A new firmware update hit the Nintendo Switch 2 last week. Among the multitude of small changes is a new feature that will give Switch 1 games a notable upgrade.
Version 22.0.0 for the Switch 2 went live on March 16 and is available for download to the console. The big new feature in the update was Handheld Mode Boost, which will give Switch 1 games a visual upgrade when played on the Switch 2 in handheld mode.
[Nintendo Switch 2 System Update]
Version 22.0.0 adds “Handheld Mode Boost”. This will make Switch 1 games think that they are in TV mode even when in handheld.
Games can run at higher resolutions in TV mode, taking better advantage of the Switch 2’s 1080p screen. pic.twitter.com/aXOKWosFAw
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) March 17, 2026
What does Handheld Mode Boost do?
Even though the Switch 2 supports backward compatibility with almost all Switch 1 games, there was an issue. The Switch
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