Every Nintendo Switch Game Getting A Switch 2 Upgrade

If you currently have a Nintendo Switch and an abundance of games designed for it, chances are that many of these titles will continue to function identically on the Switch 2. However, a chosen number of them may receive enhanced features or even brand-new elements tailored specifically for the upgraded system.

Typically, it involves enhancing the functionality by improving frame rates from 30 to 60, and increasing resolution to smoothly run 4k or higher at a stable 1080p, particularly beneficial for games that are less stable.

In a new development, certain games will receive enhanced features, including GameShare compatibility. This upgrade enables players to share their games with companions online, allowing them to enjoy playing simultaneously as though each friend individually owns the game – a popular feature making a comeback from the DS era.

Some games require you to pay for an upgrade, and these often come with additional features or content beyond improved performance. Typically, this costs around $10 if it’s just about boosting performance, but can go up to $20 when fresh content is included.

It’s probable that the number of games compatible with an upgrade for the Switch console will grow, particularly since third-party developers will be able to utilize this feature. This list represents only the games that Nintendo has officially announced will receive updates for a potential Switch 2 system.

Every Switch Game Upgrade

Game Title Release Date OpenCritic Score Additions Price
Kirby and the Forgotten Land Aug 28, 2025 85 Improved FPS and Resolution, new Star-Crossed World DLC campaign. $20
Super Mario Party Jamboree Jul 24, 2025 81 Improved Resolution, GameShare support, Exclusive Jamboree TV mode that uses mouse controls, the camera, and the microphone. $20
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Jun 5, 2025 96 Improved FPS, Resolution, and load times, HDR support, and Zelda Notes App support. $10
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Jun 5, 2025 96 Improved FPS, Resolution, and load times, HDR support, and Zelda Notes App support. $10
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Late 2025 TBD Improved FPS and Resolution. $10
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond 2025 TBD Improved load times, able to improve FPS or Resolution with quality or performance mode, HDR support, and mouse controls. $10
Super Mario Odyssey Oct 27, 2017 97 Improved FPS and Resolution, GameShare support. Free
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Jul 13, 2018 82 Improved FPS and Resolution, GameShare support. Free
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics Jun 5, 2020 81 Improved FPS and Resolution, GameShare support. Free
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Feb 12, 2021 89 Improved FPS and Resolution, GameShare support. Free
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain Dec 3, 2021 73 Improved FPS and Resolution, GameShare support. Free
ARMS Jun 16, 2017 78 Improved FPS and Resolution. Free
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Jan 11, 2019 79 Improved FPS and Resolution. Free
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Sep 20, 2019 87 Improved FPS and Resolution. Free
Game Builder Garage Jun 11, 2021 77 Improved FPS and Resolution. Free
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Nov 18, 2022 71 Improved FPS and Resolution. Free
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Sep 26, 2024 85 Improved FPS and Resolution. Free

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Whimsical Starfall

Among all the games released in 2022, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is undeniably my top pick, making for a particularly impressive year. This game truly showcases HAL Laboratory’s dedication to masterfully transitioning Kirby into a three-dimensional realm, and they nailed it on their debut attempt.

On the initial Nintendo Switch version, the game maintained a constant 30 frames per second (FPS) with enemies appearing to move slower as they got farther off. Although I found this quaint, it had an unsettling effect, but now, everything will run at a fluid 60 FPS.

As a gamer, I can tell you, this game was legendary for never needing an update due to its perfection. However, I wouldn’t complain if a new patch arrived, especially one that brings along a complete DLC campaign expansion.

In addition to a brief additional campaign, Star-Crossed World appears to significantly expand all aspects of the base game, introducing fresh mechanics and innovative level designs.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Don’t Let The Party Die

For quite some time, the Mario Party series seemed to be struggling, but with Superstars reintroducing its iconic gameplay elements in an exciting modern format, Super Mario Party Jambree managed to offer a fantastic experience.

At last, I’ve bid farewell to that pesky car mechanic for good, upgraded to boards crafted without the Line tool in Photoshop, and now have an abundance of captivating characters at my disposal – it’s safe to say this new deal is a real game-changer!

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that I’ve found the mini-games somewhat underwhelming, taking everything into account. However, the allure of the Jamboree TV add-on on the Switch 2 is undeniable if you’re willing to invest $55 for the Switch 2 Camera, as it appears to hold some potential in this area.

