ICYMI: 12 Switch Games Will Receive Free Switch 2 Upgrades

I hope they keep this up. I would love to get to play Astral Chain, Pikmin 3 Deluxe, Brothership, Luigi's Mansion 2+3, Xenoblade X, Pokemon Legends Arceus, and Kirby Star Allies (well...maybe not the main game again, but Heroes in Another Dimension would be worth revisiting) at 60fps or more. Of those, Brothership is the only one that seems viable for a Switch 2 Edition (and I intentionally left out Pikmin 4 because it feels inevitable).

Oh look, is that an excuse to replay EoW?! Why yes, yes it is.

Hopefully Captain Toad adds support for the mic.

Might motivate me to try again on Echoes of Wisdom I guess. I lost interest after the second dungeon mostly due to being annoyed at how it wouldn't shut up but maybe an upgrade will motivate me to give it another shot.

I kind of suspect they're working on some kind of paid Three Houses upgrade because it's super noticeable it's not getting one of these and they were showing Engage instead of it in the Direct even though it's both a better-selling game and has more people who still care about it.

They’re really going to update Mario Odyssey just to give GameShare to the worst Co-Op mode I’ve ever seen in a game.

The lack of Super Mario Bros Wonder here seems pretty telling. I suspect, given it's a relatively recent release, that we'll be seeing a Switch 2 edition with DLC releasing within the next 12 months. If that turns out to be true and it reviews well, then I'll happily pick it up, as it would be like a new game for me.

at first I assumed they will provide substantial upgrade but I'll temper my expectations cause it might just improve performance and nothing else

Does the switch 2 output docked resolution for switch 1 games in handheld mode for games that didn't get an update?

I love free.99. 🧐 😁

They Ignore switch sport

I'd wager the Zelda games get performance boosts, the rest just get GameShare.

I hope we'll get some kind of upgrade for these too: Xenoblade Chronicles 1, 2, 3, and X, Fire Emblem Engage, Metroid Dread, Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Bayonetta 1-3, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Octopath Traveler 1 & 2, and Dragon Quest XI S?

Strangely, no Xenoblade Chronicles X, even though it was XBCX's "hidden 60fps mode" that tipped us all off to Switch 2 upgrades in the first place?

EoW needed it. I'm not hating, it's an amazing game. But the resolutions is kinda 😛

@somnambulance Probably just resolution and framerate bumps. Digital load times should automatically get a boost simply from being on the faster Switch 2 storage.

@Jalex_64 I think a Switch 2 edition of Mario Wonder is the most likely call for a September 40th anniversary direct other than the movie

@spottedleaf Here's hoping 🤞

GREAT! Now maybe I can finally play Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in 30fps! WOO-HOO!

ARMS RESURGEANCE INCOMING BABY

@spottedleaf something tells me a Switch 2 version is coming.

@Jalex_64 That actually is a good point, Mario Wonder is a weird absence.

Honestly I dunno if I'd pay for an upgrade for it or not? It's definitely a good game but I finished my third run of it recently (first two right when it came out) and I don't think it has the replayability that most other 2D Mario games have, can't see myself wanting to play it again for a long time.

That's understandable and I'd probably feel the same way in your shoes. However, as someone who's never played the Switch version and has a Switch 2 pre-ordered, it's probably best for me to wait and see at this point.

More will certainly be announced later. I suspect we might get a Direct between Switch 2's release and DK's release.

Oh boy I can't wait to play captain toad on a fourth console

Based on what they’ve decided to port over, it seems like they’ve made some sort of decision not to update their live service games (other than ARMs). Their live service type games such as Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Smash Bros all didn’t yet get an announced port.

@Jalex_64 nice point

Animal crossing?

At least that game.

I wish they'd do sword and shield and older games... Always with the laziness with Nintendo.

Hopefully wave 2 will include

Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity
ALL the Xenoblade Chronicles games
Astral Chain
Bayonetta 3
Luigi's Mansion 2 and 3 (or at least 3)
Metroid Prime Remastered
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
and
Mario and Luigi Brothership

@The_MANSLAYER 👍

What on earth would they do to Clubhouse Games? 4K dice?

@Bizzyb Agree i wanna see AOE more enemy on screen

Link's Awakening better be 'locked' at 60fps @1440p+. Currently, it targets 60 but suffers from plenty of frame rate hiccups, and it runs at a dynamic resolution in between 720p - 1080p.

So these aren't graphical upgrades like the TLOZ games? I'll obviously gratefully take them.

Nice. I own them all bar clubhouse

@NeonPizza We probably won’t see NS1 games running on NS2 with resolutions higher than 1080p.

