Free Nintendo Switch 2 Updates Coming to 12 Must-Play Nintendo Games

The Nintendo Switch 2 arrives on June 5. In addition to the anticipated new games, the system will feature backwards compatibility, so you can play most of your old Switch 1 games on the new system. Some games will even be receiving Switch 2 upgrades. These upgrades might be as simple as polishing the graphics, or they might include new gaming content. According to Nintendo, twelve Switch 1 games will receive free Switch 2 upgrades. You’ll have to pay for the upgrades for other games.

Free Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrades

These twelve games will be getting free upgrades on the day of the Switch 2’s release, according to Nintendo’s list.

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

All the games except Big Brain Academy and 51 Worldwide Games will get enhanced visuals. Game Builder Garage will get Joy-Con mouse support. Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 3D World, Big Brain Academy, 51 Worldwide Games, and Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker will receive GameShare multiplayer support. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Super Mario 3D World, and ARMS will have improved framerate. Super Mario Odyssey, Link’s Awakening, Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario 3D World, ARMS, and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker will get HDR support.

Paid Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrades

Nintendo will also be selling upgrade packs for select games. The packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will cost $10 each or be available for free with a Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription. The packs for Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land will cost $20 each.

Conclusion

While it’s nice that these upgrades are being offered for free, there’s nothing in the free upgrades to really get excited about. Since the Nintendo Switch 2 has already become infamous for its high prices, it might help Nintendo’s image to offer some free extra content to older Switch 1 games. Moreover, some Switch 1 classics such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are noticeably absent from the list. Perhaps this is because Nintendo expects players to abandon these games in favor of the Nintendo Switch 2 entries in the respective franchises.