Switch 2 Game Comparison Shows Big Differences After Free Upgrades


The Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for less than a month, and as users explore the console, they’ve discovered that games like The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening show a striking difference after the upgrades made for the new system. The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5 after a long wait, delivering a system that looks familiar but packs much more powerful specs, capable of running newer games as well as older titles at better framerates and resolutions.

Fans had their first glimpse of the Switch 2 back in January 2025, when they saw what Nintendo was planning for its new system. The company played it safe with the Switch 2, introducing a console that’s basically a revamped version of its predecessor, with better technology and new convenient features to make the experience more comfortable—such as the new Joy-Cons, which now snap into place instead of sliding through rails. However, among all the highly awaited aspects of the Switch 2, the most important were arguably its games: brand-new exclusive releases like Donkey Kong: Bananza, powerful games that the Switch 1 couldn’t run like Cyberpunk 2077, and of course, Switch 1 titles that now function much better after receiving upgrades, like Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Gets New System Update for June 2025

Nintendo rolls out a new system update for the tremendously popular Switch 2 in June 2025, introducing some adjustments to the console.

While Nintendo brought several Switch 1 titles with paid upgrades like Tears of the Kingdom, the company also offered free upgrades for several other titles. In a YouTube video, Digital Foundry tested these free upgraded games to find out how significantly they’ve been enhanced after the update. The video highlights The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening as the biggest improvement, with the console now running it at 60 FPS and a resolution that jumped from 720p to 1620p in docked mode and from 600p to 1080p in handheld mode.

Digital Foundry also tried other free upgrades for Switch 2 games, such as Super Mario Odyssey, which now also features 60 FPS gameplay and a 4x resolution upgrade with an impressive native 1080p in handheld mode. Other games tested by DF include Splatoon 3, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and New Super Mario Bros. U, all of which also show good improvements.

While playing Switch 1 games on the new console is definitely an exciting thing for fans, Nintendo is gearing up to deploy a bunch of new games for the Switch 2 in July, including Donkey Kong: Bananza, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Shadow Labyrinth, among others. As players keep enjoying Nintendo’s new console, it’ll be interesting to see what future games the company will release for the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Tag Page Cover Art

Brand

Nintendo

Original Release Date

June 5, 2025

Original MSRP (USD)

$449.99

Operating System

Proprietary

Resolution

1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)

HDR Support

Yes



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