Nintendo Switch 2 to Revitalize Pokemon Scarlet & Violet with Free Upgrades
Nintendo’s Switch 2, slated for release on June 5, is already generating buzz, especially for owners of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. The notoriously glitchy title is set to receive a free update, promising significant visual and performance enhancements. But what exactly can players expect?
Following Nintendo's confirmation of free Switch 2 updates for a select list of games, including Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, anticipation is building. The news is particularly welcome given the criticisms leveled at Scarlet & Violet upon their 2022 release, citing visual shortcomings and performance issues.
According to Nintendo, the updates will optimize visuals for the Switch 2's superior display and high-resolution TVs, accompanied by an improved frame rate. Italian site PokéNext has already shared direct comparison shots alongside the official Nintendo Switch 2 screens, giving players a sneak peek at the expected improvements.
The list of games receiving free Switch 2 updates extends beyond Pokémon, encompassing titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, Arms, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The nature of these updates will vary; some games will gain GameShare support, while others will see resolution boosts, frame rate improvements, and HDR support.
GameShare is a notable addition, allowing multiplayer sessions with only one game copy across multiple Switch consoles. GameChat, another new feature of the Switch 2, integrates Discord-like video and audio chat, enhancing the multiplayer experience. However, GameChat will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership after March 31, 2026.
While some titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Party Jamboree, will receive paid Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades, these free updates aim to breathe new life into older games. For titles like Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake, which faced performance limitations on the original Switch, these improvements are especially significant.
The improvements won’t be as expansive as the paid "Switch 2 Edition" upgrades some games are getting. However, Nintendo is promising that even these smaller adjustments should make revisiting older Switch titles worthwhile, particularly for games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Link's Awakening remake that ran into performance problems on the original Switch.
The gaming community eagerly awaits the Switch 2's launch and these promised upgrades. Will the Switch 2 truly redeem Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? Share your thoughts and expectations in the comments below!
