The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in less than three weeks, and while we know some Switch 1 games are getting free updates, we didn’t know what that entailed. Now, Nintendo has detailed the extent of these updates for existing Switch 1 games, which are free in contrast to the more substantial Nintendo Switch 2 edition upgrades of Switch 1 games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which will cost $9.99.
What to expect in the free Switch 2 updates for the listed Switch 1 games:
Arms
Increased resolution, framerate, and HDR support
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
GameShare support: Up to four people can play in Party Mode, and players can share the game locally or online via GameChat
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Increased resolution and HDR supportGameShare support: Two people can play all of the courses, and players can share the game locally or online via GameChat
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
GameShare support: Up to four people can play 34 games featured in Clubhouse Games, and players can share the game locally or online via GameChat
Game Builder Garage
Increased resolution and supports Joy-Con 2 for mouse controls
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
Increased resolution and frame rate
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Increased resolution and framerate, and HDR support (for Bowser’s Fury only)GameShare support: up to four people can play Super Mario 3D World, and in Bowser’s Fury, two people can play together (with one player controlling Mario and the other Bowser Jr.). Plus, players can share the game locally or online via GameChat
Super Mario Odyssey
Increased resolution and HDR supportGameShare support: Two people can play together (with one player controlling Mario and the other Cappy), and players can share the game locally or online via GameChat
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Increased resolution and HDR support
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Increased resolution and HDR support
As many have pointed out online, a handful of these games aren’t getting increased framerates in their updates, despite games like Link’s Awakening struggling to maintain a steady framerate on Switch. That’s because Link’s Awakening is already targeting 60 FPS on Switch 1 – it just struggles to hit and maintain that. Presumably, by accessing the extra power of the Switch 2, the game will be able to run at its already-in-place 60 FPS. Only time will tell, but fortunately, we don’t have to wait long because the Switch 2 launches June 5.
For more about the console, read about how Nintendo has plans for a “continuous flow” of Switch 2 through the holidays, and then check out the 2025 Switch 2 game release schedule. After that, read Game Informer’s Switch 2 hands-on preview.
Are you going to check out any of these Switch games on your Switch 2? Let us know in the comments below!