Nintendo Switch 2’s Free Game Upgrades Deliver Major Performance and Visual Boosts

Image: switch and switch 2 games, free games update (via Digital Foundry)

With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, players aren’t just getting new hardware — they’re also seeing significant improvements to older games, thanks to a wave of free upgrade patches. While Nintendo’s decision to charge for some "Switch 2 Editions" stirred a bit of debate, the lineup of complimentary updates for existing titles offers a pretty compelling reason to revisit these classics.

According to Digital Foundry (via Eurogamer), several first-party games are receiving substantial boosts in both performance and resolution. Notably, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom now run at a consistent 60 frames per second — a dramatic improvement over the original’s inconsistent frame pacing that often swung between 30fps and 60fps. According to performance analysis by Digital Foundry, these games now scale up to 1620p in docked mode and hit native 1080p on handheld — a far cry from the sub-600p visuals players dealt with before.

It’s not just Zelda getting the glow-up. Super Mario Odyssey sees its resolution leap from a dynamic 900p to a crisp dynamic 1800p in docked mode, while maintaining a smooth 60fps throughout. Visual artifacts and animation downgrades seen in areas like New Donk City have also been resolved. On handheld, Nintendo has ditched the old interlaced rendering trick and now outputs a clean native 1080p image, giving the game a fresh feel without altering its charm.

Likewise, Super Mario 3D World and Bowser’s Fury benefit from big upgrades. The former hits a steady 1800p with no hiccups in framerate, while the latter — which previously dropped to 30fps on handheld — now runs at a rock-solid 60fps in both modes. Load times are halved in some cases, making gameplay feel far snappier.

Splatoon 3 quietly received a surprise update too. Though it wasn’t originally listed among the launch upgrades, it now supports dynamic 4K resolution in docked mode and runs its city hub at 60fps — double the original cap. On handheld, it keeps pace with a jump to 1080p, matching the Switch 2’s improved display.

Other games like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe also benefit from visual enhancements, though results vary.

Overall, these free patches breathe new life into beloved titles. The Switch 2’s boosted CPU and GPU have clearly been put to good use, resolving long-standing performance issues and enhancing visual fidelity across the board.