans of the top-down Zelda games might be disappointed, as the list does not include framerate fixes for these titles, despite their known performance issues.

For more insights into Nintendo's latest endeavors, don't miss our exclusive interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, where he discusses the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and more about the Nintendo Switch.

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Here’s a detailed 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 players can enjoy 34 games, playable both locally and 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: Enhanced for smoother gameplay, 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 players can compete in Party Mode, playable both locally and 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 players can explore all courses, playable both locally and 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: Enhanced 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 gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2, including Bowser's Fury.
• HDR support
• GameShare compatibility: Up to four players can play Super Mario 3D World, and two can play Bowser's Fury with one controlling Mario and the other Bowser Jr., playable both locally and 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 players can collaborate, with one controlling Mario and the other Cappy, playable both locally and 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