Do the higher frame rates and 4K resolutions make older titles look that much better? I played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and more to see how they fare on Nintendo’s latest console.
One of the best things about the Switch 2 is backward compatibility, which allows it to run Switch 1 games. Some titles will look exactly the same, while others will be enhanced to take advantage of the Switch 2’s increased power and capabilities. I got my hands on the Switch 2 at Nintendo’s launch event in New York and got a firsthand chance to see how much better Switch 1 games look and play on the new console. Breaking Down the Different Types of Switch 2 Games
The Switch 2 runs three types of games, which are separated into categories based on how they’re designed to be played on the system:Switch 2 Compatible
Switch 2-compatible games are digital or physical Switch 1 titles you can play on Switch 2, but they aren’t enhanced for the system. That’s all original Switch releases with a few presumable exceptions in terms of compatibility (like Nintendo Labo). They’ll probably run just as well as they did on the Switch, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll run better (you’ll probably enjoy 4K upscaling in docked mode, though).
That said, Nintendo announced that several games, including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and Super Mario Odyssey, will get free updates for the Switch 2. The updates « may » improve performance, but Nintendo wasn’t specific about it.Switch 2 Editions
Next up are Switch 2 Editions, which are enhanced Switch 1 titles that leverage the Switch 2’s power. This could be as simple as improved performance, like 4K resolution or higher-than-60fps frame rates, or as advanced as incorporating entirely new features with the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality or the Switch 2 Camera.
