As Nintendo’s hardware and platform strategy evolves, publishers have issued upgrade packs for select Switch titles marketed as “Switch 2 Edition” updates.
These packages vary widely in scope: some are primarily performance patches, others add new content or control options.
Below is a journalistic, ranked look at major upgrade packs and how they stack up for players who already own the original Nintendo Switch releases.
Context and methodology
This ranking focuses on major upgrade packs that have been publicly distributed through Nintendo’s channels, including the Nintendo eShop and promotional windows such as Nintendo Direct presentations.
Game and developer context cited where verifiable: Super Mario Party was developed by NDcube (2018), Pokémon Legends: Arceus was developed by Game Freak (2022), Xenoblade Chronicles X was developed by Monolith Soft (original release 2015), Metroid Prime 4’s development history involves Retro Studios following Nintendo’s 2019 announcement to restart the project, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were developed by Nintendo EPD (2017 and 2023 respectively), Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo EPD (2020), Super Mario Bros.
Wonder by Nintendo EPD (2023), and Kirby and the Forgotten Land by HAL Laboratory (2022).
8.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
The Jamboree package drew criticism for limited practical value relative to its price point.
At launch, users reported that the game presented both the original Switch version and the upgraded version separately on the title screen, and that some online compatibility restrictions remained between versions.
The upgrade added camera- and microphone-driven minigames, but those additions were widely seen as niche.
7.
Pokémon Legends: Z‑A (Pokémon Legends: Arceus upgrade)
This upgrade primarily focused on performance and stability improvements.
Industry observers noted that many titles have received similar uplift via free patches, leaving a paid upgrade that offers only performance gains feeling underwhelming to some players.
6.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Monolith Soft’s original Wii title received a performance-focused update that aimed to modernize resolution and framerate.
While the definitive treatment improved responsiveness, some players reported artefacts from upscaling in handheld mode, indicating room for refinement.
5.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4’s dedicated upgrade distinguishes itself by adding new control options and performance tiers alongside resolution improvements.
Retro Studios’ involvement in the franchise’s development history and the studio’s legacy with the Metroid Prime trilogy give this package notable weight among fans.
4.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
These flagship Nintendo EPD titles benefit significantly from performance upgrades that enhance fluidity and responsiveness.
Where available, the upgrade packages have also tied into Nintendo Switch Online services, such as companion app features, offering quality-of-life additions for longtime Hyrule explorers.
3.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
New Horizons’ upgrade emphasizes reduced load times, resolution improvements, and control enhancements to streamline island life.
The update also introduced features that make in‑game navigation and decoration more convenient on newer hardware.
2.
Super Mario Bros.
Wonder
Nintendo EPD’s Wonder upgrade expands multiplayer and boss encounters, and adds training challenges that extend the base game’s longevity.
For players seeking fresh platforming content and tougher optional trials, this package represents meaningful post-launch support.
1.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Topping the list, Kirby’s upgrade pack combines significant content additions with performance and resolution enhancements.
The package includes dozens of new levels and a new final boss, making it compelling for both new players and series fans.
Conclusion
Upgrade packs for Nintendo Switch-era titles run the gamut from routine performance patches to substantial content expansions.
For developers and publishers, the challenge remains balancing value, backward compatibility, and meaningful new features.
For players, the best upgrade pack is the one that delivers clearly observable improvements or genuinely new content — and several of the packages above meet that standard more convincingly than others.
What’s your take?
Share which upgrades you consider essential and which felt unnecessary on the Nintendo eShop or in community conversations following Nintendo Direct announcements.
These packages vary widely in scope: some are primarily performance patches, others add new content or control options.
Below is a journalistic, ranked look at major upgrade packs and how they stack up for players who already own the original Nintendo Switch releases.
Context and methodology
This ranking focuses on major upgrade packs that have been publicly distributed through Nintendo’s channels, including the Nintendo eShop and promotional windows such as Nintendo Direct presentations.
Game and developer context cited where verifiable: Super Mario Party was developed by NDcube (2018), Pokémon Legends: Arceus was developed by Game Freak (2022), Xenoblade Chronicles X was developed by Monolith Soft (original release 2015), Metroid Prime 4’s development history involves Retro Studios following Nintendo’s 2019 announcement to restart the project, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were developed by Nintendo EPD (2017 and 2023 respectively), Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo EPD (2020), Super Mario Bros.
Wonder by Nintendo EPD (2023), and Kirby and the Forgotten Land by HAL Laboratory (2022).
8.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
The Jamboree package drew criticism for limited practical value relative to its price point.
At launch, users reported that the game presented both the original Switch version and the upgraded version separately on the title screen, and that some online compatibility restrictions remained between versions.
The upgrade added camera- and microphone-driven minigames, but those additions were widely seen as niche.
7.
Pokémon Legends: Z‑A (Pokémon Legends: Arceus upgrade)
This upgrade primarily focused on performance and stability improvements.
Industry observers noted that many titles have received similar uplift via free patches, leaving a paid upgrade that offers only performance gains feeling underwhelming to some players.
6.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Monolith Soft’s original Wii title received a performance-focused update that aimed to modernize resolution and framerate.
While the definitive treatment improved responsiveness, some players reported artefacts from upscaling in handheld mode, indicating room for refinement.
5.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4’s dedicated upgrade distinguishes itself by adding new control options and performance tiers alongside resolution improvements.
Retro Studios’ involvement in the franchise’s development history and the studio’s legacy with the Metroid Prime trilogy give this package notable weight among fans.
4.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
These flagship Nintendo EPD titles benefit significantly from performance upgrades that enhance fluidity and responsiveness.
Where available, the upgrade packages have also tied into Nintendo Switch Online services, such as companion app features, offering quality-of-life additions for longtime Hyrule explorers.
3.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
New Horizons’ upgrade emphasizes reduced load times, resolution improvements, and control enhancements to streamline island life.
The update also introduced features that make in‑game navigation and decoration more convenient on newer hardware.
2.
Super Mario Bros.
Wonder
Nintendo EPD’s Wonder upgrade expands multiplayer and boss encounters, and adds training challenges that extend the base game’s longevity.
For players seeking fresh platforming content and tougher optional trials, this package represents meaningful post-launch support.
1.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Topping the list, Kirby’s upgrade pack combines significant content additions with performance and resolution enhancements.
The package includes dozens of new levels and a new final boss, making it compelling for both new players and series fans.
Conclusion
Upgrade packs for Nintendo Switch-era titles run the gamut from routine performance patches to substantial content expansions.
For developers and publishers, the challenge remains balancing value, backward compatibility, and meaningful new features.
For players, the best upgrade pack is the one that delivers clearly observable improvements or genuinely new content — and several of the packages above meet that standard more convincingly than others.
What’s your take?
Share which upgrades you consider essential and which felt unnecessary on the Nintendo eShop or in community conversations following Nintendo Direct announcements.
