5 days ago
Nintendo Switch 2 updates for over 12 Switch games live now including Pokémon
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, and others have all received widespread improvements on the Switch 2 console, as Nintendo releases the full patch notes.
While the core appeal of the Switch 2 might hinge on new exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, the new console will also improve the performance of many existing Switch 1 titles.
Nintendo previously confirmed 12 original Switch games would receive improvements on the Switch 2, ranging from ARMS and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury.
Ahead of the Switch 2's launch on Thursday, June 5, Nintendo has rolled out these updates, with some titles not previously mentioned also getting minor upgrades.
Beyond the aforementioned titles, the other previously confirmed games with Switch 2 updates are Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, Zelda: Link's Awakening, Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom, Big Brain Academy: Brain Vs. Brain, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Game Builder Garage, and 51 Worldwide Games.
The updates vary between titles, but some add GameShare support (where you can share games locally with just one cartridge), mouse controls, or improvements to the visuals and frame rate.
These will benefit certain games more than others, but the improvements to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which was marred by technical issues on the original Switch, appear to be quite drastic.
Nintendo has released footage on the Nintendo Today app to highlight the improved visuals and frame rate, and it looks like a far smoother experience. Even though it was the bugs that were the main problem at release.
All these updates are officially live now, so anyone who is picking up a Switch 2 can take advantage of them from launch day. More Trending
Aside from these titles, a number of updates have rolled out for other original Switch games too, namely Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Kirby's Dream Buffet, Kirby Star Allies, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
These updates appear to be less substantial, so we haven't listed them below, but all of them (minus Pikmin 3 Deluxe) have the same vague line in the patch notes: 'Several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.'
Some of these have specific changes, with both Zelda titles getting additional language settings, while the update for Pikmin 3 Deluxe is to fix an issue where 'the entire screen flickers during some scenes in the game, such as when a day starts and ends'. An update is promised 'in the near future' to fix the issue completely on Switch 2.
As for the other updates, you can check out the full patch notes below.
ARMS Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Frame rate: Optimized for Nintendo Switch 2 for smoother movement (even when playing with 3 or more players).
HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Frame rate: Improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2.
Super Mario Odyssey Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
Added support for GameShare.
Two players can play, with one controlling Mario while the other controls Cappy.
The user who will host the GameShare session should select 'Resume 2P' on the title screen or 'Two Players' on the Pause menu, then select 'GameShare + Local Play' or 'GameShare + GameChat'.
Zelda: Link's Awakening Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Added a feature to display only favorited echoes in the list of echoes after 30 or more echoes have been learned.
Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
Fixed various issues to create a smoother gaming experience.
Big Brain Academy: Brain Vs. Brain Added support for GameShare.
Party Mode content can be played with up to 4 users.
The user who will host the GameShare session should select 'GameShare' on the mode selection screen after launching the software. They can then choose to use GameShare with Local Users or with GameChat members.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Game Builder Garage Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Added support for Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Up to 8 Joy-Con 2 can be used. (As up to now, 1 USB mouse can be used, as well.)
As a result of improved processing speed, there may be some changes in behavior in games that were made previously on Nintendo Switch.
51 Worldwide Games Added Korean as a supported language.
Added support for GameShare: You can play 34 kinds of games with up to 4 players.
The user who will host the GameShare session should select 'GameShare' from the main menu, then 'Via GameChat' or 'Play With Local Users'.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
Added support for GameShare.
Two people can play all the courses, and each person can have their own unique display that is easier to see.
The person sharing can press the – button on the title screen or course select screen or go to 'Partner Adventure' in the pause menu and select 'GameShare + Local Play' or 'GameShare + GameChat.'
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
Frame rate: Optimized for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2 (including Bowser's Fury).
HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness (Bowser's Fury only). Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
Added support for GameShare.
You can play Super Mario 3D World with up to four people. Press R on the course select screen for 'Local/Online,' and then choose 'GameShare + Local Users' or 'GameShare + GameChat.'
In Bowser's Fury, two players can play, with one controlling Mario while the other controls Bowser Jr. Once you can control Mario, press the + button to open 'Menu,' and then choose 'Local/Online,' and then choose 'GameShare + Local Users' or 'GameShare + GameChat.'
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