Pokémon Scarlet & Violet could finally look… less rough.
As Nintendo gears up for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch on June 5, the company has officially shared more information about which games will receive free performance upgrades—and which might ask you to cough up some cash.
While some flagship titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will get paid upgrade options, several first-party Nintendo games will be updated for free, giving players improved visuals, better performance, and even new features like GameShare and GameChat.
🎮 Which Games Are Getting Free Switch 2 Upgrades?
Nintendo confirmed that a number of titles will receive automatic enhancements through a system update. These free upgrades may include:
- Higher resolution support
- Improved frame rates
- HDR support
- Optimized visuals for Switch 2’s new screen
- GameShare and GameChat features
Some highlights include:
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet – A much-needed graphical upgrade to improve their notoriously choppy visuals.
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – Frame rate boosts to keep the action silky smooth.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom – New HDR support for more vivid visuals.
🧢 Mario Gets a Co-Op Upgrade
One of the biggest surprises is that Super Mario Odyssey is getting a GameShare update that will allow co-op play: one player controls Mario, the other plays as Cappy. Even better, players can team up locally or online, thanks to GameChat, Nintendo’s new built-in voice and video chat feature that feels a lot like Discord.
GameChat will be free to use at launch, but heads up: once the “Welcome Offer” expires on March 31, 2026, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to keep chatting.
🧾 What’s the Catch?
Not all games will get free upgrades. Titles like Breath of the Wild will require a paid upgrade to access Switch 2 enhancements, although details about pricing and content are still under wraps.
As Nintendo puts it:
“You can download free updates for selected games that may improve graphics or add support for features such as GameShare. The contents of these free updates will differ depending on the game.”
Translation: some games will get minor tweaks, others could feel brand new.
📅 Countdown to Launch
With the Nintendo Switch 2 dropping on June 5, these free upgrades will be available either at launch or shortly after via system update. For a full breakdown of supported titles and new features, head to Nintendo’s official site.
TL;DR
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet will look better (finally).
- Mario Odyssey gets co-op with GameShare and GameChat.
- Some upgrades are free, some are paid (Zelda, we’re looking at you).
- Switch 2 launches June 5, so it’s time to clear space on your shelf—and maybe your wallet.
