The Premium Upgrade – The Potential of Switch 2 Editions

Nintendo revealed at their big Switch 2 Direct, ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’ games for iconic games like Breath of the Wild. Adding performance boosts and full-on expansions to the base experience enhances Nintendo Switch 1 games. After going hands-on with some of these updated releases and seeing GVG’s video covering the topic, I started thinking of potential Switch 2 Editions.

Breaking the Chain – Astral Chain

Described as a ‘playable anime’, this creative action/adventure game from Platinum Games and Nintendo was one of the early titles for the handheld/console hybrid. It impressed with an exciting two-character combat system and some of the best visuals on the Nintendo Switch.

Achieving that impressive presentation came at a cost, as Astral Chain utilized a 30 FPS cap to achieve its two-character combat system. No doubt, with the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, Platinum could give a hidden gem performance on the level of their other action titles.

The Other Side – New Campaign

Similar to Kirby & The Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition, Platinum could use this re-release of Astral Chain to include new content. Imagine new Legion (the chained partner that works with your character) types that leverage the additional horsepower of Switch 2. In addition to new combat challenges and maybe even new story content.

Edge of Dawn – Fire Emblem: Three Houses

As one of my favorite Nintendo Switch games, I would be thrilled to venture through Fodlan again in a Fire Emblem: Three Houses Switch 2 Edition.

That being said, it wasn’t without issue. One of my favorite routes, the Black Eagles, had the shortest route. Updating that for a Switch 2 Edition with an additional chapter or two would help the game’s pacing.

The Three Hopes – Visual/Performance Improvements

Suffering from poor image and model quality, alongside major frame rate drops as specific effects were on screen, giving the game a performance boost would be a huge improvement.

Koei-Tecmo could even port over the updated models and animation work they made for the cast in Three Hopes, making the adventure more pleasing on the eye.

Heroic Clashes – Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3

One of the biggest surprise releases on Nintendo Switch was Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. Featuring a treasure trove of iconic Marvel characters across the Avengers, X-Men, and more, it was a worthy follow-up to the prior Ultimate Alliance games from the late 2000s.

Having performance drops and poor image quality, the game didn’t feel optimized for the original Switch. With a Switch 2 Edition, the game could drastically improve image quality and even support 60FPS.

The Marvel Team-Up! – Nintendo Online & Camera Support

One key feature of the Nintendo Switch 2 is the Nintendo Camera. Channeling the energy from Xbox’s Kinect or PlayStation’s EyeToy, the camera is built for multiplayer fun with friends and family. Mario Party Jamboree‘s Switch 2 Edition uses the camera well. Meaning it could have a similar effect for a game like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3.

I envision players teaming up and having their faces over the character portraits, with everyone’s live reactions to the adventure on screen. This feature would enhance the game’s innate co-op features.

Here Comes a New Challenger! – New Heroes/Villains

One major addition exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition could be new playable characters that weren’t in the original Switch release. The original game received extensive DLC, adding heroes like Blade and the Fantastic Four; more Marvel legends could be added to the roster.

Some personal picks would be Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (using their look from the most recent TV series), various bosses from the original game (like Green Goblin), and allies from the main campaign (like Winter Soldier and Ant-Man).

Let’s Go, Captain! – Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

This might be a surprise suggestion, considering the state of the base game and Nintendo listing this as a free update for Switch 2. Especially as someone who enjoyed the Pokémon Horizons anime series, which already takes heavy inspiration from Pokémon Scarlet, that series could help expand Scarlet & Violet.

By letting your player trainer interact with the Flying Volt Tacklers, some fun side-quests and special Pokémon battles could unfold.

Game Freak can leverage an airship-type mechanic using the Brave Olvine, utilizing the Switch 2’s power and performance boosts.

A Shock to the System – Performance/Visual Improvements

Out of any Nintendo-published title on the Switch 1, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet begs for visual and performance improvements. A paid update would push Game Freak to use the upgrades they are implementing into Pokémon Legends Z-A Switch 2 Edition into their Scarlet & Violet, ensuring a modest resolution increase and a stable 60FPS.

Going beyond performance/resolution boosts and enhancing the game’s core assets, giving a deep overhaul to the game’s many bugs and glitches would be fantastic.

