"Nintendo Switch 2 Enhances Original Games"

The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, and as previously reported, it boasts impressive backwards compatibility with Switch 1 games. However, Nintendo is taking it a step further by introducing specially enhanced versions of Switch 1 games for the Switch 2. These enhancements go beyond mere graphical upgrades and frame rate improvements, offering a richer gaming experience.

Nintendo has categorized the games playable on the Switch 2 into three types: native Switch 2 games, which are exclusive to the new console; compatible Switch 1 games, which can be played directly on the Switch 2; and Switch 2 Edition games, which are enhanced versions of Switch 1 titles designed to leverage the new hardware's capabilities.

This classification does not include the classic games available through Nintendo Switch Online, which offers a library spanning NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and now GameCube titles.

So What Comes in a Switch 2 Edition Game?

During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, it was revealed that Switch 2 Edition games will offer significant enhancements over their Switch 1 counterparts. For instance, Super Mario Party Jamboree's Switch 2 Edition will introduce Jamboree TV, utilizing the new Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, Switch 2 microphone, and the separately sold Switch 2 USB-C camera. Alongside a resolution upgrade to 1440p in TV mode and improved frame rates, new minigames and online features will be added.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a cross-gen title, will support mouse controls with Joy-Con 2 and offer multiple display modes. Quality Mode will deliver 60fps at 4K when docked or 1080p at 60fps in handheld, while Performance Mode will achieve 120fps at 1080p when docked or 120fps at 720p in handheld, all with HDR support.

Other Switch 2 Edition titles will include new story content, such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Star-Crossed World add-on. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will integrate with the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App, providing in-game guides and assistance. Meanwhile, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will focus on performance and resolution enhancements.

When are the Switch 2 Edition Games Coming?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, with the first batch of Switch 2 Edition games launching simultaneously. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be available on launch day. Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV will follow on July 24, 2025, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s update will arrive on August 28, 2025. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A are slated for release sometime in 2025, though specific dates are yet to be announced.

Pricing for Switch 2 Editions varies. If you don't own the Switch 1 version, you can buy the Switch 2 Edition at retail, identifiable by its new red-colored physical game case and a prominent Switch 2 logo on digital versions.

For those who already own the Switch 1 version and wish to access the Switch 2 Edition upgrades, an upgrade pack will be necessary. These packs will be available at select retailers, the official My Nintendo Store, and Nintendo eShop, though the cost has not yet been disclosed. Some upgrade packs, such as those for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, will be included with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, which also provides access to online features and the classic game library.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Nintendo Switch Editions

4 ImagesIn summary, Nintendo Switch 2 Editions promise to enhance your gaming experience with new features and improved performance. With its backward compatibility and these enhanced editions, Nintendo is ensuring a smooth transition to the new console, bolstering its launch library with improved versions of beloved Switch classics.

For more details on the Nintendo Switch 2, explore the news from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, including pricing and pre-order information.