"Nintendo Switch 2 Enhances Original Games"

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

What Games are Playable on Switch 2?

Nintendo has categorized the games playable on the Switch 2 into three main types. First, there are native Switch 2 games, designed exclusively for the new console and not compatible with the original Switch. Second, there are compatible Switch 1 games, whose cartridges can be seamlessly used in the Switch 2, allowing for native play. Lastly, Switch 2 Edition games are enhanced versions of Switch 1 titles, featuring new features and performance upgrades tailored for the Switch 2. This classification does not include classic games available through the Nintendo Switch Online service, which encompasses a library spanning from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, to the GameCube.

What Comes in a Switch 2 Edition Game?

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealed that Nintendo aims to offer additional content for those playing Switch 2 Editions of Switch 1 games. For instance, Super Mario Party Jamboree, originally a Switch game, will come with a new feature called Jamboree TV in its Switch 2 Edition. This will utilize the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, the Switch 2 microphone, and the separately sold Switch 2 USB-C camera. Alongside these new features, the Switch 2 Edition promises upgraded resolution up to 1440p in TV mode, improved frame rates, new minigames, and enhanced online functions.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a cross-gen title, will support mouse controls with Joy-Con 2 and offer multiple display modes. These include a Quality Mode, running at 60fps in 4K when docked and 1080p at 60fps in handheld mode, and a Performance Mode, which runs at 120fps in 1080p when docked and 120fps in 720p in handheld mode. All modes will support HDR.

Other Switch 2 Edition titles will receive 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 gain additional support for the Zelda Notes service within the Nintendo Switch App, providing guides and game help. Some games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will only see performance and resolution enhancements as part of their Switch 2 Edition.

When are the Switch 2 Edition Games Coming?

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

How Much Will Switch 2 Editions Cost?

The cost of Switch 2 Editions varies depending on ownership of the Switch 1 version. New buyers can purchase the Switch 2 Edition at retail, easily identifiable by the new red-colored physical game case. Digital versions will feature a prominent Switch 2 logo for clarity. For those who already own the Switch 1 version and want the Switch 2 upgrades, an upgrade pack must be purchased from Nintendo. These packs will be available at select retailers, the official My Nintendo Store, and the Nintendo eShop, though the cost of these packs has not been disclosed yet.

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 grants access to online features and the classic game library.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Nintendo Switch Editions

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In summary, the Switch 2 Editions offer an exciting way to experience enhanced versions of beloved Switch 1 games. Nintendo's commitment to backward compatibility and these enriched editions make the transition to the Switch 2 smooth and appealing. For more details on the Nintendo Switch 2, explore the news from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, including pricing and pre-order information.