Latest news with #GameShare
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nintendo Switch 2: How to access upgrade packs for your existing games
With the Nintendo Switch 2 now officially launched on June 5, 2025, Nintendo is introducing a new way for players to upgrade their existing game libraries. Some older Switch titles now support upgrade packs, offering better graphics, faster loading times, and in some cases, bonus content tailored to the new hardware. If you already own these games, here is how to access the upgrades and get more out of your collection. Nintendo offers two types of upgrades for existing Switch games: 1. Free Performance Updates: These are complimentary updates that enhance game performance on the Switch 2. Improvements may include better frame rates, faster load times, and support for new features like GameShare. Titles that have received such updates include: 2. Paid upgrade packs: These are purchasable enhancements that transform your existing games into "Switch 2 Editions," offering significant improvements and additional content. Notable titles with available upgrade packs include: Upgrade packs can be purchased through the Nintendo eShop, My Nintendo Store, or authorised retailers. Prices vary by game, but several are available starting at $19.99 (approximately ₹1,660 to ₹1,700 INR). Notably, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access certain upgrade packs, like those for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, at no additional cost. To access free performance updates: 1. Ensure your Nintendo Switch 2 is connected to the internet. 2. Navigate to the Nintendo eShop. 3. Search for the game title. 4. If an update is available, an option to download it will appear. These updates are automatically applied once downloaded, enhancing your gaming experience without additional cost. To purchase and access paid upgrade packs: 1. Open the Nintendo eShop on your Switch 2. 2. Search for the specific game title. 3. Select the available upgrade pack. 4. Proceed with the purchase and download the pack. Alternatively, you can purchase digital codes for upgrade packs from authorised retailers and redeem them through the eShop. Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service receive additional benefits: Ensure you're signed in to the correct Nintendo account with an active subscription to access these benefits. Physical copies of Switch games are compatible with the Switch 2. Some physical "Switch 2 Edition" games come with the upgrade pack included on the cartridge, eliminating the need for additional downloads. However, this may vary depending on the publisher, so it's advisable to check the game's packaging or description for details. With the Switch 2, Nintendo is breathing new life into fan-favourite titles, making it easier than ever to revisit them with modern enhancements. Free updates bring smoother performance, while paid upgrade packs unlock additional features and visual improvements. For those with a sizeable Switch library, the transition to the new console offers familiar favourites with noticeable improvements.
Metro
16-05-2025
- Metro
Nintendo admits Switch 2 will be missing a major technical feature at launch
After publishing 'incorrect' information about a Switch 2 feature on its website, Nintendo has issued an apology. While we know most things about the Switch 2, following last month's blowout, a lot of the finer details took a long time to seep out, via various updates and awkwardly added small print. Nintendo previously published the console's full specs on its website, which includes HDR10 and 4K support, but last month some people noticed an alteration to the text in relation to its VRR (variable refresh rate) functionality. This feature, which helps eliminate screen tearing without any knocks to the performance, was originally listed as being supported on Switch 2 in either docked or handheld mode. However, a few weeks later, the VRR support for TV play was removed from Nintendo's website. Now, almost a month later, Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 will not support VRR when the console is docked. 'Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode only,' a statement from Nintendo reads (via Nintendo Life). 'The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologise for the error.' When asked about the possibility of VRR support for docked mode being added in a future firmware update, Nintendo added: 'We have nothing to announce on this topic.' While it does seem possible to add the feature later as an update, it's still a disappointing hiccup for the Switch 2's launch, if you mostly play through the TV. It's unclear why VRR support wouldn't function across both handheld and docked, but many have speculated it could be related to the difficulty in transferring VRR support through the HDMI converter in the dock. If true, any solutions to the issue might need to come from a future hardware refresh, and not just a minor firmware update. If you want some positive news about the Switch 2's capabilities, however, Nintendo has outlined the details when it comes to free upgrades for original Switch games. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which were marred by performance issues and bugs on the original Switch, will receive 'optimised' visuals on the Switch 2 display and high resolution TVs, along with an 'improved' frame rate for 'smoother movement'. More Trending Several games, like Zelda: Link's Awakening, Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom, and ARMS, will receive HDR support, along with visual improvements (although no frame rate boosts for Link's Awakening, sadly). Super Mario Odyssey, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, 51 Worldwide Games, and Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain will all receive GameShare functionality, along with other visual improvements. Game Builder Garage, meanwhile, is the only title to get mouse support. Surprisingly, the most improved title is Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, which will receive optimised visuals, a better frame rate (Bower's Fury had some problems in that area), HDR support, and GameShare compatibility. You can check out the full list of updates here. The Switch 2 is set to launch worldwide on June 5, 2025, alongside first party games Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: PS5 live service plans in trouble again as Fairgames delay rumoured MORE: Hideo Kojima put a secret stash of game ideas on a USB stick for when he dies MORE: GTA 6 delay is to give Rockstar 'no limitations' as Take-Two commits to new date
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo releases fix for Switch boot-up error — here's how to install the update
