Nintendo Switch 2: Eight more games get free updates ahead of console's launch

Just before the Switch 2 will ship out to customers, Nintendo has released patches for eight more games, in addition to the previously announced updates for twelve titles. The company didn’t provide any reasons for patching these games, but they include rather minor changes in comparison to the update for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which doubled the frame rate to 60 frames per second and fixed many technical issues.

According to Nintendo's release notes, various adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on the Switch 2, but there aren’t any specific details on which changes have been implemented. For instance, the update for two Zelda games mostly prepares them for their full-fledged Switch 2 edition, which is a paid upgrade that will cost $10. In Pikmin 3 Deluxe, an issue causing the entire screen to flicker intermittently has been partially resolved, meaning the bug won’t be fixed entirely until a future update. The following patches have been released:

• Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Version 1.4.0
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Version 1.8.0
• Pikmin 3 Deluxe – Version 1.1.2
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Version 1.0.2
• Kirby's Dream Buffet – Version 1.0.0a
• Kirby Star Allies – Version 4.0.0a
• Super Mario 3D All-Stars – Version 1.1.2
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Version 2.2.1

Including these eight titles, a total of 20 games will be updated for the Switch 2 on launch day. In addition to these free updates, Nintendo also offers paid upgrades for a range of games, which cost between $10 and $20. These include graphics and performance improvements as well as new content, such as an expanded campaign in Kirby and the Forgotten Land.