Nintendo has just released a new update for both the Switch 2 and Switch, bringing the system software up to Version 22.0.0. Whilst a lot of the tweaks and changes are what you’d expect from a firmware update like this – stability fixes, language additions, UI improvements in the Nintendo eShop, and so on – there’s one pretty significant feature that’s going to make a lot of your older games run better on the Switch 2’s fancy new hardware.

This feature is the “Handheld Mode Boost”. Per Nintendo in the patch notes for Version 22.0.0, Handheld Mode Boost, when enabled, allows compatible Switch software to run as if it’s “in TV Mode” on the original hardware. Ergo, you can use the Switch 2’s 1080p display in handheld mode – and upgrade from the original console’s 720p mode. The result? Some games will present with nicer graphics and visuals, and there will be performance boosts for some titles, too.

It is worth noting some games are blocked from this upgrade (likely because of control schemes related to docked mode that are impossible to emulate via handheld mode). So far, this appears to be Super Mario Maker 2, Pokemon Lets Go Pikachu/Eevee, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Skyward Sword HD, Clubhouse Games, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun!, Pikmin 1+2. The common theme between a lof of these games are motion or touchscreen controls. I will update this list as more games exempt from the list become apparent.

This is such a big addition that the usual patch notes (which you can see below) have been complemented with a guide about how to activate and use Handheld Boost Mode. Here’s what you need to know:

How to use Handheld Mode Boost on Switch 2

Follow these steps to enable or disable the Handheld Mode Boost setting on Nintendo Switch 2.

When enabled, Handheld Mode Boost causes the performance of Nintendo Switch software while undocked to run as if it were being played in TV mode.

• Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
• Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select System.
• Scroll down on the right and select Nintendo Switch Software Handling.
• Select Handheld Mode Boost to enable or disable this setting.

Additional information

• While enabling this setting can result in improved visuals, it may also increase the system’s power consumption.
• The effect of Handheld Mode Boost will vary based on the software. Some Nintendo Switch software will be unaffected, and this option has no effect on software for Nintendo Switch 2.
• Because this option forces TV mode operation, some instructions may be incorrect or fail to operate correctly.
• Handheld Mode Boost may prevent Nintendo Switch software from using the system’s touch screen, and will cause attached Joy-Con 2 controllers to be treated as a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
• To use other controllers, first detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers from the console.

The patch notes follow.

Nintendo Switch 2 System Update – Ver. 22.0.0 (Released March 16, 2026)

• Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
• Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
• Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
• The following features were added to support GameChat:
• Added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms you’re participating in. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts.
• Friends that haven’t finished GameChat initial setup can now be invited to GameChat. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts or those who haven’t used a Nintendo Switch 2.
• It may take a while for this change to be reflected after updating your console to system version 22.0.0.
• Improvements were made to the quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat when expanded.
• Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.
• Added the option to add the following data to “Automatic Uploads” from Album.
• Clip Video, Video saved as a screenshot, and screenshot with added text.
• Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to “GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text” languages in Accessibility.
• Text-to-Speech, under Accessibility, can now read the text in Album and during first-time setup.
• Please see Nintendo Switch 2 First-Time Setup and Connection for instructions on how to turn text-to-speech on in the first-time setup.
• Added the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for the system memory and microSD Express card.
• Added the ability to perform an audio test when “Linear PCM 5.1 Surround” is selected for TV Sound in Audio.
• Changed the “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea” region to “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/South East Asia” in Device.
• Added “Handheld Mode Boost” to Nintendo Switch Software Handling in System.
• Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected. Please see the on-device description for more details.
• The following features were added to Airplane Mode:
• When Airplane Mode is activated, the previously set preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC while in Airplane Mode will be saved and applied.
• Added the ability to individually enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC during Airplane Mode from the Quick Settings.
• Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
• The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
• General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.

Nintendo Switch System Update Ver. 22.0.0 (Released March 16, 2026)

• Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
• Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
• Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
• Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
• The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
• General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.