| People have been testing out the new Nintendo Switch 2 handheld boost mode for original Nintendo Switch games which makes Nintendo Switch games played in handheld behave as though they are docked. One of the games tested is the sublime Xenoblade Chronicles 2 which has removed the over sharpening effect in the game when played on Nintendo Switch 2 and also includes anti-aliasing making the characters look a lot smoother and more natural, You can check out a few images of the boost mode at work down below. | | | All eyes are on CD Projekt Red and when it's set to release the long-rumoured story DLC to the acclaimed The Witcher 3. A polish analyst has weighed in on the story and believes that the company will release The Witcher 3 DLC in September as he believes that would be the best time especially to avoid conflicting with the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. As always this is just an opinion and we don't know for certain when CD Projekt Red will release the long-awaited DLC. | | "I didn't include DLC for The Witcher 3 in the model, but like everyone else, I assume that CD Projekt will try to release the DLC before the new GTA release date to avoid this difficult period for other titles. So definitely before November, probably around Q3. I think September is the best window. In the summer, gamers are on vacation, and September seems like a nice "back to school" period. However, things could change. They might come up with the idea to release it in two or three months." | | "We can toss around potential dates, but the company likely takes into account many factors that influence the release window. They'll probably also have to ensure that the quality from Fools Theory is fully satisfactory, so I prefer to assume it will be a bit later." | | | Since the launch of the Nintendo Music app in October 2024, Nintendo has consistently been expanding the service (free for Nintendo Switch Online members) with more soundtracks from their extensive library of games. | | Today's update includes over an hour of music from the 1994 SNES classic, Super Metroid, with 28 total tracks added. The only curated playlists this time around are for Battles and Planet Zebes, alongside the usual Extended-Playback Collection, which allows you to listen to select tracks with a seamless loop. | | Nintendo Music is available now for iOS and Android devices from their respective app stores. | | | Nintendo has released a firmware update for Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Switch, bringing the family of systems to Version 22.0.0. While there's nothing too exciting for Switch 1 owners, apart from the added ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List, the latest Switch 2 update has quite the patch notes. There are a plethora of quality-of-life changes and additions, but most interestingly, a new option in the settings for "Handheld Mode Boost" that causes Switch 1 games to run as if they're in TV Mode while in Handheld Mode on Switch 2. Since the Switch 2 screen is 1080p compared to the 720p screen of the original Switch, this update should bring noticeable visual enhancements to many backwards compatible games, even ones that haven't received a dedicated Switch 2 update. Here's the full patch notes for Version 22.0.0. | - Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
- Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
- Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
- The following features were added to support GameChat:
- Added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms you're participating in. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts.
- Friends that haven't finished GameChat initial setup can now be invited to GameChat. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts or those who haven't used a Nintendo Switch 2.
- It may take a while for this change to be reflected after updating your console to system version 22.0.0.
- Improvements were made to the quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat when expanded.
- Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.
- Added the option to add the following data to "Automatic Uploads" from Album.
- Clip Video, Video saved as a screenshot, and screenshot with added text.
- Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to "GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text" languages in Accessibility.
- Text-to-Speech, under Accessibility, can now read the text in Album and during first-time setup.
- Added the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for the system memory and microSD Express card.
- Added the ability to perform an audio test when "Linear PCM 5.1 Surround" is selected for TV Sound in Audio.
- Changed the "Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea" region to "Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/South East Asia" in Device.
- Added "Handheld Mode Boost" to Nintendo Switch Software Handling in System.
- Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected. Please see the on-device description for more details.
- The following features were added to Airplane Mode:
- When Airplane Mode is activated, the previously set preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC while in Airplane Mode will be saved and applied.
- Added the ability to individually enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC during Airplane Mode from the Quick Settings.
- Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
- The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
- Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
- Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
- Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
- Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
- The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
| | To celebrate the fact that the acclaimed indie game Tunic is four years old today, the game's creator has stated on X that a Nintendo Switch 2 update is on the way. It is not clear when it will arrive, but it's currently in development. He says that the team is "working hard on it" and says for fans to "stay tuned." | | | Today, SEGA announced the upcoming lineup of free downloadable content coming to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds in the coming months as part of the wider Patch 3 Update! All players can look forward to racing as fan-favorite characters from throughout the SEGA universe including Angry Birds, Puyo Puyo and more.Fans can expect the Patch 3 Update to go live on Wednesday, March 18 at 5 PM PT. | | Please see below for more details on the upcoming free downloadable content: | - Release Date
- Content Included
- Red from Angry Birds as a playable character
- Super Roaster vehicle
| Goro Majima (Captain Majima) | - Release Window
- Content Included
- Goro Majima (Captain Majima) as a playable character
- Goromaru vehicle
- Release Window
- Content Included
- Arle from Puyo Puyo as a playable character
- Twinkle Bayoen vehicle
| Also racing into the game are eight new songs for players to enjoy on the jukebox as they dominate the track. Titles include: | - MAGICAL SOUND SHOWER – Hiro (From Outrun)
- Let's Go Away – Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (From Daytona USA)
- Soul on Desert – Jun Senoue (From SEGA Rally 2)
- Like The Wind (B Course) Arcade Version – Hiro (From Power Drift)
- Outside a Crisis – SEGA (Katsuhiro "Funky K.H" Hayashi) (From Super Hang-on)
- Main Theme (Enduro Racer) – Hiro (From Enduro Racer)
- God Only Knows – A-One
- Like the Wind (Reborn) – Sampling Masters MEGA (From Power Drift)
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