Many of you will have been enjoying seeing a number of original Nintendo Switch games updated with improved framerate and resolution when played on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo doesn’t look like it will be stopping this anytime soon. Speaking to investors, company president Shuntaro Furukawa, said that “we see value in updating software for the widely adopted Switch.” He says that by doing this it gets people to revisit older games and thinking about upgrading to the more powerful Nintendo Switch 2.
A major free update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released this past January. Splatoon 3 also received a substantial free update. What business considerations lie behind releasing such major free updates for existing Switch software after the Switch 2 launch?
Furukawa: In January, in addition to the free update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, we also released Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Since the update, many players have returned to the game, including those who had taken a break. We’re also seeing more players experiencing Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch 2 for the first time. We believe this marks a strong start to the year. To promote the adoption of a new platform, it is essential to release new titles regularly. Furthermore, as we proceed with the transition from Switch to Switch 2 over the coming years, we believe it is also extremely important to maintain our connection with customers who are experiencing Nintendo hardware. In that sense, we wanted to update major Switch hits like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Splatoon 3 at this time. This aims to get more people playing on Switch while also creating a flow where customers can transition to Switch 2 at their own pace when new titles they’re interested in launch. From this perspective, we see value in updating software for the widely adopted Switch. These updates help maintain active usage and encourage players to revisit their games.
I’d love a 1080p60 patch for Kirby Star Allies
I would love to do another Metroid Dread Run at 4k, maybe with some revised textures
The Kirby sidescrollers need to look better on the Switch 2 display. And no charge.
Honestly I love this. It’d be cool to see less big titles get updates as well, though. Like free updates & paid upgrades w/ physical releases and DLC is kinda the perfect transition, even if it’s only for a relatively little while
That is no value, that is a bad joke. Bachward compatibility should had been a thing in the first place without any excuse, but the regime at Nintendo failed so wonderful, you can’t imagine it.
Its improvements, the games run natively even without the upgrade packs. What the crap are you talking about?
I welcome the increase to FPS and resolution of Switch games.
Luigis Mansion 3 would be an infinitely better game at 60, it already has the visuals that stand up.
Pikmin begs to be played at a higher framerate.
There will always be those who argue the relevance of either can’t please everyone.
They should just be consistent with their pricing. In the UK I think £5 is reasonable. There are so many different prices and the contents of the editions vary so wildly.
Im not a Final Fantasy fan but I am a fan of their pricing models for the ff7 remake ports. Nintendo should take notice.
These sorts of upgrades were what I had hoped for when buying the Switch 2. I hope they continue through this year and into next year. It would be a shame for lots of first party titles to look worse on the new hardware.
Personally, I’ll take Bachward compatibility over Ludward compatibility any day, but I respect your tastes