Because 1080p is the highest resolution of the NS1 SDK, and I would be very surprised if Nintendo would raise this limit with its latest NS1 SDK just for improving these games on NS2. Because for that, Nintendo could port them directly to NS2, and this doesn’t seem to be the case with this 12 games.

I think that these 12 games will mainly get resolution updates to run natively 1080p both on handheld and docked on NS2.

@spottedleaf Xenoblade Chronicles X might just actually run at 60 fps on Switch 2 without an update. Nintendo already mentioned that some games might run better on Switch 2 (update or not) based on how the game was developed.

Manifesting Three Houses Switch 2 mode into the universe

@Thomystic 120 fps Mancala

There's no more excuse for me not to buy Pokémon Violet for my kid. He's been asking for it since it was released. I told him it runs bad and I'm gonna get it only if it's half the price. 😅

So happy ARMS getting a free upgrade. I hope they re-release it on Switch 2 with all the expansion data on card just to give it another life. And throw in balancing updates please (aka nerf Dr. Coyle). I would buy it for the 3rd time.

@slowpoke_tail
60fps 4-player split screen.

I need that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom upgrade lol. That game runs so bad lol

I was really hoping to see a Splatoon 3 update.

Arkham Knight and Civilization really need an update due to both long load times, crashes, input latency and frame rates dropping below 20 frames per second

@spottedleaf perhaps an updated version of wonder with its own Mario make ?

No Splatoon 3 or Pikmin 4 makes me sad.

Splatoon could’ve just simply updated the hub to run at 60fps if there were competitive concerns about boosting framerate elsewhere. Pikmin 4 could’ve just unlocked to 60fps. Boom. That’s all that’s needed. Let’s add Luigi’s Mansion 3 to the list now that I think about it, could also just run at 60fps.

It’s surprising to me that the console is using emulation to run OG Switch games and doesn’t have a built in way to boost performance the way XBox does. If Switch 2 is capable of boosting performance without a patch/update, they haven’t highlighted that fact at all.

I hope they add more to this list. Games like Mario Maker 2 would benefit a lot having mouse controls and games like Xenoblade 2 need some performance enhancements.
At least having games like ARMS or NSMBUD shows they are willing to update older games.

I just find it strange that they're even bothering to update games that have been long out of print.

I wonder if this means that some of these games will be reissued as "Enhanced For Nintendo Switch 2" releases for retail.

And at full price, of course. The days of Nintendo Selects is evidently long gone.

@SillyG To be honest, even having full price reprints of old games would be nice. Older non evergreen Nintendo games that stopped getting prints years ago like Xenoblade 2 or Fire Emblem Three Houses can get quite expensive in the second hand market.
Although if they do "Nintendo Select" style reprints, they won't be cheaper than 40-45 euros/dollars since those prices are the ones that Nintendo is willing to do when they put digital discounts on older games.

Are those 12 announced for release day, or just announced?

That's so awesome, really can't wait for launch date to come, there are so many things I'm looking forward to which are actually Switch 1 features but playing them better, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will both be getting a complete play through before I even begin to worry about buying new Switch 2 software.

Although I'm getting the bundle with MKW so I'm sure I'll be tempted into playing some of that too between BotW, much like how back in 2017 it was going between Zelda and MK8D when those were like.... 2 of the 10 games which were out for the system long ago.

So far, it doesn't seem like a Switch 1 game without any upgrade would get even a marginal improvement on Switch 2 regardless. Makes me prefer to just keep a game like that on 1 instead of having to transfer it over to 2.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mario Wonder gets a full-blown Switch 2 Edition with a new story, let alone a free update.

@dequesi This is a good question. I originally thought this was the release day list, but it doesn't look like they've committed to releasing these on release day, or committed to any other games getting free updates.

I hope the Ys games get an upgrade at some point.

I have 5 of those 12 games.

Maybe I didn't understand well, but if I got it right then the Switch 2 Editions saves and backups shouldn't be compatible with their Switch 1 counterparts, unless they purposely make them so. In this case, would we have backups for 2.x AND for 1.x or would the saves just get overwritten by the last used edition?
Btw, why make a Switch 2 edition of the Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics? lol

@jowy_sw : What I really want though are more reissues with any paid DLC on the cartridge.

I hope that means they've fixed the frame drops in Link's Awakening, they were really bugging me when I played it.

Age of Calamity could do with an upgrade too, probably all the Warriors games would benefit from more stable resolution and framerates!

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory has some frame drops as well, they're not terrible, but a little jarring on a couple of songs when trying to hit the notes on time.

