Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch Get System Updates for January 2026

by

Nintendo Switch consoles recently received their first system update of 2026. It’s been a couple of months since the last big update in early December 2025, making this the first new update of the year.

Nintendo has a lot to celebrate in 2026! Several of its biggest franchises will reach major milestones: The Legend of Zelda and Metroid will both be 40 years old, Pokémon will turn 30, and Animal Crossing will be 25. It’s also a big year for Nintendo consoles, with the Nintendo 3DS celebrating 15 years, the Game Boy Advance and GameCube reaching 25 years, and the Nintendo 64 turning 30. We can expect announcements and celebrations throughout the year, but Nintendo is also focused on continuing to support its current systems and keep players satisfied.

Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 Get January 2026 System Update

Nintendo released updates for both the original Switch and the newer Nintendo Switch on January 12th, bringing both systems to version 21.2.0. These updates are designed to improve overall performance and make gaming more enjoyable. Nintendo hasn’t shared specific details about the changes, but says they focus on general system stability, much like the previous update released in 2025.

As a Switch owner, I’m happy to hear updates should be pretty easy to get! If your Switch or Switch 2 is connected to the internet and left in standby mode, it’ll download updates automatically. But if it doesn’t, you can always check for them yourself. Just go to System Settings on the home screen, then ‘System Update’ under the ‘System’ menu. And if you run into any problems downloading or installing, a quick restart usually does the trick!

What’s Happening With the Nintendo Switch in 2026?

While this update isn’t hugely exciting on its own, it should help ensure a lot of upcoming games launch smoothly on the Switch. Switch 2 fans are especially looking forward to first-party Nintendo titles like Pokemon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, plus several third-party games such as Resident Evil Requiem when the console launches in early 2026. And there’s likely even more content coming soon!

Rumors suggest Nintendo will hold a major presentation on February 10, 2026, likely showcasing games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in the first half of the year. A new 3D Super Mario game is reportedly a surprise reveal planned for the event, which is being described as a big one. If the leaks are accurate, fans have a lot to look forward to in just under a month.

Fans are hoping for a Nintendo Direct in early February, especially considering the wait for news last year. In 2025, with the new Nintendo Switch 2 expected, players didn’t get a Direct focused on the console and upcoming games until late April. This time, without a new console to reveal, the Direct will likely focus on games. Nintendo might also share updates about The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which comes out in April. We’ll have to wait for an official announcement to confirm when the first Direct will happen.

Read More

2026-01-13 09:04