Nintendo Showcases Switch Games Upgraded for Switch 2

Nintendo released a video trailer this week that shows how many original Switch games now run better on the Switch 2 console. The company aims to make the switch from the old system to the new one easy for players by offering free updates and enhanced editions. This move helps owners keep playing their libraries without starting over.

Background

The Nintendo Switch launched in 2017 and sold over 140 million units worldwide. It mixed handheld and TV play, which made it a hit. Now, with the Switch 2 out, Nintendo wants to build on that success. The new console has a better screen, stronger graphics power, and features like HDR support. Players can take their old games and make them look and feel new on the hardware.

Nintendo has split updates into a few types. Some games get free patches that boost image quality and frame rates. Others turn into full Nintendo Switch 2 Editions with big changes, like new content or better controls. There are also games that just run smoother on Switch 2 without any patch, thanks to the extra power. This setup lets Nintendo support both new buyers and longtime fans.

The video trailer recaps these changes. It pulls together clips from various games to show side-by-side comparisons. Before the Switch 2, some titles had frame drops or lower resolution. Now they match high-end TVs and run steady at higher speeds. Nintendo timed many updates around the Switch 2 launch last year, with more rolling out into 2026.

Key Details

Nintendo lists over a dozen games with free updates ready now or soon. Animal Crossing: New Horizons got its patch on January 15, 2026. The update sharpens visuals for the Switch 2 screen and improves overall image quality.

Super Mario Odyssey also updated on June 5, 2025. It now supports HDR for brighter colors and deeper blacks on compatible TVs. Two players can share the game locally or online through GameChat, with one controlling Mario and the other his hat, Cappy.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet both improved frame rates for smoother movement. Their visuals now fit the Switch 2 display and high-res TVs. Splatoon 3 got a similar boost, especially in busy areas like the plaza.

Enhanced Editions and New Releases

Some games go further with Switch 2 Editions. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has a version plus new content called Meetup in Bellabel Park, set for spring 2026. These editions add exclusive levels or modes not on the original Switch.

New titles fill out the lineup too. NBA 2K26 arrives September 25, 2025, with the full features of its PlayStation 5 and Xbox versions. Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac follows on September 26, with upgraded graphics. Lynked: Banner of the Spark mixes action and life-sim play and launched September 12, 2025.

Other upcoming games include City Hunter on February 26, 2026, a remake of a 1990 classic. LoveR Kiss: Endless Memories enhances its romance story with new photo modes on November 27, 2025. Titles like Enter the Gungeon 2 and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes hit in 2026 with fresh graphics and mechanics.

"These updates make the best games from Switch even better on Switch 2, with sharper visuals and smoother play." – Nintendo official statement

GameShare adds social play. For example, up to four people can join Big Brain Academy in Party Mode via local or online chats. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker lets two players tackle courses together.

What This Means

Players with large Switch libraries get more value from their purchase. No need to rebuy games—just download the free update and play. This keeps communities alive in multiplayer titles like Splatoon 3 or Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics.

For new Switch 2 owners, the enhanced games bridge the gap until full next-gen exclusives arrive. Farming sim My Time at Evershine and puzzle game Opus: Prism Peak show variety coming soon. Sports fans gain from NBA 2K26 matching top consoles.

The strategy points to Nintendo's focus on family-friendly play across generations. Free updates lower barriers, while editions encourage upgrades. Games like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening now shine on bigger screens with HDR.

Third-party support grows too. Remasters like Blood: Refreshed Supply and new ports like Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game bring fresh options. Roguelites such as Ball X Pit and Bit Boy Arcade 2 test the hardware's speed.

Overall, these changes make the Switch 2 feel like a true successor. Libraries carry over seamlessly, with boosts that refresh old favorites. More updates and games are on the way through 2026, keeping the console busy.