Nintendo Announces Complimentary Switch 2 Upgrades for Select Games

Okay, so here’s the thing about these Nintendo Switch upgrades. I guess some games, like Breath of the Wild, are getting new paid updates for Switch 2. Which, honestly, feels like when an old friend shows up with a new haircut and expects you to notice. Anyway, other games get free updates. Yay? Or maybe not—depends on your perspective, I guess.

Take Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, for example. I mean, those games need all the performance boosting they can get. It’s like giving coffee to a sleepy sloth. Meanwhile, games like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe already did their job pretty well on the original Switch. So, those guys kind of lucked out.

Now, speaking of upgrades, Nintendo’s throwing in free updates. They’re like little surprise gifts you didn’t ask for. These updates can jazz up the graphics or add quirky features like GameShare. But what exactly are these updates? Nintendo plays it coy—like when someone gives you a vague spoiler, and you’re left wondering what it really means.

And let’s chat screens and resolutions, shall we? Most games will step up their graphics game to match the Switch 2’s better screen and fancier TV resolutions. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury gets smoother frame rates. Not that I’ve noticed frame rates much, but hey, smoother is usually better, right?

Oh, and there’s HDR support coming for some. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening gets this shiny update—I hope it makes those cute little graphics pop like they’re jumping off the screen. Does anyone else remember how these games used to look pixelated enough to make HD seem like a fever dream?

But here’s where things get spicy: GameShare and GameChat—the real headline grabbers. Imagine playing Super Mario Odyssey, where you and a friend can split duties: one controls Mario, and the other helms Cappy. Local or online sharing. Especially with GameChat, it’s like Nintendo hijacked Discord. So you can gab with pals mid-game. By the way, this cool chat feature is free until March 31, 2026. Then? Well, you’ll need a Switch Online membership—kind of like when free trials end and you awkwardly decide if you really want to commit.