Switch 2 Update Introduces Enhanced Mode for Original Switch Titles

Nintendo has rolled out a fresh system update for the Switch 2, introducing a highly anticipated feature: Handheld Boost Mode. This new mode enables the Switch 2 to run original Switch games in handheld mode with performance and resolution comparable to when docked, effectively enhancing the gaming experience.

Typically, many Switch titles operate at 720p on the handheld screen, bumping up to 1080p when docked. With Handheld Boost Mode, the Switch 2 leverages its additional power and built-in 1080p display to consistently deliver 1080p visuals for Switch games.

In Handheld Boost Mode, the Switch 2 recognizes the attached Joy-Con 2 controllers as if they were a Pro Controller, and the touch screen may be disabled since the game is running in TV mode. This can lead to some on-screen instructions being inaccurate. Consequently, certain games that rely on motion and touch controls may not be compatible. While Nintendo hasn’t released an official list, reports suggest that titles like Super Mario Maker 2, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD are among those that cannot utilize Handheld Boost Mode. Additionally, the mode’s impact may vary depending on how specific games manage TV mode.

To activate Handheld Boost Mode, you’ll need to navigate to the settings menu under “System” and “Nintendo Switch Software Handling,” as it isn’t enabled by default. Keep in mind that this mode may lead to increased power consumption during gameplay.

In other updates, Nintendo has added a feature to save notes about friends on your friends list, improved GameChat functionality for easier friend invitations, updated the loading text and animation for virtual game cards, introduced accessibility enhancements including Russian and Portuguese support for GameChat’s speech-to-text feature, and provided detailed breakdowns of storage capacity by data type.

Here are the full patch notes: