June 5th, 2025 – In a move clearly signaling preparations for the imminent arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has today rolled out significant, free updates for eight major first-party Nintendo Switch titles. These updates are specifically designed to leverage the enhanced hardware capabilities of the upcoming console.
The surprise patches, available to download right now for all existing Switch owners, promise optimized performance and visual fidelity when these games are played on the successor system. This proactive step ensures that players' extensive libraries won't just be compatible with the Switch 2, but will genuinely look and run better from day one.
The confirmed list of games receiving free "Switch 2 Enhanced" updates includes:
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Further enhancing its already massive offering)
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Splatoon 3
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Pikmin 4
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3
While specific details on the exact enhancements (like potential resolution bumps, higher frame rates, improved texture filtering, or faster loading) are still emerging as players download the hefty updates, Nintendo's official channels confirm the patches are solely focused on unlocking the games' potential on the new hardware. For a detailed breakdown of the patch sizes and initial findings, check out the report over at Nintendo Life: PSA: Switch 2 Updates For Multiple First-Party Switch Games Are Now Available.
This strategy mirrors Nintendo's successful approach with the transition from the original Wii to the Wii U, where popular titles received similar "upgrade patches." It effectively future-proofs some of the Switch's most beloved and enduring games, adding significant value to the Switch 2's backward compatibility promise.
"This is a fantastic surprise," said avid Switch player Jamie R. "Knowing that games like Tears of the Kingdom and Smash Ultimate won't just run but will actually be improved on the new console makes me even more excited to upgrade. It shows Nintendo is really thinking about preserving our existing libraries."
The news was also quietly confirmed on Nintendo's Austrian website: Nintendo Switch 2: Kostenlose Spiel-Updates.
What this means for players:
- Own these games? Download the update now! The patches are live on the Nintendo eShop. Head to your game's icon on the Switch Home Menu, press the '+' button, and select "Software Update" > "Via the Internet".
- No extra cost: These enhancements are completely free for existing owners.
- Enhanced Backward Compatibility: This confirms that backward compatibility on the Switch 2 isn't just about running old games, but potentially enhancing them significantly.
- A glimpse of the future: While designed for the Switch 2, players might see minor improvements when these updated games are played on the original Switch or Switch OLED, though the major benefits are reserved for the new hardware.
This wave of updates is a clear indicator that Nintendo is actively preparing its ecosystem for the Switch 2 launch, expected later this year. It sweetens the deal for current Switch owners looking to upgrade and serves as a powerful reassurance about the longevity of their game collections. Whether more titles will receive similar patches remains to be seen, but for now, owners of these eight blockbusters have some exciting downloads waiting. It's well worth double-checking your updates today!
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