Switch 2’s Free Upgrades Are Great — But Which Games Are Missing?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is bringing more than just new games to experience like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. It’s debuting the free upgrade model that’s been common during the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S so far this generation. So far a reasonable number of Nintendo Switch exclusives will be gifted a makeover which you will find listed below. What about the games that have not made the cut so far? Let’s go over the Nintendo Switch games that many are hoping to see a free or even paid new upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2 to find out.

Free Upgrades

1. 51 Worldwide Games
2. Arms
3. Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
4. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
5. Game Builder Garage
6. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
7. Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet
8. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
9. Super Mario Odyssey
10. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
11. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Paid Upgrades

1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land [$20]
2. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond [$??]
3. Pokémon Legends: Z-A [$10]
   
4. Super Mario Party Jamboree [$20]
5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild [$10]
6. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom [$10]

Our Wish List

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
2. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
3. Luigi's Mansion 3
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
5. Metroid Prime: Remastered
6. Nintendo Switch Sports
7. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
8. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
10. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

Nintendo is certainly targeting some of their more popular releases for upgrades at launch such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and multiple Pokémon games. That doesn’t mean we are not scratching our heads for a few of the left-out games. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the most popular game on the Nintendo Switch followed by Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Both of their absences from the spotlight do make us question Nintendo’s goal when selecting titles for upgrades. The lack of an upgrade for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe does make some sense as the series is getting a new entry via Mario Kart World even though we still would like an upgrade for the last generation's most popular release. Animal Crossing’s camera shyness is a puzzle for sure though.

Unless a new one is currently in the works that’s keeping Nintendo from green-lighting an upgrade. Regardless, Nintendo did not refrain from upgrading the previous Pokémon games even with a new one in the works. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is another significant game missing from action as the director's focus is on Kirby Air Riders, its next entry is looking to be a ways off.

Again, this leads me to believe Nintendo is not ignoring first-party games on the Nintendo Switch, instead opting to feed us upgrades over the next year. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD just launched at the beginning of the year which would be a shame if left without a 4K coat of paint. On the other hand, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a long shot because it is no longer sold digitally or physically with prices going through the roof. We can still hope for an upgrade and re-release anyway, right?

Final Thoughts

Typically, you would not expect so many games to feature upgrades, and due to aging software, Nintendo Switch games need upgrades if Nintendo plans to continue selling them at high prices all throughout the Nintendo Switch 2’s generation. It’s all speculation on my part but I expect Nintendo to continue releasing remasters of older titles with Metroid Prime 2 and 3 likely candidates. There are even a few Wii U titles that I’m still waiting for their Switch debut such as NES Remix and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD.