Switch 2 Will Update Existing Nintendo Switch Games – Here’s How

[UPDATE: 17.05.25]

The article has been updated, and Nintendo has shared what features would be added to the games listed below.

[ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 13.05.25]

Some Nintendo Switch games will be getting post-launch patches that could improve their performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 console. This isn’t to be confused with ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games,’ which are instead different versions of Nintendo Switch games you can buy off the shelf and digital stores, that may include content thats not on the base Nintendo Switch version.

Yes, it can be a little confusing.

It’s so confusing that I got some of my facts wrong on the latest episode of the Arcade Couch podcast [thanks to Jamie Penningh for pointing this out]. I was theorising that Nintendo Switch games wouldn’t see a jump in visual or performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 because most of the games have capped framerates, and just wouldn’t be able to tap into the extra power. Well, it seems Nintendo is aware of that, and presumably, some of these patches would up the max framerate on a lot of these games to 60 and even 120 if possible.

Nintendo classifies the differences on its website as “free updates for select Nintendo Switch games” and “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games.” The latter are guaranteed some visual improvements, on top of any new features and additional game modes, while the former, the free updates, “may improve performance or add support for features such as GameShare.”

Here’s the games currently listed to be getting a free update for the Nintendo Switch 2:

• ARMS (Resolution Bump + Framerate improvement + HDR support)
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Resolution Bump + HDR)
• Super Mario Odyssey (Resolution Bump + HDR)
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Resolution Bump + Framerate improvement / HDR (Bowser’s Fury only))
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Resolution Bump + HDR)
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Resolution Bump + HDR)
• Game Builder Garage (Resolution Bump + Mouse controls)
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Resolution Bump)
• Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet (Resolution Bump + Framerate improvement)
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs Brain

And here are the games that are getting Nintendo Switch 2 versions:

• Super Mario Party Jaboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

I hope that’s helpful. In the comment section below, let me know if you’re excited about any of the updates or the Nintendo Switch 2 versions of games.