Nintendo Switch 2 Backward Compatibility: Why Many Switch Games Look Worse in Handheld Mode

Nintendo Switch 2 Backward Compatibility: Why Many Switch Games Look Worse in Handheld Mode When Nintendo launched the Nintendo Switch 2 just four months ago, anticipation ran high for seamless backward compatibility and a new generation of gaming on the Switch platform.

The console’s hybrid design remains a major draw, as gamers can smoothly transition between docked and handheld play.

With a robust launch lineup, abundant new games, and broad backward compatibility covering nearly every original Nintendo Switch title, the Switch 2 has seen strong demand and impressive market availability via the Nintendo eShop and retailers.

However, early adopters have begun to notice a technical issue affecting the handheld experience: many legacy Switch games appear noticeably blurrier on the new console’s higher resolution screen. This visual problem stems from a fundamental difference between the two systems.

The original Nintendo Switch’s display rendered handheld games at a maximum of 720p, while the Nintendo Switch 2 features an upgraded 1080p screen.

For backwards-compatible titles that haven’t received specific updates—or Switch 2 Editions—the system stretches the lower-resolution game to fill the larger, sharper display, often resulting in a softer and less crisp image.

While docked mode typically preserves or upscales resolution more cleanly, handheld-centric players—the very audience Nintendo emphasized—are left wishing for sharper visuals in many of their favorite titles. Notably, several high-profile titles suffer acutely from this issue.

For example, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Persona 5 Royal both operate at just 540p in handheld mode, making their visuals particularly blurry when scaled to 1080p.

Meanwhile, games natively rendered at 720p, like Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate, fare somewhat better, but the difference is still perceptible compared to newer Switch 2 titles.

Other games such as Kirby Star Allies, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity have long been cited for their inconsistent performance and resolution, issues that the Switch 2’s new screen accentuates rather than solves. Nintendo’s response has been selective patches and Switch 2 Editions for a handful of flagship games.

At launch, the company rolled out meaningful performance updates for titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, New Super Mario Bros.

U Deluxe, and Splatoon 3, enabling them to reach 1080p in handheld mode and look their best on the new hardware.

Additional Switch 2 Editions were introduced for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Nintendo has also confirmed upcoming editions for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Bros.

Wonder, set to arrive next year. Despite this progress, the vast majority of the original Switch library remains unpatched.

Addressing every game would be a considerable undertaking, with significant time and quality assurance resources required for each release.

Some in the gaming community have floated the idea of a universal "docked mode" option for handheld play—a setting that would allow players to force higher resolutions in portable mode.

However, based on Nintendo’s rigorous testing process and patch history, such a feature is unlikely, as it would necessitate retesting and potentially reengineering countless games. Communication from Nintendo about the future of Switch 2 Editions and performance patches has been limited.

While Switch 2 has delivered impressive backward compatibility overall, the technical hurdles of reworking hundreds of games for the updated screen leave most titles displaying their legacy visuals, for better or worse.

For now, dedicated fans who prefer handheld play will benefit most from the growing list of Switch 2 Editions and official patches, while the rest may have to accept some visual trade-offs or continue playing legacy titles on original hardware. As the Nintendo Switch 2 ecosystem matures, the community will be watching closely for updates and additional announcements via Nintendo Directs and the eShop.

Even with some visual drawbacks, the Switch 2’s backward compatibility ranks among the strongest in Nintendo’s history—a testament to the company’s efforts to bridge console generations and keep beloved games accessible to new and returning players.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Switch 2 Editions Switch eShop Kirby Star Allies Mario & Luigi: Brothership Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Xenoblade Chronicles series Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Persona 5 Royal Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Zelda: Link’s Awakening Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Super Mario Odyssey Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Splatoon 3 Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Super Mario Party Jamboree Kirby and the Forgotten Land Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Pokemon Legends: Z-A Animal Crossing: New Horizons Super Mario Bros. Wonder