The long-awaitedNintendo Switch 2Direct finally happened, and the hour-long presentation was packed to the brim with information. The new Joy-Con 2s were detailed in full, the hardware specs were officially revealed, the console’s price was announced, and a frankly surprising number of games were confirmed for theNintendo Switch 2’s launch window, including previously unannounced first-party and third-party titles.
TheNintendo Switch 2Direct also confirmed that a handful of Switch 1 titles will be receiving a ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition,’ which will be a paid upgrade. These upgraded editions will add higher resolutions, higher frame rates, faster load times, HDR support, and, in the case of games likeMetroid Prime 4: Beyond, it’ll add Switch 2-exclusive features like mouse functionality. The current list includesZelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom,Mario Party Jamboree,Kirby: The Forgotten Land,Pokemon Z-A, andMetroid Prime 4: Beyond. This is a solid list to start with, but it should just be the tip of the iceberg.
Games That Deserve a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
TheAnimal Crossingfranchise received absolutely no love during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, with no new game announced, no hint of an official Switch 2 Edition, and not even a place inNintendo Switch Online’s GameCube catalog. WhileAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsruns well on the original Switch, it could certainly benefit from a Switch 2 Edition’s faster load times.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonderappeared during theNintendo Switch 2 Directto showcase the system’s improved frame-rates, but the game itself isn’t actually receiving a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.Mario Bros. Wonderis one of the most visually stunning games on the original Switch, and its vibrant art style could benefit greatly from a Switch 2 Edition’s improved resolution, FPS, and most importantly, HDR support, which would allow its colorful aesthetic to really pop.
Metroid Dread
Nintendo Switch 2 users are already getting a dedicated version ofMetroid Prime 4: Beyondduring the console’s release window, but that shouldn’t meanMetroid Dreadis forgotten about.Metroid Dreadwas a showcase for the Switch OLED’s capabilities, and it deserves to benefit from the enhanced visuals and frame rates a Switch 2 Edition could provide.
Some Nintendo Switch 1 games are getting free updates that will “improve playability” on the Switch 2. Nintendo’s website states these updates “may improve performance or add support for features such as GameShare,” but the improvements will vary from game to game. The current list of games receiving a free update includesPokemon Scarlet & Violet,Super Mario Odyssey,Zelda: Link’s Awakening, andZelda:Echoes of Wisdom.
Splatoon 3
For a decade now,Splatoonhas been one ofNintendo’s most successful multiplayer-focused franchises, and its legacy deserves to continue on the Nintendo Switch 2. Higher frame rates make all the difference in a multiplayer game, andSplatoon 3could be granted them with a Switch 2 Edition upgrade.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Masahiro Sakuraimay not be working on a newSmash Bros.game after all, but Nintendo could keep the franchise alive and well by givingSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatea Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Much likeSplatoon 3,Smash Ultimatewould benefit greatly from improved frame rates, and an enhanced resolution would help to make the on-screen chaos look a little cleaner.
Super Mario Maker 2
From the moment theNintendo Switch 2’s mouse functionalitywas first rumored, fans have wanted a newSuper Mario Makergame to rear its head. Though a newMario Makerwasn’t announced during the Direct, Nintendo could still live up to this potential by releasing a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ofSuper Mario Maker 2, complete with mouse controls that allow players to more easily place blocks and create levels.
