Nintendo hints at more Switch 2 upgrades as they “see value in updating software”

Nintendo hints at more Switch 2 upgrades as they "see value in updating software"

By Sickr on February 5, 2026

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.