When Nintendo revealed the Switch 2, many were excited to learn that their Switch 1 libraries would carry over. Like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, older generation titles playable on new hardware receive substantial improvements.
Stabilizing inconsistent frame rates, improving image quality, and even doubling frame rates outright are some of the free benefits Switch 1 games receive on the Nintendo Switch 2. Here are our findings after playing multiple games on Switch 2.
Nintendo First-Party
Let’s begin with Nintendo’s offerings. From releasing free updates to games naturally benefiting from the stronger hardware, major first-party releases feel better than ever on Nintendo Switch 2.
Free Upgrades
The first noteworthy game has to be Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. This free update essentially transforms the game, giving it an immense boost in overall image quality, increasing the draw distance for Pokémon across the open world, and even doubling the frame rate to 60 FPS in both Docked and Portable Modes.
But the one I spent the most time with was The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The original release on Switch suffered from poor image quality and couldn’t maintain a 60FPS target in either mode. With this Switch 2 update, the game plays perfectly on the console. Running at max resolution in portable mode, having boosted load times, and running at a locked 60FPS, the legendary Game Boy remake has new life on Switch 2.
The last major Switch 1 titles I tested were Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Both games receive a substantial boost in their resolution targets across both modes, and in the case of Bowser’s Fury, the game runs at 60 FPS regardless of the mode.
Passive Upgrades
While these titles did not receive major patches to boost performance, they received upgrades regardless via the backward compatibility layer.
The biggest winners from this were the Hyrule Warriors titles. Age of Calamity runs at a locked 30FPS in both modes, with the docked experience having noticeably sharper image quality. Meanwhile, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition runs identically across both Docked and Portable modes, having a 1080p resolution at a locked 60FPS.
Another major winner is the Bayonetta titles, with both Bayonetta 2 & 3 now running at a locked 60FPS across both modes. Other Nintendo games receive modest boosts. For games like Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Princess Peach: Showtime! running at a locked 30FPS with faster load times.
One pleasant surprise is the Platinum Games classic Astral Chain. The game now runs at a locked 30FPS with a stable 720p (Portable) and 1080p (Docked) resolution. It originally used a heavy dynamic resolution to retain its 30FPS target, so the game benefits from the Switch 2’s stronger hardware. Lord Cognito did extensive testing for this title, testing demanding areas on Switch 1 and noticing the frame rate staying locked at 30 FPS.
Don Otaku’s Findings – Xenoblade Chronicles Series, Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE, Mario & Luigi: Brothership
A major franchise Don Otaku tested on his Switch 2 was the Xenoblade series. Starting with Xenoblade Chronicles 3, there weren’t any major differences between Switch 1 and Switch 2 save for a more stable 30 FPS target. However, Xenoblade Chronicles X now hits its max resolution target, looking sharp on Nintendo Switch 2 at a stable 30 FPS.
In addition, Don also tested out the Persona and Fire Emblem crossover JRPG Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE, which runs similarly to the original Switch release but now loads faster.
Lastly, he tested out Mario & Luigi: Brothership. The game originally didn’t always hit its 30FPS target on Switch 1, but now has a stable 30FPS on Switch 2. In addition, it benefits from faster load times.
Lord Digital’s Findings – Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Bayonetta Series
Two major series Lord Digital tackled during his Switch 2 testing were Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and the Bayonetta games.
With Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the game still suffers from its low resolution targets in both modes, but now manages to retain a locked 30FPS. And for the Bayonetta games, specifically the first two, run very well on Switch 2. Both games maintain a locked 60FPS, though they still have the original releases’ lower resolution targets.
The Indies
Considering the Nintendo Switch is known for being a great home for Indies, I tried a few major ones on Switch 2.
The first major test was Oddworld: Strangers Wrath HD, as the original release had frame rate drops when utilizing the better image quality offered from its optional MSSA mode. With that turned on, the game looks sharp on the Switch 2 display at a locked 60FPS.