As someone who loves Pokémon but hates the lack of quality recent titles have offered, giving Scarlet & Violet the love they deserve would be a huge win for Nintendo Switch 2.

A GameCube Classic – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

The beloved GameCube RPG Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was brought to the Nintendo Switch. The Switch release supported higher resolutions and updated visual upgrades, upgrading a timeless classic and making it look even better.

Sadly, there was a trade-off for the visual upgrade, being a 30 FPS target. The updated release altered button timing to accommodate the 30 FPS, but Thousand Year-Door objectively runs worse. The game on Nintendo Switch 2 could receive a free upgrade to unlock the frame rate to 60 FPS, restoring the original’s 60 FPS target.

The Legend of Luigi – New Campaign

Throughout Mario’s adventure, he sees his brother Luigi and learns he is also going on his quest. After each chapter, you see Mr. L with a different party member, and he recounts his amazing tales to Mario and his allies.

In addition, you can read a journal that goes into greater detail about Luigi’s exploits. Instead of listening and reading about them, why not experience them?

It could also give Intelligent Systems an excuse to revisit the Classic Paper Mario combat style for a new experience. Specifically, further testing the waters for a potential new installment in the series using the classic combat system. No doubt, many missed it as the series experimented during the Wii, 3DS, and Wii U eras.

My Most Wanted Switch 2 Editions – Sonic Series

Considering SEGA is giving Sonic X Shadow Generations a Switch 2 version, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll do the same for other Sonic releases on Nintendo Switch 2. Unlike Sonic X Shadow Generations, which forces players to purchase the game again, offering $10 upgrades with visual upgrades and new modes/features could be awesome.

Sonic Frontiers

Let’s start with Sonic Frontiers, the game in most dire need of a Switch 2 Edition. While the base experience was enjoyable on PC and other consoles, the Nintendo Switch version was subpar. In fact, it is one of the worst playing Sonic experiences on the platform. Running the game at a low resolution, unstable frame rate, and visual features heavily downgraded from the PS4 release.

Giving Frontiers a performance boost, allowing it to run at 60 FPS and receive a sharp resolution upgrade, would immensely help. In addition, it would be wonderful if the game offered Shadow as a playable character, or allow players to use the Final Horizon characters on the other Islands.

Sonic Superstars

While the original release on Switch was solid, as it ran at 60 FPS. Moreover, it supported native resolution in portable mode; a minor visual upgrade would be nice. Further, adding other Classic Era characters to the roster would breathe new life into the game.

SEGA did this with the 2017 hit Sonic Mania, adding Mighty and Ray to the game via Sonic Mania Plus. Sonic Origins collection also offered an upgrade pack, adding Amy Rose to the playable character roster a year later.

Sonic Colors Ultimate

As one of the most iconic Sonic releases in the series, Sonic Colors Ultimate on Switch 1 was an embarrassing stain on the series. Visual glitches across the board, seizure-inducing effects, and the frame rate locked at 30 FPS despite the stronger hardware. It’s a release that should’ve been far better.

Unlike the other suggested upgrades, this one should be free. Colors Ultimate could be a great release on Switch with a few tweaks. More specifically, if it upgraded the frame rate to 60 FPS, and offered resolution options.

If SEGA wants to go the extra mile, maybe consider reaching out to the Sonic Modding Community. More specifically, there is an amazing mod called ‘Project Re-Rainbow’. This mod upgrades the visuals while retaining the visual identity of the Wii original.

Applying that mod to the base experience on modern platforms would be a huge win for the Sonic community. yet this would require SEGA and Sonic Team to dive deeper into that level of support.

Closing Thoughts on Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrades

The idea of paid upgrades sounds awful, and I would be the first to shout out against it. Considering the number of Switch titles that struggle to run on the platform, these are needed compared to the upgrades and releases on PlayStation and Xbox.

Giving iconic Switch titles a new lease of life, running similarly to other modern releases, would be a major win for Switch 2. As it offers owners of that upcoming platform things to play while waiting for the next big release.

It would fill the void, similar to how many Wii U ports were brought to Switch 1. In 2025, we received Xenoblade Chronicles X, and rumors suggest Yoshi’s Wooly World will be coming to the platform this year.

All that being said, what Switch 2 Editions are you all hoping for? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for additional Switch 2 coverage at Lords of Gaming!