Some of the games getting these updates are The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (version 1.4.0), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (version 1.8.0), Pikmin 3 Deluxe (version 1.1.2), Super Mario Bros. Wonder (version 1.0.2), Kirby’s Dream Buffet (version 1.0.0a), Kirby Star Allies (version 4.0.0a), Super Mario 3D All-Stars (version 1.1.2), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (version 2.2.1), Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain (version 1.2.0), and ARMS (version 5.51), among others.

All of these updates revolve around giving these games improved performance for the new console over how they ran on the original Switch. Along with performance boosts, quite a few games are also getting access to new features, including GameShare and even support for HDR displays.

The Switch 2 will be hitting store shelves on June 5.

Patch notes for Nintendo Switch games to run on Switch 2:

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Version 1.4.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Added support for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
• Added support for the Portuguese (Brazil) system language setting.
• Because Portuguese is not a supported voice language, the voice content will use the language you select in the in-game options.
• Added support for the Sidon, Tulin, Yunobo, and Riju amiibo.
• Several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch:

General

• Added support for the Portuguese (Brazil) system language setting.
• Because Portuguese is not a supported voice language, the voice content will use the language you select in the in-game options.
• Added support for the Sidon, Tulin, Yunobo, and Riju amiibo.
• Several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Version 1.8.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Added support for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
• Added support for the Portuguese (Brazil) system language setting.
• Because Portuguese is not a supported voice language, if you select the Match System Settings option in the game, the voice content will use English.
• Several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch:

General

• Added support for the Portuguese (Brazil) system language setting.
• Because Portuguese is not a supported voice language, if you select the Match System Settings option in the game, the voice content will use English.
• Several other issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe – Version 1.1.2

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Partially alleviated an issue that occurs when playing on Nintendo Switch 2 where the entire screen flickers during some scenes in the game, such as when a day starts and ends.
• We will be releasing an update in the near feature to fix this completely.
• Note: An update addressing the problem above has not been distributed for “Pikmin 3 Deluxe Demo ver.” However, we plan to perform the same fix as the full game in a future update.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Version 1.0.2

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.

Kirby’s Dream Buffet – Version 1.0.0a

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.
• Note: The version number in the lower right of the software title screen is still Ver. 1.0.0. The version number displayed in the software menu on the HOME Screen will display 1.0.0a if the update is applied.

Kirby Star Allies – Version 4.0.0a

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.
• Note: The version number in the lower right of the software title screen is still Ver. 4.0.0. The version number displayed in the software menu on the HOME Screen will display 4.0.0a if the update is applied.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars – Version 1.1.2

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.
• Note: The software update is required to play on Nintendo Switch 2.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – Version 2.2.1

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Several adjustments have been made to improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2.

ARMS – Version 5.51

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• Frame rate: Optimized for Nintendo Switch 2 for smoother movement (even when playing with 3 or more players). Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
• *Compatible with Ver. 5.4.1 for “local communication” and “LAN play”. Not compatible with Ver. 5.4.0 or earlier for “local communication” and “LAN play”. Please be aware of the versions of each other’s update data.

Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain – Version 1.2.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Added support for GameShare.
• Party Mode content can be played with up to 4 users.
• The user who will host the GameShare session should select “GameShare” on the mode selection screen after launching the software. They can then choose to use GameShare with Local Users or with GameChat members.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker – Version 1.4.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
• Added support for GameShare.
• Two people can play all the courses, and each person can have their own unique display that is easier to see.
• The person sharing can press the – button on the title screen or course select screen or go to “Partner Adventure” in the pause menu and select “GameShare + Local Play” or “GameShare + GameChat.”

Club House Games: 51 Worldwide Classics – Version 2.0.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Added Korean as a supported language.
• Added support for GameShare:
• You can play 34 kinds of games with up to 4 players.
• The user who will host the GameShare session should select “GameShare” from the main menu, then “Via GameChat” or “Play With Local Users”.
  The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch:

General

• Added Korean as a supported language.
• Several other adjustments and revisions have been made to improve the gameplay experience.
• Note: Update data with the above content will also be distributed for the demo “Clubhouse Games: Guest Pass” as Ver. 2.0.0d.

