Switch 1 Games to Receive Free Performance Upgrades on Switch 2, Nintendo Announces

Nintendo has unveiled an exciting lineup of free performance upgrades for select Switch 1 games on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, promising significant enhancements for fans. Titles such as Arms, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are among those set to receive these upgrades.

Here's the official statement from Nintendo's 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 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 exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

For Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, Switch 2 owners can look forward to "improved image quality" optimized for high-resolution TVs and an enhanced framerate for smoother gameplay. Meanwhile, Super Mario Odyssey will gain HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy the game online—one controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy.

Interestingly, the list does not include 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 ventures, including the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store, check out our exclusive interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser.

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Below is 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 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 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 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 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