The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, and as previously reported, it boasts impressive backwards compatibility with Switch 1 games. However, Nintendo is not stopping there; they are introducing specially enhanced versions of Switch 1 games for the Switch 2, going beyond mere graphical upgrades and framerate improvements.

Nintendo has outlined three primary categories of games for the Switch 2: Native Switch 2 games, designed exclusively for the new system and incompatible with the original Switch; Compatible Switch 1 games, which you can play directly on the Switch 2 using their existing cartridges; and Switch 2 Edition games, which are enhanced versions of Switch 1 games featuring new features and performance upgrades.

This categorization does not include the classic games available through Nintendo Switch Online, which spans titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and now the GameCube.

So What Comes in a Switch 2 Edition Game?

Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct highlighted that the Switch 2 Edition of a Switch 1 game will offer more than just a visual and performance boost. For instance, Super Mario Party Jamboree's Switch 2 Edition introduces Jamboree TV, utilizing the Joy-Con 2's mouse controls, the Switch 2's microphone, and the separately sold Switch 2 USB-C camera.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a cross-gen title, will incorporate mouse controls with Joy-Con 2 and offer various display modes, including a Quality Mode (60fps at 4K docked, 60fps at 1080p handheld) and a Performance Mode (120fps at 1080p docked, 120fps at 720p handheld). All modes will support HDR.

Some games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will focus solely on performance and resolution enhancements for their Switch 2 Editions.

When are the Switch 2 Edition Games Coming?

The Switch 2 is slated for release on June 5, 2025, with the initial wave of Switch 2 Edition games launching around the same time. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be available on launch day, June 5, 2025.

Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV and Kirby and the Forgotten Land's update will follow on July 24, 2025, and August 28, 2025, respectively. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A are expected to release sometime in 2025, though specific dates have not yet been announced.

Pricing for Switch 2 Editions varies depending on ownership of the Switch 1 version. New buyers can purchase the Switch 2 Edition at retail, easily identifiable by the new red-colored game case and a prominent Switch 2 logo on digital versions.

If you already own the Switch 1 version and want the Switch 2 Edition upgrades, you'll need to buy an upgrade pack from Nintendo. These packs will be available at select retailers, the My Nintendo Store, and the Nintendo eShop, though pricing details have not been disclosed yet.

Certain upgrade packs, such as those for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, will be included with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, which also offers online features and access to a classic game library.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Nintendo Switch Editions

4 ImagesIn summary, the Switch 2 Editions promise to enhance your gaming experience with new features and improved performance. Nintendo's commitment to backward compatibility and enhanced game versions ensures a smooth transition to the new console, enriching its launch library with upgraded classics.

For more information on the Nintendo Switch 2, explore the latest news from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, including details on pricing and pre-order availability.