Game Builder Garage – Version 1.1.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• Added support for Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Up to 8 Joy-Con 2 can be used. (As up to now, 1 USB mouse can be used, as well.)
• As a result of improved processing speed, there may be some changes in behavior in games that were made previously on Nintendo Switch.
• Note: An update is also available for the Game Builder Garage Demo version to support the content above (Ver. 1.1.0).

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – Version 1.2.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury – Version 1.2.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• Frame rate: Optimized for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2 (including Bowser’s Fury).
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness (Bowser’s Fury only). Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
• Added support for GameShare.
• You can play “Super Mario 3D World” with up to four people. Press R on the course select screen for “Local/Online,” and then choose “GameShare + Local Users” or “GameShare + GameChat.”
• In “Bowser’s Fury,” two players can play, with one controlling Mario while the other controls Bowser Jr. Once you can control Mario, press the + button to open “Menu,” and then choose “Local/Online,” and then choose “GameShare + Local Users” or “GameShare + GameChat.”
• Note: Does have local user compatibility with Ver. 1.1.0. Does not have local user compatibility with Ver. 1.0.0. Please be careful of the update version on each player’s system.

Super Mario Odyssey – Version 1.4.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
• Added support for GameShare.
• Two players can play, with one controlling Mario while the other controls Cappy.
• The user who will host the GameShare session should select “Resume 2P” on the title screen or “Two Players” on the Pause menu, then select “GameShare + Local Play” or “GameShare + GameChat”.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Version 1.1.0

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.

Nintendo has revealed that Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe will all receive such free Switch 2 enhancements. Super Mario Odyssey will add HDR support on the next-gen console, in addition to visual optimizations and improved picture quality, as well as GameShare support. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury will offer the same enhancements, though Bowser’s Fury will be the only one to add HDR support. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, meanwhile, promises improved picture quality on the Switch 2.

Additionally, Nintendo confirms that similar free Switch 2 upgrades will also be released for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, ARMS, Game Garage Builder, Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, and Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain. 

Free Switch 2 enhancements are also headed on the console’s launch day for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, as well as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Link’s Awakening.

The list is as follows:

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

The updates in question “may” improve performance or implement GameShare, but as Nintendo notes, the content varies from game to game. So if the fidelity of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet isn’t up to snuff, try not to be too disappointed.

Of course, it’s possible that Nintendo could release updates for additional titles in the future. Time will tell, so stay tuned.

The Nintendo Switch 2 arrives on June 5th for $449.99. Launch titles include Mario Kart World (which costs an eye-watering $79.99 digitally), Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, and much more.

Super Mario Party

The infamous ruiner of friendships debuts for the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario Party takes the more traditional approach to the series’ formula, introducing new mini-games, some with motion controls, and a new mode called Partner Party where teams of two can work together. There’s even a mode called Toad’s Rec Room where multiple Switches can be combined for gameplay across multiple screens. Super Mario Party captures the amazing feeling of losing to never-ending nonsense, which may or may not be your definition of a good time.

All aboard? Alright then. Choo-choo.

NOTE: There will be spoilers ahead.

SPIDER-MAN

Spider-Man, of course, is closely associated with trains in media thanks to the wallcrawler’s exploits in the movies, and Insomniac’s 2018 title paid full homage to that. Spidey’s fight against Mister Negative in a train barrelling through New York subway was brief, but it was tense and exciting. Of course, it also gets points for recreating bits of the train sequence from Spider-Man 2 in its own humourous way.

Nintendo is showing the Switch version of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker some love. Speaking during their Nintendo Direct broadcast yesterday, the company revealed that it will be bringing out paid DLC for the game next month, which will bring 18 new challenges to the game, including five new courses.

The expansion is called Special Episode, and can be pre-ordered on the eShop right now. But even if you don’t want to pay for the game, Nintendo is sweetening the pot on Captain Toad for you. The game now supports full co-op play on every single course thanks to a free update that was released for the game last night right after the Nintendo Direct was done. The good news is that the upcoming DLC, when it launches on March 14, will support the co-op as well. You can watch the announcement, which also includes gameplay footage of the new features, below- the video’s timestamped, so just hit play.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was a great, charming puzzle platformer when it launched on the Wii U in 2014, and retained its shine when it launched on the Switch and 3DS last year. If you haven’t already, make sure to look into getting it.

Owlboy

D-Pad Studio’s Owlboy first released in 2016 following years and years of development. Its charming art-style and believable characterization meshed well with the quasi-Metroidvania platforming it had to offer. Playing as Otis and flying through the skies to battle pirates and learn the truth about the world may not have been revolutionary but it’s utterly amazing adventure all the same.

While the earlier months of the year were a bit slower for the Nintendo Switch in terms of meaningful game releases, things began to pick up starting May, and reached a zenith in July, which saw a multitude of great new releases for the platform.

From Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker to Octopath Traveler, from Go Vacation to Paladins, and more, there were a host of great new games that launched for the Switch this month- and now, with July finally ending, Nintendo has shared a brand new video highlighting the best games that were available on the Switch this month- fully priced retail games, free to play games, smaller indie games, first party games, third party games, everything.

It’s a frankly impressive lineup, and it’s not a stretch to say that no other console had a better July than the Switch did. Of course, Nintendo is gearing up for some killer games in the back half of the year as well, such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee– so let’s see if they can keep this pace of releases up.

In spite of all of this, the popularity of the game was limited, owing to it being, well, on the Wii U. With Nintendo deciding to bring over all its best Wii U games to the Switch for a new audience to enjoy them, they’ve decided to give the same treatment to Captain Toad, who’s jumping over not just to the Switch, but also the 3DS. The two new versions are apparently mostly similar, with the 3DS version supporting stereoscopic 3D, and the Switch version supporting local multiplayer. Both versions are also pretty standard and straightforward ports of the Wii U original game, though they remove the Super Mario 3D World levels of the original, and replace them with new levels based on Super Mario Odyssey instead.

"Everything that was great about the game back then stands true even now. This is still a charming game that’s instantly arresting thanks to its beautiful graphics and its simple but compelling premise."

What this means is, everything that was great about the game back then stands true even now. This is still a charming game that’s instantly arresting thanks to its beautiful graphics and its simple but compelling premise. The premise, which just has you see Toad get through a small level full of hazards, with is limited mobility only letting him walk, not run or jump, while trying to find secrets that are hidden in plain sight if you just move the camera the right way, is still fantastic, and makes for great bite sized and long length play sessions.

In fact, I will argue that Captain Toad is better than it ever has been on the Switch. There are multiple smaller QoL features and improvements that make the game even better to play than it has been before. For instance, gyro no longer controls the camera, which was often an annoyance in the original game- you can still turn it on if you want (and it’s even great if you’re only playing at home), but just the option to turn it off is great.

The more important change is a new level of zoom, in between the full zoom out and the close up zoom in. This is actually the optimal perch for the camera, affording you a close up look at the action, while also giving you a wide field of view for you to be able to take distant hazards into consideration. Once again, this alone makes the game so much more enjoyable to play. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was always great, but these little changes go such a long way making it feel that much more meaningful.

"Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was always great, but these little changes go such a long way making it feel that much more meaningful."

Other changes, such as the game’s support for multiplayer (with Joycons too, at that!), as well as brand new levels in the game based on Super Mario Odyssey (including one based on New Donk City, which might be the single best level in the game across both its incarnations so far), all add to the value of the package with this re-release. Captain Toad has always been a fun game that you can enjoy with family- now, you can even play with your kid right there by handing him a Joycon. Neither the game nor the controls will be too hard for them to come to grips with, and soon enough, you can even expect your kid to be showing you up.

That comes down, a lot, to the game’s design of simple to complete, hard to master. If you just want to finish each level, it’s not going to take you long, and you can be done with the game in a matter of hours. But add optional side objectives, such as gathering all three Gems on each level, or completing a level-specific challenge (such as not letting the bridge, which crumbles every time you step on it, collapse in an early level), and the prospect of simply playing while trying to maximize the number of coins you gather, all adds some great replayability to the levels.

Of course, just as the strengths of the game have carried over to the Switch version, so too have some of the weaknesses. Unlike the strengths, thankfully, these haven’t been compounded. So, much like the Wii U game, this is a really short title- as mentioned above, you can eke some value out of it by trying to go for a full 100% completion, but that’s about it. There’s also not much new added here compared to the Wii U version- yes, we get the new Super Mario Odyssey stages, but we also lose the Super Mario 3D World stages in the process. Admittedly, I feel the Odyssey stages are better, but there was no reason to not just let us have both.

