Nintendo Balances New Switch 2 Games with Classic Updates

Daily Games

·

10/11/2025

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After Nintendo surprised players - announcing Update 3.0 for Animal Crossing - New Horizons, the company explained part of its long term plan. The firm now develops games both for a new Switch 2 console and for the original Switch.

At a shareholder meeting, Nintendo director Shinya Takahashi said the company keeps weighing the number of people who work on brand new Switch 2 releases against the number who work on patch plus update tasks for Switch games that are already available. Players will therefore receive fresh games and updates to titles they already own while the new hardware is rolled out.

Nintendo treats each franchise differently. Animal Crossing - New Horizons obtained a major update but also also a separate version tuned for Switch 2; an update for Pikmin 4, by contrast, did not receive any Switch 2-only functions. Some franchises like The Legend of Zelda now charge a fee for a Switch 2 edition that offers improved frame rates and visuals.

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Those actions show that the company intends to keep the massive original Switch audience active. Patches for popular first party titles are expected to appear during the Switch 2's first years, particularly when no sequel has been scheduled. An immediate Mario Kart sequel, for example, has not been announced.

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