The Nintendo Switch 2 quietly received its biggest update yet, which added a Handheld Boost Mode option for Switch 1 games. This feature essentially allows the Nintendo Switch 2 to run Switch 1 games as if they were in Docked Mode while 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 of the Switch 2, many original Switch games have already received Switch 2 Editions that natively offer better visuals and performance. Games like Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond have Switch 1 and Switch 2 versions of the same game. However, not every Switch 1 game has a Switch 2 Edition upgrade, making this Handheld Boost Mode update a great way to improve the performance of some of these other titles.
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Fire Emblem: Three Houses
In general, games that contain a lot of visual detail are going to run better with Handheld Boost Mode on, and a tactical RPG like Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a prime example of this. Three Houses ran notoriously poorly on Switch 1, with frequent FPS dips while exploring Garreg Mach Monastery, and character models tended to look very low-res, especially in handheld mode. Now the game looks much crisper while Handheld Boost Mode is on, and the power of the Switch 2 helps prevent frame drops.
Balance the critic averages
Balance the critic averages
Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Another massive RPG on the Switch is Kingdom Come: Deliverance—Royal Edition, which 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 makes the environments crystal clear and enhances character face models, so players can enjoy Henry of Skalitz and Hans Capon’s likeness in higher resolution. Reddit user unknownbystander shared a comparison of screenshots with Boost Mode on versus off, and despite still running at 30 FPS, there is a clear resolution upgrade.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Metroid Prime Remastered already looked quite good on the original Switch, but compared to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, there is a noticeable difference in resolution quality. Fortunately, the Switch 2’s Handheld Boost Mode takes an already great-looking game and makes it look even sharper. Although it’s still not on the same level as Metroid Prime 4, it’s still worth experiencing Metroid Prime Remastered‘s beautiful world with this improved graphics mode.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal‘s Switch port is an interesting case where it runs at a very stable 30 FPS at the cost of diminished visual fidelity. However, thanks to the Switch 2’s Handheld Boost Mode, many of the aliasing issues present in Persona 5 Royal‘s original Switch version are solved. Reddit user Poyomininmble showcased some side-by-side comparisons of the game running with the Handheld Boost Mode on and off, claiming that while with the boost off, the game ran at 540p, whereas it jumped to 900p with the boost mode on.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Despite the praise for its novel action RPG gameplay at launch, one of the biggest criticisms of Pokemon Legends: Arceus was its muddied visuals, which were especially apparent in the Switch 1’s handheld mode. With the release of Handheld Boost Mode for the Switch 2, Pokemon Legends: Arceus‘ Hisui Region and Jubilife Village hub look far more impressive. Once again, the aliasing problems are virtually gone when running the game in Handheld Boost Mode on the 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 like 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 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate look very blurry in handheld mode, and the Handheld Boost Mode of the Switch 2 largely solves this issue. It’s not a perfect improvement, but comparing the look of Link and Cloud on Final Destination reveals that there is a pretty significant difference when playing with Handheld Boost Mode on, compared to when playing with it turned 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 game with a massive open world 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, while in handheld mode.
What makes Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition such a peculiar case in regard to this Handheld Performance Boost mode is that the game just received a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade. However, fans have not been happy with Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition‘s 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. Players are already noticing that the Switch 1 version running in Handheld Boost Mode actually looks better than the Switch 2 Edition, making this the ideal way to play Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Switch 2.
