Nintendois releasing paid and free updates for certain original Switch games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Only a small list of confirmed games has been released, even though there are plenty of titles deserving of an upgrade on the Switch 2.
The list of Switch 2 Upgrade Packs includes titles likeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which will not only see huge technical upgrades, but will add new features. There are also games likeSuper Mario Odysseythat are getting free upgrades, but the details of the changes are currently unknown.
There are some Nintendo Switch games that are dying for free upgrades. This is due to the relatively weaker hardware of the system, as fans had to take a hit to the visuals and performance in order for the games to be portable.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s library in the first year is going to be pretty empty, so that’ll be the ideal time for Nintendo to boost its older games and give them a fresh coat of paint on the new hardware.
10Pokemon Sword & Shield
The Wild Area Needs Renovation
Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Pokemon fans of the world are excited for the Gen 9 games to get a patch. After all, they look like utter trash and the fact they ever got released in the state they did was a total embarrassment for the franchise.Although it didn’t impact sales, it still gave a bad impression.
Pokemon Sword & Shieldcould also use an upgrade patch, mostly for the Wild Area in Galar and the two DLC hubs, which were essentially self-contained Wild Areas. The towns and battles in the Gen 8 games were otherwise fine to look at.
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The problem with the Wild Area is that the textures look terrible (like the infamous tree) and the pop-in for wild Pokemon was dreadful, to say nothing of the frame rate when things got busy.
Fixing the Gen 9 games should be Game Freak’s priority, but once they’re up to speed, then the Galar region needs an upgrade on the Nintendo Switch 2.
9Bayonetta 3
The Giant Woman Steps On Frame Rates
Bayonetta 3
One issue withBayonetta 3was that it was originally planned as a more open world experience, which was shifted halfway through development. This explains why the levels are so massive for what they contain.
The problem with the huge stages and the fact that Bayonetta can summon a Kaiju at any time is that it can cause the performance to tank, especially during busier fights.
Bayonetta 3 has major frame rate issues, which are frustrating in a PlatinumGames action title, where timing is everything. The Switch 2 could finally address this issue, hopefully without fans needing to wait years for an update.
8Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Use The New Drivers
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2just about released before the end of the Nintendo Switch’s first year, and it looked really impressive for the time. The stages were massive, and it never felt like the hardware was restricting what was possible.
The only problem with Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was its inconsistent frame rate, with players often struggling to maintain a consistent, steady 30 fps while exploring the game world.
A paid Xenoblade Chronicles 2 upgrade could also throw in the DLC, as well as maybe add content from the later games, such as playable Blade versions of the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 cast, or maybe cameos from Xenoblade Chronicles X foes, considering the game received a Switch port.
7Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Time To Fill The Monastery
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
AsFire Emblem: Three Houseshas aturn-based combat systemrequiring minimal inputs, it should have been easy to make it look amazing on the Nintendo Switch.
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However, Garreg Mach Monastery, the main location in the game where players spend their time between battles, is a notoriously empty and lifeless place. There are students and soldiers milling around, but the building never really feels alive.
Not only could an upgrade for Fire Emblem: Three Houses upgrade the monastery, but it could also boost the frame rate, as it tends to dip during battle scenes, especially when a lot is happening or the player is using an attack with a fancy effect.
6Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Rollback Wombo Combos
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateruns remarkably well on the Nintendo Switch. It takes a lot to cause a slowdown, such as having lots of Ice Climbers on the Dream Fountain stage, but that only happens due to players being jerks.
One way Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can be improved is by addressing the online multiplayer issues. The game is notoriously rough when it comes to online play, especially if one player’s internet connection isn’t very reliable.
A Super Smash Bros. Ultimate upgrade that improved the online multiplayer would be an absolute godsend and one that established fans would absolutely pay more money for. Throw in some extra characters, and there wouldn’t even need to be a new Super Smash Bros. game this gen.
5Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
So Late That It Deserves A Patch
Xenoblade Chronicles X
This is the game on the list that’s most likely to get some kind of Nintendo Switch 2 update, considering it launched in 2025, and there’sevidence in the game’s filesthat some kind of performance boost option is on the way.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionwas already an upgraded version of a Wii U game, and was one of the better-looking titles on that system. The issue is that the Switch isn’t a massive leap from the Wii U, so there’s only so much that can be done with it.
Chances are, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is getting some 60fps or resolution boost mode shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 launches. Honestly, it’s surprising that an update hasn’t already been revealed.
4Luigi’s Mansion 3
Make Sure The Multiplayer Is Bundled In As Well
Luigi’s Mansion 3 Standard Edition
It might be surprising to learn thatLuigi’s Mansion 3is one of, if not the best-looking, games on the Nintendo Switch, especially considering that it launched in 2019.
Its cartoon world looks absolutely gorgeous, with a hotel full of rooms for the player to trash, throwing junk everywhere in the process.
The only issue with Luigi’s Mansion 3 is its 30 fps locked frame rate. It would greatly benefit from a 60fps mode, and possibly some more aesthetically pleasing lighting in the process.
A paid upgrade should also include all the excellent multiplayer DLC that Luigi’s Mansion 3 received throughout its run. These are some of the best party game experiences on the Nintendo Switch, and it would be a crime to see them forgotten.
3Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Make Hisui Pretty Again
Pokémon Legends Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceusis easily the best-looking mainline Pokémon game on the Nintendo Switch.This is helped by most of the stages being set on the Hisui frontier, where it’s mostly wilderness and wild Pokémon.
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The visuals in Pokémon Legends: Arceus could still use upgrades, especially the textures, as some of them are pretty rough. Not as bad as the Gen 9 games, but still not great.
The fact that Pokémon Legends: Z-A is getting a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 release sparks hope that Pokémon Legends: Arceus will get some kind of boost.
The fact that the game never received any proper DLC content could also be the excuse for a paid upgrade, maybe something that connects to the modern-day Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
2Super Mario Maker 2
An Actual Working Online Mode Would Be Nice
The single-player content inSuper Mario Maker 2has no issues at all. Even the busiest of stages is completely fine, with the Nintendo Switch able to handle lots of enemies on screen at once.
The problem with the game lies in its online modes, which are among the worst on the system. For some reason, the Nintendo Switch struggles to handle four people playing a Super Mario Bros. level, making it almost unplayable.
It’s unclear whether Nintendo intends to continue with the Super Mario Maker series in the future, but if it doesn’t, then a paid upgrade that adds another gameplay style or two might be the perfect way to cap off the franchise for the time being.
1Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
A Natural Choice After Breath Of The Wild
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Few games suffered from the Nintendo Switch’s hardware limitations more thanHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Omega Force did an admirable job of trying to put lots of enemies on the screen in the Breath of the Wild graphical style, but the performance suffered tremendously.
Nintendo revealed during the first Switch 2 Direct that there’s a third entry in the series on the way, withHyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmentbeing a direct prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Hopefully, the existence of a third game means that Nintendo will want the previous game brought up to snuff, as an upgrade for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is badly needed, especially if it can sort out the frame rate issues.
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