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Earlier this week, Nintendo released a major update for the Switch that basically set the stage for the Switch 2 by adding virtual game cards, GameShare and system transfer among other features. Unfortunately though, the V20.0.0 firmware update also created errors for some Switch owners who found that their consoles wouldn't boot up and displayed an error code after installing the update. Nintendo acknowledged the issue on the Japanese Nintendo Support X account. "We are currently investigating how to deal with this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience, and ask that you wait for further information," the post reads (machine translated). We couldn't find any acknowledgement from the English-language Nintendo accounts. Today (May 2), Nintendo released a new update, V20.0.1, which is supposed to fix the boot up error. The update only fixes the bug, so you don't necessarily need to install it if you're not experiencing any problems with the V20.0.0 release. The only release note on the update says, "Fixed an issue where Error Code: 2206-1015 sometimes occurred when restarting the system after updating to system version 20.0.0." However, the update needs to be applied while your console is in Maintenance Mode since the 2206-1015 error prevents the Switch from booting up properly. Here are the steps Nintendo outlined to to install the update: Ensure the console is powered off. If the console does not respond, hold down the POWER Button for twelve seconds to force it to shut down. With the console powered off, hold down the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons, then press the POWER Button to turn the system on. Be sure to keep the volume buttons pressed down until the Maintenance Mode menu is displayed. Once in Maintenance Mode, select Update System and follow the prompts to complete this process. If a Parental Control PIN has been set for the system, you will be prompted to enter it. The PIN will need to be reset if you've forgotten it. Reach out to Nintendo's official support accounts for assistance if those steps don't help you install the update or if you're seeing a different error code. Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live updates: latest restock news and retailers to check now Nintendo just closed a Switch game-sharing loophole in new update — what you need to know Ever heard of a VPN? Take our survey and help shape our content
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo Virtual Game Card Update Closes Switch Loophole
Once you update your Nintendo Switch to version 20.0.0 (which came out on April 29), you should see icons for two new features that will also be on the upcoming Switch 2: GameShare and Virtual Game Card. Nintendo's new sharing system promises to help people play simultaneously from a single game copy (provided one of the consoles is a Switch 2), but, as Ars Technica points out, this coincides with the end of a similar situation that worked with just Switches. So long as you bought the digital copy of a game, you could have, for example, two players playing together with that same digital copy simultaneously. The key was to have an internet connection (and the purchasing Nintendo account) on the secondary console, instead of the primary. That system didn't work with physical copies. According to Ars Technica, that capability is gone, along with the Nintendo FAQ info on the topic. GameShare and the Virtual Game Cards are now the law of the Switch and Switch 2 land. The GameShare feature is Nintendo's new way of letting you share a single game with other players. The other players don't need to be part of your family account, but you must have a Switch 2 and own the game. You then share the game with the other Switches via local wireless (the other player must be nearby). The potential problem here is that the game must be 'compatible' with GameShare, suggesting that not all games will be. That adds confusion for people when they buy games—they need to check to make sure they'll be able to share them. We'll see how this shakes out when the Switch 2 arrives, but we have a sinking feeling that some expensive, popular games won't support GameShare. We can always hope. As for the Virtual Game Cards, they represent the games you buy digitally. You can load/unload them to move them to another Switch. If you have family members who own Switches (and are part of your Nintendo Account family group), you can also lend your virtual game cards to them for up to 14 days. Once you lend the game, you can't play it until you have it back, so Nintendo included a way for you to retrieve the game from the borrower if you need it before the end of the 14-day lending period. Interestingly, your Switch or Switch 2 should also have an Online License setting now. If you have a second Switch/Switch 2, you can skip the load/unload shenanigans and play a game without its Virtual Game Card present—so long as you have an internet connection.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Your Old Nintendo Switch Is Now Ready For The Switch 2
GameShare makes its way to Nintendo Switch. If you own a legacy Nintendo Switch, and you choose to update your system with the latest 20.0.0 patch, then you'll see that some interesting Switch 2 features have been added to the mix. Namely, the ability to use Nintendo's upcoming Virtual Game Card functionality for locally sharing digital software with friends and family, as well as the option to transfer precious data to a Nintendo Switch 2. Interestingly for me, the update came through today in real-time while I was working on my ongoing Road to Nintendo Switch 2 article series, which so far has included Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury and Super Mario Odyssey. It was a real reminder of the rapidly approaching June 5 Switch 2 console launch, and how soon gamers will be moving all their legacy Switch stuff over to brand new consoles. Plus, lending out their digital game libraries like it's 1993 and we're all taking SNES cartridges to school for trade. GameShare makes its way to Nintendo Switch. Apparently, GameShare won't currently work between two older Switch systems, which is a little silly, if you ask me. It has to be initiated on a Switch 2, and nobody has a Switch 2 yet, so this feature will be visible (and mocking us?) on the Switch's home screen, but remain frustratingly dormant, at least for the time being. We've got a month and change to wait before Nintendo launches its upcoming flagship console, so we'll need to hang tight. Additionally, you can peruse the new transfer options in the updated system settings, and you'll be able to partake in the big move either via local transfer or through the ominous cloud. According to the Big N, cloud data expires after a year, which should give you plenty of time to acquire a Switch 2 to house it or re-download the data to a legacy Switch. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder System transfers and licenses have always been a bit convoluted with Nintendo hardware, and this feels right on brand, honestly. So do the Virtual Game Cards, which, while rather consumer-friendly, have their own weird set of rules in terms of loaning the games out and getting them back. After all these years, Nintendo still marches to the best of its own drum, but hopefully these new features will feel mostly seamless. June 5 is right around the corner, and now our old Switch consoles are primed for the mothership that is the Switch 2. Mario Kart World can't arrive soon enough.
