Nintendo has officially deployed System Update 21.2.0 for the Nintendo Switch 2, delivering on its promise to revitalize the console's legacy library. As of this morning, January 20, 2026, owners of the next-gen hybrid console can download the firmware update, which unlocks 12 free 'Enhanced' upgrades for some of the biggest first-party titles from the original Switch era. Accompanied by a stunning new trailer showcasing side-by-side comparisons, this patch introduces native 4K output, High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, and unlocked frame rates for classics like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Update 21.2.0 Patch Notes: The 'Enhanced' Collection

The headline feature of update 21.2.0 is the introduction of the "Enhanced" badge in the system's library UI. Games carrying this badge now utilize the Switch 2's superior NVIDIA architecture to run native code optimizations rather than simple backward compatibility emulation. While Nintendo had previously teased performance boosts, today's drop confirms the full list of 12 titles receiving Day-One treatment for 2026.

According to the official changelog, the following titles have received mandatory free upgrades:

  • Super Mario Odyssey (4K 60fps, HDR, increased draw distance)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Dynamic 4K, locked 60fps)
  • Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (1440p upscaled to 4K, fixed 60fps)
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Native 4K 120fps support)
  • Splatoon 3 (4K 60fps, ray-traced reflections in lobby)
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons (4K 30fps, instant loading)
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (1440p 60fps, high-res texture pack)
  • Metroid Dread (4K 120fps)
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Reduced input latency, 4K support)
  • Luigi's Mansion 3 (Native 4K, improved dynamic lighting)
  • Kirby and the Forgotten Land (4K 60fps)
  • Fire Emblem Engage (4K rendering, fast loading)

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Finally Fixed?

Perhaps the most significant victory in this update is the transformation of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Since their launch in 2022, these titles were infamous for technical stumbles, including severe frame rate dips and texture pop-in. The Switch 2 update 21.2.0 patch notes confirm that Game Freak has utilized the raw power of the new hardware to brute-force these issues into oblivion.

Early technical analyses indicate that the Paldea region now renders at a crisp 1440p (upscaled to 4K via DLSS-like reconstruction) while maintaining a rock-solid 60 frames per second. The distinct "slow-motion" background animations for distant NPCs have been completely eliminated, and the new hardware allows for vastly increased draw distances, making the open world feel truly seamless for the first time.

Super Mario Odyssey in 4K HDR

For visual purists, the Super Mario Odyssey Switch 2 4K update is the standout. Nintendo's 2017 masterpiece has received a full texture overhaul. The metallic sheen of the Steam Gardens and the neon lights of New Donk City now utilize the Switch 2's HDR capabilities to produce blindingly bright highlights and deep, inky blacks on OLED models.

"We wanted to ensure that players revisiting these worlds felt the same sense of wonder they did nearly a decade ago," Nintendo stated in the press release accompanying the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Games trailer. "The power of the Switch 2 allows us to present these artistic visions without the constraints of the original hardware."

System Stability and Backward Compatibility

Beyond the game-specific patches, Update 21.2.0 improves general system stability and enhances the backward compatibility layer for non-patched titles. A new "Boost Mode" toggle in the system settings can now be applied to the entire back catalog. While not as optimized as the "Enhanced" patches, this feature forces legacy games to run at their maximum dynamic resolution and frame rate caps, cleaning up blurry visuals in titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Loading times have also been virtually erased. Tests show that warping in Tears of the Kingdom, which previously took 10-15 seconds, is now instantaneous, thanks to the Switch 2's high-speed internal NVMe SSD.

What's Next for Nintendo in 2026?

With Nintendo Switch 2 January 2026 updates now rolling out, fans are looking ahead to the rest of the year. Rumors suggest that a second wave of "Enhanced" titles, potentially including third-party hits like The Witcher 3 and Doom Eternal, could arrive by summer. For now, however, players have dozens of hours of revitalized gameplay to dive into, making the wait for the inevitable Mario Kart X announcement a little easier to bear.