Super Mario Odyssey Is Getting a Free Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade — And It’s About Time

Nintendo’s finally tossed fans a bone — and it’s a good one. Super Mario Odyssey, arguably one of the finest platformers the company has ever made, is getting a free visual upgrade for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. No extra cost. No sneaky subscription tie-in. Just a straight-up gift.

With all the noise lately around game pricing, delays, and those infuriating paywalled upgrades for older titles, it’s honestly refreshing to see something positive hit the wires. And better yet — it’s about a game that still feels as joyful and fresh as it did back in 2017.

Let’s break down what Nintendo’s offering, why it matters, and what it might signal for the rest of the Switch 2 lineup.

Nintendo’s Finally Said the Quiet Part Out Loud

For weeks, months even, Nintendo fans have been squinting at rumors and half-leaks trying to figure out how Switch 2 support would shake out. Would there be freebies? Would they repackage older titles as full-price remasters? Or worse, would we get nothing?

Turns out, we’re getting something — and it’s something good.

Super Mario Odyssey is being “optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality,” according to the company’s official website. And yes, HDR support is coming too. That alone could breathe new life into a game that already looked stunning.

Nintendo’s been vague about performance metrics — no hard numbers yet on whether it’ll hit 60fps across the board or see loading times cut. But hey, at least we know the update drops June 5. Same day the console hits shelves.

A Win for Players, Even If It’s Long Overdue

Let’s be real: the timing is convenient. After catching flak for premium-priced remakes and charging users for upgrades on first-party titles (yes, even for games they already bought), Nintendo needed a win.

This is that win. Sort of.

• Super Mario Odyssey is getting the HDR and high-res treatment.

• The upgrade is 100% free.

• The patch will be live on day one of the Nintendo Switch 2.

But of course, it doesn’t fully erase the frustration some fans feel about other titles — like “Welcome Tour,” which somehow isn’t free despite being a glorified tech demo. Or the fact that some classic titles require users to cough up more cash just to play them on a new console. Still, this Odyssey move shows Nintendo can do the right thing. When they feel like it.

Why Super Mario Odyssey Still Hits Hard

It’s easy to forget just how bold Odyssey felt when it launched. It broke the formula. It ditched the strict level structures of the past for open, explore-at-your-own-pace environments filled with weird, wonderful surprises.

Even now, nearly seven years later, it holds up. The controls are tight. The world design is playful. And the music — don’t even get us started.

But what makes this upgrade matter is that the game never needed a remake. It just needed love. Now, it’s getting some. And it could end up being the Switch 2’s sneaky-best launch title — even if it’s technically an old one.

Also, let’s be honest — with HDR, Odyssey’s already gorgeous landscapes are going to pop. New Donk City’s neon buzz? The shimmering sands of Tostarena? Chef’s kiss.

Not All Nintendo Games Are So Lucky

While Odyssey fans are celebrating, other Nintendo devotees have reason to be a little salty. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, despite being some of the most commercially successful titles on the Switch, still run… well, not great.

Glitchy terrain. Choppy framerates. Visuals that feel like a step backward compared to older entries. For a game this big, it’s kind of embarrassing.

Which is why there’s cautious optimism surrounding the rumored framerate upgrade for those games too. Nothing’s been officially confirmed beyond whispers and soft promises, but if the company is giving Odyssey a free boost, maybe there’s hope for Pokémon yet.

Here’s a quick look at how upgrades are shaping up so far:

Still weird that a tech demo isn’t free, but hey — baby steps.

What This Means for Nintendo Going Forward

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Nintendo’s relationship with digital ownership and upgrades hasn’t exactly been user-first. Compared to Xbox’s Smart Delivery or Sony’s selective (but often generous) cross-gen upgrades, Nintendo’s lagged behind.

But this move — giving fans a little something back for their loyalty — feels like a step in the right direction.

It won’t change the whole narrative, but it does make the Switch 2 launch a bit more exciting. And honestly, seeing Odyssey get this level of attention? That says something. Nintendo still knows what makes people smile — even if they take their sweet time showing it.

Let’s just hope they don’t backpedal later and suddenly lock HDR behind a subscription wall. You never know with these guys.