Although it’s uncertain if the camera is essential, considering its frequent appearance in promotional materials for this expansion, don’t expect too much. However, it remains intriguing, despite likely being a pricey gimmick of $20.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Can We Get Anti-Aliasing?

Regarding the subject of optional premium features in Tears of the Kingdom, players will need to spend $10 for a smoother gaming experience with a consistent 60 FPS, improved resolution, quicker loading times, and an application that some may find less appealing.

The app enables you to jot down thoughts, and it includes a GPS feature as well – since the game doesn’t provide a map, you must rely on inconvenient voice navigation instructions to lead your way around.

With regards to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you can utilize the app to pass along auto-build blueprints to other players. However, one aspect that truly captivated me during its release was constructing items I found online, including a Ford F-150, using my own hands.

In simpler terms, I find this application unnecessary and simple to develop, merely to add a $10 fee, despite many free updates offering comparable enhancements in functionality. This is because the game Zelda demands such improvements.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Smoothed Over

Just like Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers an enhancement for around $10, which includes a resolution boost, seamless 60 frames per second performance, and the same application.

Instead, unlike that game, here you cannot collaboratively create or share autobuild blueprints, and there’s no comparable feature available. Consequently, the value of this platform might seem minimal compared to the other one. Essentially, you could replicate the experience by searching for tutorials online.

It seems unusual that an entire application was developed for this purpose. I wonder what the reasoning behind it is. Interestingly, it’s possible to mimic the feel of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with unlimited frame rate and resolution, a capability that’s been available almost since the game’s release.

To clarify, the game significantly benefits from the improved frame rate. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild often struggles with maintaining a consistent frame rate in heavily grassed areas, which can cause it to drop as low as 10 frames per second. Now, fortunately, we can enjoy a stable 60 frames per second on console.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Unnecessary Gouging

You might ponder over the reasoning behind Nintendo opting to release upgrade packs rather than setting the price of unlaunched games at $70 and providing the Switch 2 version for free to customers. Similarly, it leaves me puzzled as to their choice in this matter.

You can get Pokémon Legends: Z-A for $60 on the original Switch right away. However, as it’s a modern Pokémon game, expect some performance issues. To improve this, you can opt for a $10 upgrade to address the optimization problems.

It seems illogical that the Switch 2 upgrade, which only enhances performance and resolution, comes at a cost. Despite my fondness for Legends Arceus, this pricing issue is making it difficult to find justification for purchasing Z-A.

The game appears visually appealing, featuring combat reminiscent of Xenoblade and captivating catch-and-release mechanics. However, the question remains: Is it worth $70 for a game that may struggle to maintain a consistent 60 FPS? That decision is ultimately yours to make.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Retro’s Rewind

As a devoted admirer of the Metroid series, it’s thrilling to learn that Metroid Prime 4, which has been under development for over eight years, is finally set to launch this year. Although I’ve typically been less enthusiastic about the $10 upgrades, this one seems justified.

The game is astonishing even on the basic Nintendo Switch console, and it surpasses many PS5 games when played on the upgraded Switch 2. Not only can it run smoothly at 4k and 60 frames per second, but also at 1080p and an impressive 120 frames per second. Both options showcase an incredible visual experience.

Retro Studios demonstrates an exceptional ability to maximize the potential of Nintendo’s hardware, as shown here, and they even incorporate mouse controls reminiscent of PrimeHack for an enhanced experience.

Instead of puzzling over why they haven’t priced the game at $70 and offered a free update, I find the $10 upgrade more than reasonable considering the enhanced precision in aiming it provides, not to mention the improved visuals.

Super Mario Odyssey

Jump Up Super-Res

For the complimentary game picks, I feel Super Mario Odyssey stands out as one of the finest games on this list that didn’t require inclusion. Since it was already running at a constant 1080p 60fps – the top performance of the original Switch – the enhancement isn’t extremely conspicuous.

As a fan, I can’t help but get excited about the new feature, GameShare! Yet, when it comes to 3D Mario games like Odyssey, they simply never disappoint. In fact, it feels like coming back home to an old friend that you’ve always cherished. And let me tell you, that friend just happens to be one of the best games ever made!

Platform games often see an improvement when running at a higher frame rate since it minimizes response delay, and considering historical trends of performance enhancements, it seems quite plausible that loading times will also decrease noticeably alongside this boost.

