The Nintendo Switch 2 is right around the corner, and it's shaping up to be a rather interesting successor console indeed. Despite being buffeted by negative criticism for a number of unpopular or inexplicable decisions (like the choice to make the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour full-price instead of a packed-in tech demo), the Switch 2 is almost certain to land well with a good number of the first console's fans.

Nintendo has good reason to be confident about the Nintendo Switch 2, as it retains the strengths of its progenitor while being considerably, meaningfully more powerful. Its newfound processing power will allow the Switch 2 to run heavy-hitting games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, but it also opens the door to upgraded versions of Switch 1 releases, which is tantalizing. With the first Switch being so strongly maligned for its considerable lack of power in relation to its Sony and Microsoft counterparts, one can only hope that the Switch 2 will take full advantage of its newfound capabilities, and that starts with the games being ported and enhanced from the Switch 1.

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All Enhanced Switch 2 Games at Launch

The following upgrades will be available on the same day the Switch 2 launches, unless otherwise specified.

Switch Games That Get Free Switch 2 Upgrades

  • ARMS
  • Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
  • Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
  • Game Builder Garage
  • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
  • Pokémon Scarlet
  • Pokémon Violet
  • Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
  • Super Mario Odyssey
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Thus far, there are only a handful of original Switch games confirmed for a free upgrade on the Switch 2. Generally speaking, the Switch 2 editions of these games will implement graphical improvements, allowing them to output at higher resolutions, achieve better FPS, and in the case of games like ARMS, Echoes of Wisdom, and Super Mario Odyssey, HDR support.

Many of these titles will also be updated to support GameChat and GameShare features, like real-time game footage streaming and video chat. This is the biggest enhancement for Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain and Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, which do not appear to be receiving any notable visual upgrades, likely due to the rudimentary nature of their graphics. It should be noted that not every game in the above list is getting dedicated GameShare and GameChat support: ARMS, Game Builder Garage, Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Echoes of Wisdom, and Link's Awakening are only receiving graphical and performance enhancements.

Switch 1 Titles with Premium Upgrades

  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land (release date: August 28, 2025)
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (release date: TBA 2025)
  • Pokémon Legends: Z-A (release date: TBA 2025)
  • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
  • Shadow Labyrinth (release date: July 18, 2025)
  • Sid Meier's Civilization VII
  • Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (release date: August 27, 2025)
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree (release date: July 24, 2025)
  • Tamagotchi Plaza (release date: June 27, 2025)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land will cost $20 USD to upgrade, and will include a number of visual and performance enhancements, alongside new content, with Mario Party getting a number of new gameplay modes designed around Switch 2-exclusive features. Meanwhile, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will cost $10 USD to upgrade, or they can be upgraded for free for those with NSO + Expansion Pack subscriptions. Pricing for all the other above titles is to be determined.

As the games industry learned in the early days of the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, charging for access to next-gen features tends to be unpopular, but hopefully Nintendo can offset this with the addition of new content for such premium titles. Some criticism is likely to be expected in this respect, so it will be interesting to see how Nintendo's upgrade pricing structure is received in the long-run.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Tag Page Cover Art
Nintendo Switch 2
Display card main info widget
Brand
Nintendo
Operating System
Proprietary
Storage
256GB internal / MicroSD
Resolution
1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
App Store
Nintendo eShop
Wi-Fi
Yes
Display card main info widget end

The successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 5, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.

Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Ports
2x USB Type-C / 3.5mm audio
HDR Support
Yes
Original Release Date
June 5, 2025
Original MSRP (USD)
$449.99
See at Official Site