Get ready to see your Nintendo Switch game library in a whole new light! The much-anticipated Switch 2 isn’t just about new games; it’s also giving a significant boost to many titles you already own, completely free. Tech analysis experts at Digital Foundry have taken a deep dive into these “day one” upgrades provided by Nintendo, and the results are genuinely exciting.
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The key takeaway? These free updates dramatically improve performance, offering smoother frame rates and sharper resolutions for a selection of existing Switch games. It’s like getting free remasters for titles that might have struggled on the original hardware.
What Are These Free Upgrades?
Nintendo launched the Switch 2 with updates available for several existing Switch games. These aren’t paid DLC or new versions; they’re free patches that automatically enhance certain games when played on the new console.
Digital Foundry’s team, John Linneman and Oliver Mackenzie, put these upgrades to the test. Their findings reveal substantial improvements, particularly in areas where original Switch performance was less consistent.
Seeing is Believing: Which Games Get a Boost?
Digital Foundry highlighted several games that benefit greatly from the Switch 2’s power.
Smoother Adventures: The Legend of Zelda
Games like Link’s Awakening and the newer Echoes of Wisdom, which sometimes had choppy performance on the original Switch, now run at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS) with higher resolutions. This means a much smoother, more enjoyable experience exploring Hyrule.
As Digital Foundry put it, “It’s borderline like a free remaster, it genuinely feels like something they [Nintendo] could have released for a price, and I’m glad they didn’t.”
Digital Foundry video thumbnail showing gameplay examples of Nintendo Switch games running on Switch 2 with enhanced performance and graphics.
Mario’s World Gets Sharper
Super Mario Odyssey, already a fantastic game, gets a significant visual bump. In docked mode (connected to your TV), the resolution jumps from around 900p (which is less than Full HD) to a dynamic 1800p (much closer to 4K sharpness). The frame rate is now locked at a steady 60FPS, meaning no more dips in the action during hectic platforming.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury also sees impressive results. Bowser’s Fury especially hits a dynamic 1800p resolution in docked mode with locked 60FPS. Even in handheld mode, it’s a “huge” step up, running at 60FPS and 1080p (Full HD).
Splatoon 3 Looks Inked in 4K
Competitive online games need smooth performance, and Splatoon 3 delivers on Switch 2. It jumps from a dynamic 1080p to full 4K resolution when docked to your TV. Performance is a locked 60FPS everywhere, even in the busy city hub. Playing in handheld mode is also improved, offering 1080p resolution at 60FPS.
More Games, More Polish
Other titles also benefit:
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker goes from 1080p to 1440p in docked mode on Switch 2 (staying at 1080p in handheld) while maintaining a solid 60FPS.
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe now runs at a sharp 4K when docked and 1080p in portable mode, with 60FPS performance across the board.
These examples show a clear pattern: higher resolutions for sharper images and locked 60FPS for buttery-smooth gameplay, often fixing previous performance issues.
Fixing the Biggest Headaches
Digital Foundry noted that perhaps the “most substantial” free upgrades are for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While not detailed here, these updates tackle some of the most widely reported performance problems in those games, making them much more stable and enjoyable. These free fixes essentially solve major technical flaws present in the original versions.
Beyond just frame rates and resolution, the analysis also touches upon other enhancements, like improved shadow detail in games such as Bowser’s Fury and the application of HDR (High Dynamic Range) support to these titles for better contrast and colors if you have a compatible display.
The Value of Free Improvements
Overall, Digital Foundry concluded that these free updates are “really nice upgrades” and that Nintendo has done an “awesome job.” Getting significant performance and visual enhancements for games you already own, without paying extra, is a fantastic benefit of the new hardware. It breathes new life into your existing library and makes games that might have had technical hiccups run as smoothly as they were intended.
