Nintendo details free Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Switch 2 upgrades

Nintendo has provided a bit more information on what fans can expect from the free Switch 2 upgrades some first-party games will receive, including Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

The latest Pokémon games, which recently overtook Sword & Shield on the bestseller list, will be “optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.” Their frame rate will be “improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2.”

Screenshots from the Switch 2 version not only underline these cosmetic improvements, but show a seemingly increased maximum limit of wild Pokémon that can be on screen at a time. Currently, the game can only show up to 15 creatures at once. This improvement would be a fantastic one for Shiny hunters, making it easier than ever to spot some of the rare versions.

Among the other games receiving similar updates are Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legends of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

Japanese games magazine Denfaminico also posted some Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay from Switch 2 — it seems to be running pretty smoothly while maintaining robust visuals, speaking well of the system’s capabilities.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to be released on June 5, 2025, and fans might want to pick the console up early, as future price increases are still on the table due to the tariff situation. The preparations for launch are fully underway at Nintendo, with the latest Switch update adding a couple of Switch 2-specific features like Game Sharing.

In case you’ve already got your pre-order confirmed, you may want to look at all Nintendo Switch 2 launch games — playing around in the menu will only keep you so busy, after all.

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