Nintendo lists the Switch games improved for free on the Switch 2

In the last few days, Nintendo has published a list of games developed for the first Switch that will receive various free updates on the upcoming Switch 2. These include the GameShare function, which allows games to be shared with other consoles, but above all graphical improvements such as support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) and higher resolutions for the larger screen of the successor console. The updates vary from game to game, but individual titles should also become smoother to play.

At the official launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which will be released on June 5 for 470 euros, the Japanese company also showed off numerous games. In addition to titles specially developed for the console, there are also games for the Switch that are often compatible. In addition, some games that were originally released for the Switch will receive customized upgrades for the Switch 2. For individual titles such as “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”, Nintendo charges a premium for the Switch 2 version, even if the user already owns the original game.

Free updates for a dozen Switch games

However, there will also be Switch titles with free upgrades for the Switch 2, and Nintendo has now named them. They are “ARMS”, “Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain”, “Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker”, “Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics”, “Game Builder Garage”, “New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe”, “Pokémon Crimson”, “Pokémon Purple”, “Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury”, “Super Mario Odyssey”, “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” and “The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening”.

If the new Switch 2 is connected to the Internet and a system update is carried out, the user can also carry out the corresponding updates for the games listed, provided they are installed. Some of these older titles should then also be playable in a higher resolution and with an increased dynamic range. This is because the Nvidia processor of the Switch 2 brings DLSS and huge performance improvements compared to the first Switch games console.

New Switch 2 chip speeds up Pokémon games

The Tegra X1 processor of the old Switch was already outdated and slow when this console was launched in March 2017, which has slowed down some games in recent years. In a test by heise online, “Pokémon Karmesin” was a convincing game, but low frame rates, jerky animations, massive pop-in problems and low-resolution textures torpedoed the gaming fun. Nintendo even apologized for the many issues with Pokémon Crimson and Purple and promised an improvement with a new patch.

On the Switch 2, there is now another free update for these two pocket monster games when Pokémon Crimson and Purple are installed on the new console generation. This should not only optimize these titles for the Switch 2 display and high-resolution televisions for improved image quality, but also give them a higher frame rate for smoother gameplay. As for the other games mentioned, these updates will be available for the release of the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

(fds)