Nintendo’s free Switch 2 updates add game-specific enhancements to selected Nintendo Switch titles—not a universal upgrade for every Switch game. Depending on the title, an update can improve visuals or frame rate, add HDR or Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, or expand multiplayer through GameShare. Nintendo’s live list includes updates through September 2026; check it for the latest titles and availability dates.
What the free updates change
There is no single set of improvements applied across the catalog. Nintendo lists changes title by title, and some games receive more than one kind of enhancement.
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Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Visuals and performance: Some updates optimize a game’s visuals for Switch 2 or improve its frame rate. Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, for example, list visual optimization and smoother movement from an improved frame rate.
- HDR: Certain titles add high dynamic range. The update for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury lists HDR for Bowser’s Fury only, alongside visual and frame-rate improvements.
- GameShare and multiplayer: Some updates let players share specific games or add multiplayer options. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker supports two players across all courses with GameShare; Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics supports sharing 34 games with up to four people.
- Joy-Con 2 mouse controls: Game Builder Garage adds mouse controls, as does Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2.
- Other title-specific features: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lists faster loading, up to eight local players on one system, and CameraPlay, in addition to visual optimization.
These are examples, not a complete catalog. Nintendo’s official Switch 2 game list is the place to check the full current roster, each game’s exact enhancements, and its update date.
Examples from Nintendo’s update list
Nintendo’s dates indicate when each update became available. This selection illustrates how the changes vary by game; it does not imply that every Switch title receives an update.
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#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
| Game | Update available | Enhancements Nintendo lists |
|---|---|---|
| ARMS | June 5, 2025 | Visual optimization for the Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs, a smoother frame rate including with three or more players, and HDR. |
| Super Mario Odyssey | June 5, 2025 | Visual optimization, HDR, and two-player Mario and Cappy GameShare. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | June 5, 2025 | Visual optimization and HDR. |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | January 15, 2026 | Visual optimization. |
| Pikmin 3 Deluxe | August 31, 2026 | Visual optimization and Bingo Battle GameShare. |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | September 1, 2026 | Visual optimization, faster loading, up to eight local players on one system, and CameraPlay. |
Other June 5, 2025 updates include visual optimization and HDR for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening; visual optimization and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls for Game Builder Garage; and visual and frame-rate improvements, HDR for Bowser’s Fury only, and GameShare multiplayer for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. The live Nintendo list also includes Pokémon Champions, whose visual-optimization update became available April 8, 2026.
How to download an update
- Connect your Nintendo Switch 2 to the internet and perform a system update.
- While connected to the internet, launch the Switch game from the HOME Menu.
- If an update is available for that game, follow the on-screen prompt to download it.
Nintendo describes this process in its free-update announcement. The update must be available for that particular game.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
- Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***
GameShare access depends on the game and session
GameShare is not the same as giving another player a copy of a game. Nintendo says supported games can be shared locally to a Switch 2 or Switch, or online to another Switch 2 through GameChat. The available modes and player counts vary by title. A recipient can play only during the GameChat session in which the game was shared; access ends when that session ends.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Free updates are different from paid Switch 2 Edition upgrades
Nintendo distinguishes free updates from paid upgrades. Some games have paid upgrades that add content or improve performance; these are separate from the free enhancements listed for selected Switch games. Check the game’s Nintendo listing to see which kind of change applies.
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- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
Compatibility is not guaranteed for every Switch game
Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, but Nintendo warns that some titles may not be supported or fully compatible. A free enhancement is an additional, game-specific update—not a promise that every Switch game works perfectly on Switch 2 or receives new features. Consult Nintendo’s compatibility and update list for the title you own.
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