Nintendo now lists 19 entries on its U.S. page for original Switch software with free Nintendo Switch 2 enhancements.
The latest additions are Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Aug. 31 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Sept. 1.
Nintendo's official free-update page treats these patches separately from paid Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs.
Depending on the game, a free update can improve visuals or frame rate or add features such as HDR, GameShare and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Is The Newest Entry
Nintendo released Version 4.0.0 for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Sept. 1, 2026.
According to Nintendo's official update notes, the Switch 2 enhancements include clearer visuals on the system display and high-resolution TVs, shorter loading times before races and battles, and support for five to eight players in local multiplayer on one Switch 2.
Nintendo's own news post describes that as split-screen racing for up to eight people on a single system.
There is a controller limitation worth knowing.
Switch 2 can connect up to seven original Switch Joy-Con or Switch Pro Controllers. An eight-player session therefore needs at least one Joy-Con 2 or Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
The patch also adds CameraPlay.
A compatible USB camera is required, and CameraPlay works for two to four players locally or in online play. Nintendo says camera use online requires participation in a GameChat session.
The Full Free Switch 2 Update List
The dates and feature summaries below follow Nintendo of America's official free-update listing and support pages.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — Sept. 1, 2026
Improved image quality, faster loading, local multiplayer for up to eight people on one Switch 2, and CameraPlay support.
Pikmin 3 Deluxe — Aug. 31, 2026
Improved image quality and GameShare for two-player Bingo Battle, including online sharing through GameChat. Player.One has a separate report on the Pikmin 3 Deluxe update.
Pokémon Champions — April 8, 2026
Improved image quality on Switch 2.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD — Jan. 20, 2026
Improved image quality and local GameShare for two players, with one controlling Donkey Kong and the other Diddy Kong or Dixie Kong.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Jan. 15, 2026
Improved image quality. This free patch is separate from the paid Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade available for the game.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 — Oct. 2, 2025
Improved image quality and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.
Splatoon 3 — June 12, 2025
Improved image quality and smoother movement in the plaza and Grand Festival Grounds.
ARMS — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality, smoother frame rate including matches with three or more players, and HDR support.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain — June 5, 2025
GameShare for up to four people in Party Mode, locally or online through GameChat.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality, HDR and two-player GameShare across all courses.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics — June 5, 2025
GameShare for up to four people across 34 games.
Game Builder Garage — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality.
Pokémon Scarlet — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality and smoother frame rate on Switch 2.
Pokémon Violet — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality and smoother frame rate on Switch 2.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality; smoother frame rate, including in Bowser's Fury; HDR in Bowser's Fury; GameShare for up to four players in Super Mario 3D World and two in Bowser's Fury.
Super Mario Odyssey — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality, HDR and two-player GameShare with one player controlling Mario and the other Cappy.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality and HDR.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening — June 5, 2025
Improved image quality and HDR.
Why Nintendo's Count Can Be Confusing
Nintendo's U.S. page currently has 19 separate entries, but "19 games" can be misleading.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury each bundle two named games or experiences, while Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are separate entries.
This tracker therefore counts Nintendo's listings, not individual games inside bundles.
Free Updates Are Not Nintendo Switch 2 Editions
A free enhancement patch does not automatically turn a Switch game into a "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition."
Nintendo sells separate upgrade packs for selected titles, sometimes with different technical improvements or added features.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, for example, has both a free Switch 2 enhancement for the original game and a separate paid Switch 2 Edition upgrade.
For this tracker, if Nintendo of America lists a title on its official Free updates for select Nintendo Switch games page, it belongs here.
New entries will be added to this URL as Nintendo updates the list.
