The Nintendo Switch 2 quietly received its biggest update yet, which added a Handheld Boost Mode option for Switch 1 games. This feature basically allows the Nintendo Switch 2 to run Switch 1 games as if they were docked in handheld mode. The result is some dramatic visual improvements to many of the original Switch's games while playing the Switch 2 in handheld mode, with several standout games being the clear winners of this update.
With the improved hardware in the Switch 2, many original Switch games have already received Switch 2 editions that offer better visuals and performance. Games like Breath of the Wild, The tears of the kingdom, Pokemon Legends: ZAand Metroid Prime 4: Beyond have Switch 1 and Switch 2 versions of the same game. However, not all Switch 1 games have a Switch 2 Edition upgrade, making this update to Handheld Boost Mode a great way to improve the performance of some of these other titles.
THQ Nordic has just confirmed 3 games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year
Publisher THQ Nordic has just confirmed three games heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 this year, and one coming to the original Switch.
Fire emblem: Three houses
In general, games that contain a lot of visual detail will perform better with Handheld Boost Mode on, and a tactical RPG that Fire emblem: Three houses is an excellent example of this. Three houses ran notoriously poorly on the Switch 1, with frequent FPS dips when exploring Garreg Mach Monastery, and character models tended to look very low-res, especially in handheld mode. Now the game looks much sharper while Handheld Boost Mode is on, and the power of the Switch 2 helps prevent frame drops.
Balance the critics' averages
Start
Balance the critics' averages
Light (6) Medium (8) Hard (10)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Another massive RPG on Switch is Kingdom Come: Deliverance—Royal Editionwhich originally ran at a somewhat stable 30 FPS and had some noticeable resolution compromises when playing in handheld mode. The Switch 2's Handheld Boost feature now renders environments crystal clear and improves character models, allowing players to enjoy the likeness of Henry of Skalitz and Hans Capon in higher resolution. Reddit user unknownbystander shared a comparison of screenshots with Boost Mode on vs off, and while it's still running at 30 FPS, there's a clear resolution upgrade.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Metroid Prime Remastered already looked pretty good on the original Switch, but compared to Metroid Prime 4: Beyondthere is a noticeable difference in resolution quality. Fortunately, the Switch 2's Handheld Boost Mode takes an already good-looking game and makes it look even sharper. Although it is still not at the same level as Metroid Prime 4, it is still worth experiencing Metroid Prime Remastereds beautiful world with this enhanced graphics mode.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 RoyalThe Switch port is an interesting case where it runs at a very stable 30 FPS at the cost of reduced visual fidelity. But thanks to the Switch 2's Handheld Boost Mode, many of the aliasing problems are contained Persona 5 Royals original Switch version is fixed. Reddit user Poyomininmble showed off some side-by-side comparisons of the game running with Handheld Boost Mode on and off, claiming that while the boost was off the game ran at 540p, while it jumped to 900p with the boost mode on.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Despite praise for its new action-RPG gameplay at launch, one of the biggest critics of Pokemon Legends: Arceus were its blurry visuals, which were especially evident in the Switch 1's handheld mode. With the release of Handheld Boost Mode for Switch 2, Pokemon Legends: ArceusThe Hisui region and the Jubilife Village hub look much more impressive. Again, the aliasing issues are virtually gone when running the game in Handheld Boost Mode on Switch 2, making it clearly the definitive way to experience Pokemon Legends: Arceus on the go.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
A very action-packed game that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate makes the visual differences between docked and handheld mode on the Switch clear. Some of the more detailed stages and characters in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate looks very blurry in handheld mode, and the Handheld Boost Mode on the Switch 2 largely solves this problem. It's not a perfect improvement, but comparing the appearance of Link and Cloud on Final Destination shows that there is a pretty significant difference when playing with Handheld Boost Mode on, compared to when playing with it off.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Perhaps the most interesting game to take advantage of the Switch 2's Handheld Boost Mode is Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. This is another huge open world game that sacrifices visual clarity for more stable performance on the Switch. However, with the new boost mode enabled, it looks a lot smoother, especially around character models and detailed environmental elements, in handheld mode.
What does Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition One such strange case regarding this Handheld Performance Boost mode is that the game just received an upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. However, the fans have not been satisfied Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editions Switch 2 upgrade, as it seems to upscale textures in a way that makes them look blurry and less defined compared to the Switch 1 version. Gamers are already noticing that the Switch 1 version running in Handheld Boost Mode actually looks better than the Switch 2 Edition, making this the perfect way to play Xenoblade Chronicles X on Switch 2.
