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

Nintendo has announced that several beloved Switch 1 games will receive free performance upgrades when played on the 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, these upgrades can be accessed by connecting your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and performing a system update. This will allow you to download free updates that may enhance graphics and introduce new features like GameShare. However, the specific improvements will vary from game to game.

It's important to note that these free updates 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 to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, but these are separate from the performance enhancements for Switch 2.

For *Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet*, Switch 2 owners can look forward to improved image quality on high-resolution TVs and a smoother framerate for enhanced gameplay. Meanwhile, *Super Mario Odyssey* will feature HDR support and GameShare functionality, allowing two players to enjoy the game together online, with one controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy.

Interestingly, while many games are set for framerate and visual upgrades, the list does not mention framerate fixes for *The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom* and *The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening*, which is a notable omission given their known performance issues on the original Switch.

For more insights into Nintendo's latest developments, including the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store, be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser.

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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 share 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 when playing 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 share 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 of the courses. Share locally or share 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 player controlling Mario and the other controlling Bowser Jr. Share locally or share 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 player controlling Mario and the other controlling Cappy. Share locally or share 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