Nintendo suggests Switch 2 will feature enhanced versions of certain Switch 1 games: here’s what we know
A message on Nintendo’s official website hints at a new line of remastered Switch 1 games for Switch 2.
As of now, not even 48 hours remain until the highly anticipated Nintendo Direct reveals the Nintendo Switch 2 in full, Nintendo’s next-generation console, following the hybrid Switch released in 2017. However, with the excitement building, plenty of questions about this new device still linger. Key details have already emerged, such as its launch alongside a new Mario Kart game and its backwards compatibility with Switch 1 titles. But, intriguingly, the official website for the console suggests a potential new line of remastered games for Switch 2.
Remasters and enhanced versions of Switch 1 games on Switch 2? The official website raises questions with the term “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition”
Last week, Nintendo introduced Virtual Game Cards for the Nintendo Switch eShop ecosystem. This upcoming feature, set to launch in April, will allow games purchased from the digital store to be converted into tokens that players can lend to friends and family, enabling them to enjoy these titles without additional purchases. However, the fine print in a blog post from Nintendo of America may hint at a key aspect of the Switch 2’s game library. The post specifies, “Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games can only be loaded on a Nintendo Switch 2 system.”
This intentional distinction between games exclusive to Switch 2 (titles playable only on the new platform, incompatible with the original 2017 Switch) and the “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” line strongly suggests the new console will feature remastered versions of select standout Switch 1 titles. While original Switch games will reportedly work smoothly on the Switch 2, it seems likely that certain noteworthy titles will also see upgraded, exclusive releases optimized for the new hardware.
This practice is common in the gaming industry, as seen in past Nintendo re-releases such as The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD (2013) on Wii U, originally released on GameCube in 2002, or Pikmin 1+2 (2023) on Switch, originally launched on GameCube in 2001 and 2004. While these might be closer to high-definition ports than full remasters, they highlight Nintendo’s willingness to relaunch key titles from its catalog.
Enhanced titles leveraging new hardware
These remastered versions could take advantage of the Switch 2’s more advanced hardware to deliver smoother gameplay experiences. Expected improvements might include higher, more stable frame rates, enhanced character models, increased draw distances, and even higher resolution. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) and Super Mario Odyssey (2017) could be prime candidates for these enhanced releases.
For now, this remains unconfirmed and leaves room for speculation. The only tangible evidence comes from the differentiation between Switch 2-exclusive games and the “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” line mentioned in the blog about virtual game cards. While backwards compatibility seems set to ensure players can enjoy Switch 1 games on Switch 2, it appears likely that remastered and upgraded versions will also play a role. All will be revealed at the upcoming Nintendo Direct, set for Wednesday, April 2, at 6:00 AM PT (9:00 AM ET).
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