I find this quite intriguing, as I typically play the older edition of the game that has more opportunities for out-of-bounds glitches. However, if this improved speed could make the newer version a contender, it’s worth considering.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Magnified Detail

Among the Wii U port games that might see an improvement, I wouldn’t have expected Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker to be near the top. The game runs smoothly with no issues, and since it’s primarily a leisurely puzzle game, frame rate isn’t critical to its enjoyment.

I had somehow overlooked the multiplayer aspect of the game while writing this, even though I had previously completed the entire game. As far as I understand, it seems more like an extra feature that simplifies the levels unnecessarily.

In simpler terms, I believe Treasure Tracker is an excellent game, and its puzzles are something I truly enjoy. However, I don’t find a significant improvement in performance and resolution to be absolutely essential – unless you happen to be particularly focused on those aspects.

After considering all points, it’s a complimentary update that undeniably enhances the gaming experience. If you haven’t tried out this intriguing level-breaking tool yet, I strongly suggest you give it a shot.

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Renegade Re-release

If you’re familiar with me, it’s common knowledge that I have a soft spot for Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. It may seem like just another collection of board games, but to me, board games are simply fantastic. I’ve likely launched this game well over a hundred times.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t get enough of Renegade – it’s every bit as captivating as Shakespeare’s Othello! The entire collection boasts games that are worth playing, save for Bowling, which seems to be the odd one out in this otherwise stellar lineup.

It’s fantastic that this appears to be the preferred game for GameShare, as it simplifies persuading your online friends to play a game together. Now, they don’t have to purchase the game themselves to participate in your gaming sessions.

Previously, there was an application called Clubhouse Games Guest Pass which allowed players to enjoy games together without owning the title, only within the same local area. However, a new update allows for this shared experience with people from all around the globe.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Vibrant Flagpoles

I find Super Mario 3D World to be exceptional, offering a fresh take on its previous versions through an engaging and enjoyable multiplayer feature, while still maintaining an impressive visual appeal even ten years after its debut.

I believe this game would significantly improve with a performance boost, since both titles occasionally struggle under their ambitious visuals, particularly during gameplay in Bowser’s Fury.

As a fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about the ability to join multiplayer sessions with anyone, regardless of whether they own the game or not. While the online multiplayer in this game has had its issues, I remain optimistic that the introduction of GameShare might bring some positive changes.

Despite not boasting the finest multiplayer feature ever created, Bowser’s Fury remains an excellent side adventure. It will greatly profit from improvements due to occasional frame rate issues and areas that appeared somewhat rough around the edges, considering its lofty aspirations.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

Masqueraded Mathematics

It seems I haven’t come across Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain much before, and I can’t recall Nintendo promoting it extensively. However, given that it’s receiving a free update, perhaps they’ve kept it in their memory bank.

It appears that the primary objective here seems to be incorporating the feature called GameShare, given the multiplayer emphasis of this educational game. Frankly, I find it hard to believe there would be anyone interested in enhancing the game’s resolution and frame rate, as playing the game alone is not a common scenario.

As a gamer, I find myself in a unique position where I’ve got this awesome game that many of my friends haven’t had the chance to play yet. Luckily for us all, they can join in without spending a dime on learning complex number sequences! So, let’s get them hooked and share the fun!

This seems ideal for parents looking for an educational game that their children can play together with friends. However, it doesn’t appear to cater to many other types of audiences, other than those with a particular, specialized interest.

ARMS

Lift Yourself Up

For those games not yet confirmed for GameShare on the new Switch 2, it appears they will primarily receive enhancements in terms of performance and resolution, rather than additional features. Rest assured, ARMS is still a game available.

It’s quite astonishing that GameShare hasn’t been officially announced for this game, given its primary focus on multiplayer battles among players. The convenience of allowing others to join instantly aligns remarkably well with the game’s design.

Based on my recollection from playing it eight years back, this game wasn’t exactly a performance powerhouse. It often experienced drops in frame rate, and the dynamic resolution adjustments sometimes gave it an unpleasant appearance.

Improving the performance significantly will rectify all issues, and since this is a combat-oriented game, the frame rate increase becomes very beneficial in minimizing response time and providing an edge to two players competing on Nintendo Switch.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Mind-Numbingly Enjoyable

It’s surprising and confusing to me that New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe appears on this list without a confirmed GameShare release yet. In fact, I can’t help but wonder why Super Mario Bros. U isn’t included either in the list of games with confirmed sharing.

