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

Nintendo has officially unveiled a list of Nintendo Switch 1 titles that will receive free performance upgrades for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. These enhancements are designed to take full advantage of the new hardware, offering improved visuals, smoother gameplay, and additional features like GameShare support.

Included in this list are several popular titles such as *ARMS*, *Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet*, *Super Mario Odyssey*, and *The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom*. These updates will be available at no extra cost, provided players connect their system to the internet and download the latest update through the Nintendo Switch 2’s updated system software.

According to an official statement from Nintendo:

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 enhancements are separate from the premium Nintendo Switch 2 Edition versions of certain games, which offer enhanced experiences with upgraded assets and features. In some cases, such as with *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom*, the Switch 2 upgrade is offered as a free benefit to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

What Performance Improvements Can Players Expect?

For example, *Pokémon Scarlet* and *Pokémon Violet* will see both visual and performance improvements, including enhanced image quality for high-resolution TVs and a more stable, smoother framerate during movement. This should make exploring the vast open world feel significantly more fluid and immersive.

*Super Mario Odyssey* gains HDR support, improved visuals, and robust GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy co-op play online—one controlling Mario, and the other handling Cappy. This adds a fresh layer of multiplayer convenience and flexibility for fans of the game.

Interestingly, while many titles benefit from notable graphical and technical enhancements, the top-down entries in the *Zelda* series—specifically *The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening* and *Echoes of Wisdom*—do not include any mention of framerate optimization, despite known performance issues in handheld mode. This omission has raised eyebrows among fans expecting broader technical fixes.

Check Out the Full List of Free Nintendo Switch 2 Performance Upgrades

• 51 Worldwide Games
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  GameShare support for up to four players across 34 games, with options for local or online sharing via GameChat.
• ARMS
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Optimized visuals for Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs.
  Improved framerate for smoother movement, even during multiplayer sessions with three or more players.
  HDR support added.
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  GameShare support for up to four players in Party Mode, with local or online sharing via GameChat.
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Enhanced visuals for Switch 2 and high-resolution displays.
  HDR support included.
  Two-player GameShare support for all levels, either locally or online via GameChat.
• Game Builder Garage
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Visual enhancements for Switch 2 and high-res TVs.
  Support for Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Improved visuals for Switch 2 and high-resolution TVs.
• Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Enhanced image quality for Switch 2 and high-res displays.
  Improved framerate for smoother player movement on Switch 2.
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Visual enhancements for Switch 2 and high-res TVs.
  Improved framerate, including in Bowser's Fury.
  HDR support included.
  GameShare support for up to four players in Super Mario 3D World; two-player support in Bowser's Fury (Mario and Bowser Jr.) via local or online play.
• Super Mario Odyssey
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Enhanced visuals for Switch 2 and high-resolution displays.
  HDR support added.
  Two-player GameShare support (Mario and Cappy), playable locally or online via GameChat.
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Improved visuals for Switch 2 and high-res TVs.
  HDR support added.
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
  Release Date: 05/06/2025
  Enhanced visuals for Switch 2 and high-resolution displays.
  HDR support included.

If you're excited about the future of Nintendo gaming, be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, where he shares insights into the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and what’s next for the Nintendo Switch platform.