A game that benefits immensely from the better hardware is the Jet Set Radio-inspired Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. The game offers an uncapped frame rate option, with it mostly hitting it on the original Nintendo Switch. But with the Switch 2, the game is locked at a smooth 60FPS.
The final games I tried were the charming Little Kitty, Big City, the recently released Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, and Beserker Boy. All three games receive slight benefits on Switch 2, mainly faster load times and a more stable resolution.
The Third Party Switch 1 Games on Nintendo Switch 2
While Nintendo’s third-party partners showed out for the Switch 2 launch, that doesn’t mean their past work on Switch 1 isn’t improved on the new console.
Specifically, SEGA’s output received a nice boost from the stronger hardware. Sonic Frontiers runs at a higher resolution in portable and docked modes while hitting its 30FPS almost consistently. In addition, Sonic Superstars also retains its native 720P resolution target, has faster load times, and runs at a locked 60FPS.
A nice surprise was seeing Id’s iconic Doom 2016 running better on Switch 2 over the original Switch. The game originally dealt with major resolution drops to maintain its 30FPS target, but thanks to the stronger hardware, it runs at a native 720P and locked 30FPS. Combined with the Switch version’s gyro aiming, ripping and tearing have never felt better on the go.
Lastly, two smaller third-party games I tried out were Ori & The Will of the Wisps and TMNT: Splintered Fate. Both games now run at their max resolution and frame rate targets. While Ori hit its frame target well on the original Switch, TMNT did not. Both games also load significantly faster, making their pick-up and play nature all the more inviting.
Lord Cognito’s Findings – MLB The Show 25
A major game Lord Cognito set out to test was Sony’s MLB The Show 25. Here are his full thoughts on his experience with the game:
The most impressive game on Switch 2 is MLB The Show 25. It’s one of the most cinematic broadcast style experiences. Anytime Switch 1 entered cinematics, you felt it struggling. And when the screen scales when hitting home runs, it struggles badly. It’s almost a slide show. When throwing this on Switch 2, loading and performance felt silky smooth. No texture updates, but from a pure gameplay, smoothness experience, it’s fantastic on the console.
Lord Don Otaku’s Findings
Don’s major third-party titles were Ubisoft’s biggest offerings on Switch 1, with those being Starlink and the Mario + Rabbids series. While Starlink receives a modest boost on Switch 2 with better load times, the Mario + Rabbids games get a much more noticeable upgrade.
Kingdom Battle runs at a locked 60FPS across both modes while hitting its max resolution target. Meanwhile, the more demanding Sparks of Hope retains a locked 30FPS while hitting its max resolution target. Those performance boosts with faster load times make them must-plays on Nintendo’s latest hardware.
The last third-party games he played were Dragon Quest XI S and Rune Factory 5. Both receive faster loading times and retain a stable 30FPS, with Rune Factory 5 specifically hitting its max resolution target.
Lord Digital’s Findings
The two major releases Digital tackled were Ninja Gaiden Master Collection and No More Heroes 3.
The original release on Switch 1 of Ninja Gaiden Master Collection struggled to hit its resolution and frame rate targets for the three ninja action titles. Using Switch 2’s stronger hardware, all three games in the collection run at their maximum resolution and frame rate targets, which is a huge boon for Ninja Gaiden 3 since it suffered the most from those issues.
Regarding No More Heroes 3, it hits two performance targets (30 FPS in overworld exploration, 60 FPS in combat) on Switch 2. This contrasts with the original Switch 1 release, which struggled to retain its performance targets.
Closing Thoughts on Nintendo Switch 2 BC
While these are a mere sample of the improvements for Switch 1 games on Nintendo’s latest platform, more games we didn’t test show improvements across the board. It’s fantastic to see older games play and look better, passively or through free patches, on Nintendo Switch 2.
Hopefully, our findings help! If you have any games you want us to try out, let us know in the comments below. Stay tuned for additional Switch 2 coverage here at Lords of Gaming!