These two games primarily focus on a four-player mode, and for the game called Wonder, the local multiplayer isn’t supported online. This seems to be an unfortunate oversight, making it feel as though the game is being overlooked or undervalued.

Despite its questionable title, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe offers an enjoyable gaming experience. It’s like a tasty yet not particularly nutritious snack – not high on artistic merit, but still manages to be entertaining nonetheless.

While I didn’t absolutely require a 2D platformer with pre-rendered 3D models running at 4K resolution and 120 frames per second, it’s an unnecessary but welcome enhancement that doesn’t cause any issues, so I won’t complain about it.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Pieced Together

Link’s Awakening stands out as an excellent demonstration of a game that truly benefited from the performance upgrade. Given its origins as a Game Boy title, one might assume it would run smoothly without any enhancements.

Despite consistent efforts to optimize, the game often suffers from unpredictable frame dips, irregular frame rates, and an overall lack of smoothness. This inconsistency can make the gaming experience feel somewhat unpleasant or “grimy,” even if the framerate itself doesn’t appear visibly erratic to the casual observer.

This improvement truly transforms the FPS into an invaluable blessing, ensuring a steady 60fps, and even potentially a consistent 120. The increased resolution is also noteworthy, given the game’s surprising level of detail.

If you haven’t tried out the Link’s Awakening remake yet, I strongly advise you to give it a go once it receives this update. This Zelda game was quite good before but felt somewhat lacking. With the upcoming improvements, it’s expected to be fantastic, making it one of the top games in the series.

Game Builder Garage

Make It Yourself, Then

frankly speaking, I find it quite puzzling that Game Builder Garage is included in the list of optimized games for improved performance. Given its user-friendly nature as a beginner’s game engine, one wouldn’t expect it to require much power to run smoothly. It has always functioned fairly well without any noticeable lag.

Based on my personal observations, intricate games developed using this tool might cause slight dips in frame rate. It seems plausible that these issues were significant enough for Nintendo to make attempts at resolving them, despite being relatively small compromises within the game itself.

It seems like this modification would be perfectly acceptable, and the enhanced resolution could definitely make a difference in games that are constantly filled with visual effects. Additionally, running at 120 FPS offers a significant advantage by reducing input lag.

If I were to make an educated guess, I would suggest that they may introduce a Switch 2 version with an expanded mode, allowing you to bypass the previous, very stringent node limit. This could potentially lead to complex and sophisticated games compared to what was previously possible.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Finally, Some Quality

Can you spot the shiny Dedenne?

Despite being widely anticipated as the most thrilling and worthy title for performance enhancements, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were met with disappointing reviews upon release, primarily due to persistent frame rate issues and overall lackluster visuals.

Should you manage to surmount those initial issues, not only will you discover a Pokémon game, but also an engaging adaptation of the Saga of Arceus style into the mainstream Pokémon series, making it quite enjoyable to play.

It might not get the recognition it deserves due to many game reviews being published prior or on release date. So, it’s understandable if it hasn’t received great feedback yet. But with any luck, once it runs smoothly, I hope that more individuals will take the time to truly and honestly experience it.

Considering that this very same game is being offered for free, it makes the high price tag of the Legends Z-A version seem quite extravagant. This is probably because it’s only receiving a complimentary upgrade due to its age and past criticism for occasional performance issues, such as running at just 12 FPS at times.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Brain Pain Reduction

Similar to Link’s Awakening, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom struggles significantly in terms of performance. Despite being a visually stunning, fresh addition to the Zelda series with an abundance of intricate details, its frame rate leaves much to be desired.

As an avid fan, I can’t help but notice that the game’s frame rate seems to perpetually oscillate between 30-60 frames per second, and the pacing isn’t consistently smooth. I’ve watched others play it, and the inconsistency in the frame rate often leaves them with a headache. At times, it even feels more jarring than Tears of the Kingdom.

It would bring me great joy if this upgrade simply ensured the game runs smoothly at 1080p 60fps, but the possibility of experiencing it in an even superior resolution and frame rate is even more enticing, making it a no-brainer purchase for potential Switch 2 gamers.

I find myself pondering over the decision to launch this game on the original Nintendo Switch instead of spending an extra year fine-tuning it for smoother performance on both platforms. However, it seems foresight isn’t always perfect.

Read More

2025-05-04 02:12