"Yes, we get the new Super Mario Odyssey stages, but we also lose the Super Mario 3D World stages in the process. Admittedly, I feel the Odyssey stages are better, but there was no reason to not just let us have both."

All said and done, this is a great pick up for a Switch owner, whether they are looking at playing it by themselves, or multiplayer. A cheap asking price of $40 only adds to the general impulse-buy nature of the game. It’s a great, charming, fun to play and replay puzzle game, and will probably become as comfort food for your Switch.

This game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch.

As you may have expected following reports of it selling out, Octopath Traveler is a big hit. The newest Japanese charts for video game hardware and software sales, courtesy of Media Create, have revealed that the game was the number one selling game in the country last week, with 110,111 copies sold- this, in spite of it only having been on sale for three days in the tracking period, and having run into shortages.

The other big Switch release of the week, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, came in at second place, selling a bit over 41,000 units (the 3DS version, which also launched last week, came in at sixth place with slightly over 14,500 units sold- collectively, the 3DS and Switch version represent a bigger debut than the Wii U version’s launch in 2014). Elsewhere, Switch games continued to leg it out on the software charts, with Super Mario Odyssey, Minecraft, Mario Tennis Aces, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Kirby Star Allies, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze all seeing strong holds, and Splatoon 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, incredibly, seeing sales rise week over week. Whew, lad.

On the hardware side of things, buoyed by so much strong software, the Switch came in first, with over 50,000 units sold. PS4 came in at second place, with a bit over 17,500 units sold last week, continuing its trend of a week-on-week decline. Finally, 3DS, with a bit over 7,000 units sold, was last place- unless you want to count the Xbox One, which sold all of 79 units in total. You can check out the full sales charts below.

Software Sales (followed by lifetime sales)

1. [NSW] Octopath Traveler (Square Enix, 07/13/18) – 110,111 (New)
2. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo, 07/13/18) – 41,852 (New)
3. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces (Nintendo, 06/22/18) – 21,838 (227,452)
4. [NSW] Splatoon 2 (Bundle Version Included) (Nintendo, 07/21/17) – 20,430 (2,447,782)
5. [NSW] Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Microsoft, 06/21/18) – 15,101 (121,785)
6. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo, 07/13/18) – 14,558 (New)
7. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, 04/28/17) – 11,417 (1,627,674)
8. [PS4] Mary Skelter 2 (Compile Heart, 07/12/18) – 10,370 (New)
9. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon (The Pokemon Company, 11/17/17) – 7,145 (1,668,513)
10. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Limited Edition Included) (Nintendo, 03/03/17) – 6,622 (1,043,717)
11. [NSW] Kirby: Star Allies (Nintendo, 03/16/18) – 6,160 (559,764)
12. [PS4] New Gundam Breaker (Limited Edition Included) (Bandai Namco, 06/21/18) – 5,023 (82,077)
13. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey (Bundle Version Included) (Nintendo, 10/27/17) – 5,016 (1,766,438)
14. [PS4] The Crew 2 (Ubisoft, 06/29/18) – 4,951 (32,276)
15. [PS4] Zanki Zero: Last Beginning (Spike Chunsoft, 07/05/18) – 4,164 (19,705)
16. [PS4] Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (Square Enix, 03/09/17) – 3,788 (167,064)
17. [NSW] Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo, 05/04/18) – 3,642 (190,330)
18. [NSW] Shining Resonance Refrain (Sega, 07/12/18) – 3,465 (New)
19. [PS4] Detroit: Become Human (SIE, 05/25/18) – 3,321 (90,360)
20. [PS4] Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 (Konami, 09/14/17) – 2,724 (172,154)

Hardware Sales (followed by last week’s sales)

1. Switch – 50,239 (44,237)
2. PlayStation 4 – 12,431 (12,608)
3. PlayStation 4 Pro – 5,165 (5,226)
4. New 2DS LL – 4,176 (3,965)
5. PlayStation Vita – 4,112 (3,444)
6. New 3DS LL – 2,507 (2,739)
7. 2DS – 448 (528)
8. Xbox One – 47 (41)
9. Xbox One X – 32 (47)