Lord knows Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Age of Calamity could use some help in the resolution and frame rate department.

C'mon man I need an Animal Crossing performance upgrade, my island lags like hell and I refuse to deconstruct anything.

@spottedleaf because they'll make us pay for it. haha

Most of these are games that don't really need any upgrades. The two exceptions are Link's Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom; if they've cleaned up the framerate drops in those games, that's great!

How about an Arms 2 release?

I hope that means 60 frame Bowser’s Fury. A boost in graphics is literally the only thing it needs to be a perfect 4-5 hour experience.

@Kyloctopus You can’t even play online multiplayer in Mario Odyssey, why would they add GameShare to that when the players are literally next to each other the whole time?

@spottedleaf Have you lost faith in a new 3D Mario?

Super Mario Odyssey getting a graphics and performance upgrade would be great. Hopefully more games get updated in the feature.

@ParasolStars There’s a possibility that they may already run much better without a patch at all. If resolution is dynamic and frame rate drops below target, then hopefully the extra horsepower will help. We’ll have to wait and see!

Of these games, I only own the Mario's and Big Brain Academy.

Whatever they get, I don't mind.

@FishyS Long shot, but maybe the update will add back in the 5th player features from the Wii U version using mouse mode?

EDIT: Peach's Showtime is probably not there because it's entirely developed by an outside contractor. All of these titles are developed or co-developed internally

@SillyG oh, yeah. That would be good too. The only case that happened with Nintendo games on Switch 1 that I can remember is with the Pokémon games. Even when MK8D got one of those bundles, the DLC was in a code.

@PikaPhantom astral chain and xejoblade with better visuals would be awesome the games look good already.

@StewdaMegaManNerd 3D mario is the thing I most desperately want in the world. It was a shocking disappointment when we got DK instead last month. I want to believe it HAS to come on the anniversary. But after DK i can't be sure. I think it's the third most likely call and if it is announced I would see a Feb or March release

@jowy_sw : The DLC wasn't a code, the reissue was released before the software update containing the final wave of tracks was available, so it still had to be downloaded, rather than being fully playable from the cart alone.

I believe there has since been a reprint with absolutely everything on the cartridge though, and likewise with the Scarlet/Violet DLC bundles (which also released prematurely).

@Jalex_64 I feel the same way about Pikmin 4. It didn’t get a free upgrade, and it never received dlc.

They're gonna slowly share our free updates like the Online membership Retro games or Music App stuff aren't they?

Insane that at the very least XBC X isn't getting a free upgrade right off the bat.

My most wanted upgrades would be 60fps options for the Xenoblade games. I will even pay for it if I have to!

After that, give me 4K Smash Ultimate with improved online.

Knowing Nintendo, there won't be any performance update (for free).
They'll just add GameShare or some other feature I couldn't care less about...

Some of those updates will most likely remove Switch 1 games features that is incompatible with Switch 2 consoles.

Really want to know " how " each game is enhanced. Performance and graphics please.

Wait... Game Builder Garage is both an incompatible game AND one with a free update? Does that set a precedent? What does it meannn???

Big Brain Academy was a fun Wii and DS game that was equally fun on the Switch 1 too.

I'm not sure I want to take space up by porting all these to my Switch 2 console. We'll see.

Kirby, LoZ seem to be getting significant upgrades therefore.

@NintendoLife STOP calling them upgrades! They're just UPDATES to improve basic playability. Those games probably encountered fundamental issues through Switch 2's encryption, and needed a dedicated update just to run normally.

These free updates are NOT comparable to Upgrade Packs. You're only spreading misinformation and confusion.

I'm pretty excited for ARMS to receive an update. That game is really fun and deserves another look.

Cool.

Hopefully Kirby Star Allies, Kirby's Dream Buffet, and many others get their shares of the pie.

@PikaPhantom ...I guess I'm the only one who liked Kirby Star Allies' main campaign. Heroes in Another Dimension was cool, but I felt that its only reason to play through it was unlocking the three Mage Sisters as Dream Friends.

@Ulysses
https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/transfer-guide/games-with-free-updates/?srsltid=AfmBOoqpmipJ6pf4gD9kHQIWtX061_KKEhaqsztHVSmO6gygqWXoITg5
"Improve performance"

@Scapetti I'm assuming the free update for that one is basically just a patch that makes it work on the Switch 2

Smash deserves one aswell

These updates are probably just a patch to make them playable and add GameShare. I doubt it will include anything noteworthy, otherwise they would certainly have mentioned it.

