Switch 2 Is Charging for Upgrades — But These Zelda Enhancements Might Be Worth It

Nintendo’s Switch 2 is going all-in on enhanced experiences for its classic games—but not everything comes free. Here’s what you’ll get, what it’ll cost, and what’s totally worth it.

“Switch 2 Edition” Means Enhanced Games… for a Price

Nintendo is officially leaning into a strategy that’s equally exciting and eyebrow-raising: paid upgrades for select original Switch games—now dubbed “Switch 2 Editions.” That’s right, even your beloved Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be getting a shiny new coat of paint on Switch 2… but unless you’re a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, you’ll have to cough up some extra rupees.

So, what are you paying for? These enhanced editions come with boosted frame rates, improved resolutions, HDR support, and in some cases, brand-new content and features. Think of it like a Director’s Cut for your favorite Nintendo games, except you get more Koroks, more Kirby, and even mouse controls in Metroid (yes, really).

What’s Getting the Upgrade Treatment?

Nintendo hasn’t dropped a full list of all the games getting Switch 2-specific upgrades yet, but the Direct announcement gave us some pretty heavy hitters. Here’s what’s confirmed so far:

First up, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are going next-gen with better frame rates, HDR visuals, and upgraded resolution. Both games will also feature something called Zelda Notes, an external companion system accessible via the Nintendo Switch App that points players toward shrines, Koroks, and all the shiny distractions you missed on your first go. The kicker? It can even read directions out loud so you don’t have to stare at the screen while sprinting across Hyrule. Oh, and yes—you can share your Tears of the Kingdom builds with others right from the app.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is getting a Switch 2 Edition with extra story content (because why let Mario have all the sequel energy?). This picks up after a meteor hits the Forgotten Land—because, of course, Kirby survives meteors—and comes packed with enhanced graphics and smoother performance.

Meanwhile, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is going above and beyond, literally—adding mouse controls alongside 4K and 60fps HDR gameplay in Quality Mode, or an optional 1080p at 120fps Performance Mode if you’re into speed over sparkle.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is also making the Switch 2 leap, promising the same resolution and frame rate upgrades and likely a few under-the-hood tweaks to satisfy fans who still haven’t forgiven Game Freak for the pop-in.

And then there’s Super Mario Party Jamboree. This one’s going full party mode with audio recognition, a more expressive rumble (read: joy-con jiggles), and camera-enabled features so you can actually see your friends’ reactions mid-game. Just don’t scream into the mic too hard—this isn’t Mario Kart Voice Chat, thankfully.

Wait, You Have to Pay for These?

Yep. While Switch 2 Editions will be available for full purchase both physically and digitally, players who already own the original games on Switch will need to buy an upgrade pack to unlock the fancy Switch 2 features. Nintendo hasn’t revealed exact pricing yet (cue dramatic suspense), but based on industry trends, expect something between $10 to $20.

Unless, of course, you have a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. For Zelda fans, this means the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom upgrades are 100% free with your membership. It’s like getting a fairy in a bottle—without having to do that annoying stealth mission to earn it.

Not Everything Costs Extra (Bless You, Nintendo)

In a rare and welcome twist, not all enhancements are locked behind a paywall. Nintendo has also announced that some original Switch games will receive free performance updates on Switch 2.

The company is playing coy with exact details, but these updates will reportedly improve performance and, in some cases, add support for GameShare and other new features. Confirmed titles include:

• Super Mario Odyssey
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
• Arms
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
• Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
• Game Builder Garage
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

While not every game will get a full Switch 2 makeover, this is at least Nintendo acknowledging that your original purchases still matter. Especially important for people who’ve invested years into Mario jumps and Link’s side quests.

Switch 2 Editions Are a Glimpse Into Nintendo’s Future

This move marks a significant shift in how Nintendo handles backward compatibility and game value across generations. While PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have been dabbling with free next-gen patches or cross-gen bundles, Nintendo’s combining both approaches with paid enhancements for the biggest titles and free performance updates for select others.

For players, this means your backlog could feel brand new again… if you’re willing to spend a little more.

So is it worth it? That depends. If you’re the kind of fan who spent 200+ hours building weird flying contraptions in Tears of the Kingdom, sharing creations, unlocking shrine tips, and seeing everything in HDR might sound like a dream. And for competitive Kirby fans—if those exist—new story content could be a game-changer.

The only wild card here is pricing. But considering Switch 2 already launches with extra storage, higher resolutions, and unique new hardware features, Nintendo seems confident that players will pay a little extra for a lot more polish.