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

by Nora Jul 23,2025

Nintendo has unveiled a list of Nintendo Switch games that will receive free performance upgrades upon the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, offering players enhanced visuals and new features without additional cost.

Titles such as ARMS, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom are confirmed to get optimizations tailored for the next-generation console. These updates will be available simply by connecting your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and installing the system update.

According to Nintendo’s official announcement:

"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 enhancements are completely free and distinct from the premium Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles. For example, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will receive free upgrades exclusively for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

So, what exactly can players expect?

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will benefit from improved image quality on high-resolution displays and a smoother framerate, resulting in more fluid movement during gameplay. This is a welcome upgrade given the performance challenges these titles faced on the original hardware.

Super Mario Odyssey receives HDR support and gains GameShare functionality, enabling two players to team up online—one controlling Mario and the other taking charge of Cappy. This adds a new layer of cooperative play to the beloved 3D platformer.

Interestingly, while many games are getting notable upgrades, the list does not include framerate improvements for the top-down Zelda titles like Link’s Awakening, which is a surprising omission considering their documented performance issues on the base Switch.

For fans eager to learn more about Nintendo’s latest initiatives, don’t miss our exclusive interview with Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America, where he discusses the newly opened Nintendo San Francisco store and shares insights into the future of Nintendo gaming.

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