I'm 5 minutes into your video - I think you're in for a massive disappointment across the board. 120 Hz, higher resolution, mouse controls, new content?
The fact that Nintendo kept this so low key means there's going to be barely anything. "(...) may improve performance or add support for features such as GameShare" is what they promise, and that's going to be it. I'll be pleasantly surprised if the 2D Zelda games get the stuttering removed.

Bring mouse support to Super Mario Maker 2! Smash Ultimate should get a 4K / 60 or 1080p / 120hz mode.

Where are Metroid Prime, Dread upgrades?

Nothing for Super Mario Wonder? Pikmin 4 or the Pikmin ports?

Nothing… nothing at all for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Animal Crossing? Seems a bit silly to delay the roll out of upgrades for key games for the system.

Nintendo and Free in same sentence?

Is this a first wave? Do we expect more? What about 3rd parties?

So not sure here are these games switch 2 versions or just patches to work better on switch 2, like the latest 60 frames patch for Far Cry 4 on ps5

@NintendoWife the display must technically be about to do 120fps so let’s slap that on the box but there’s so few Xbox series X games that support this at a decent recoslution it’s as useless as ray tracing. At the rate nintendo develops their systems it will be switch 4 before there’s actually a good amount of 120fps games and or ray tracing.

@Hwatt there’s no way they’re upgrading Mario kart 8. They want people to move on from that as fast as possible.

@Hwatt I do think Mario maker could use that mouse support though. Would have been nice on the original switch if I could have plugged in a usb mouse. It really shouldn’t be this complicated.

@sixrings I was specifically referring to this article, their speculations and high hopes for free upgrades of older titles.

@sixrings 100% Mario Maker with Switch support would be great. Maybe they’re cooking Mario Maker 3 that will support mouse but it would be a nice upgrade…

@sixrings

I think at launch, it makes sense to your point and avoid. However, a free patch 3-6 months down the line would be nice considering it’s owned by 1/2 the Switch population!

Surprised no one mentioned mouse mode for Game Builder Garage. Seems like an obvious improvement. But it would be great if they'd add online game sharing.

@PikaPhantom lol, there was no comeback after your correction

As someone pointed out these aren't really upgrades. More updates to enable smooth Switch 2 playability with those additional features like GameShare. They're not the LoZ or Kirby upgrades that you have to pay out for. This is another thing that may cause consumers confusion unfortunately

Mario & luigi brothership, really needs the Switch 2 upgrade. What an amazing game. I am going to revisit it if that happends. It had some struggles, because of that Unreal engine.

Definitely fancy playing Link's Awakening again, and I'd be curious to finally pull the trigger on Pokémon Scarlet/Violet — once they lay out how extensive the improvements are

An ARMS update? Sign me the ***** up. ❤️❤️

@jsty3105 I was simply away from the website for a while lol, I don't hound every comment.

@PikaPhantom It only says "may improve performance." That little word at the front of the phrase makes a big difference.

Performance can also mean a basic functioning of the game. Essentially they're saying these updates may improve performance incidentally, but the focus on these free updates is improving the functional performance of those games. That's why they lead with "playability."

These are not at all like Upgrade Packs, and people are going to set themselves up for disappointment by expecting otherwise.

@Ulysses Of course not, because Upgrade Packs both include some degree of new content (at least for existing titles) and improve the visuals to a greater extent. At the very least, both Zelda games and Prime 4 appear to have improved texture quality. But there's no reason for them to issue patches to games like Link's Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom if the point isn't improving performance.

@PikaPhantom Only a couple of upgrade packs offer new content. Most upgrade packs only offer frame rate + resolution improvements, like Pokemon and Metroid (MP4 has the benefit of also offering display modes and improved textures).

In fact, very important distinction is that the $20 upgrade packs including new content distinguish the content with a "+ [DLC name]" as a completely separate product from the upgrade pack. Kirby's Switch 2 Edition is listed as "Kirby and the Forgotten Land + upgrade pack + Star-crossed World"

I watched the Treehouse videos closely, and I did not see any evidence of improved textures for BOTW/TOTK.

And as proof, the feature sets listed with each upgrade pack did not mention anything about improved textures for BOTW/TOTK, unlike MP4's upgrade pack. BOTW/TOTK's upgrade packs only offer frame rate, resolution, load times, and Zelda Notes.

As for your last point, there is absolutely a point in giving free updates to the first-party games that do not run well on Switch 2 at a basic level. Glitches, game crashes, etc., are most likely why those games are receiving free updates. Again, while they're messing with the code, there may be incidental improvements like unlocked frame rate, slightly better load times, snappier menu navigation, etc., but they are not promising performance improvements across the board like an upgrade pack. They will look and perform like a Switch 1 game for the most part.