Handheld Boost Mode forces Switch games to run as if docked, boosting performance and resolution
Nintendo has pushed out a new system update for the Switch 2, and the star feature is one that’s been much requested: Handheld Boost Mode. This mode allows the Switch 2 to run original Switch games in handheld mode as if they were docked in TV mode, increasing resolution and performance.
Many Switch games run in 720p (the resolution of the Switch’s built-in screen) when in handheld mode, upgrading to 1080p when docked. Handheld Boost Mode takes advantage of the Switch 2’s extra power and built-in 1080p screen to run Switch games like this all the time.
When in Handheld Boost Mode, Switch games treat the Switch 2’s attached Joy-Con 2 controllers as if they were a Pro Controller, and the touch screen may be disabled due to the game running in TV mode. Some on-screen instructions may be incorrect, too. As a result, some games with motion and touch controls are not compatible. Nintendo hasn’t provided a list, but reports indicate that Super Mario Maker 2, Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, among others, are blocked from Handheld Boost Mode. (In addition, it will have no effect on some games, depending on how they handle TV mode.)
Handheld Boost Mode isn’t a default setting; you need to turn it on in the settings menu, under “System” and “Nintendo Switch Software Handling.” Nintendo notes that it may increase power consumption while playing.
Elsewhere in the update, Nintendo has added the ability to save notes about friends on your friends list; made some GameChat improvements, making it easier to invite friends; changed the text and animation when loading a virtual game card; added some accessibility features, including Russian and Portuguese support for GameChat’s speech-to-text feature; and included breakdowns of storage capacity by data type.
Here are the full patch notes:
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Tested a couple of games this morning, specifically Nier Automata and Xenoblade 2.
The difference in image clarity was big for Nier Automata, but Xenoblade 2 really took me by surprise because any tiny improvement to image quality on that game is noticeable practically right away with how horrible it looked in handheld mode before this update.
Battery consumption is pretty high though, I only popped in those two games and didn’t even play them for a few minutes each and I went from 22% to 2% in about 15-20 minutes. I’ll need to charge my Switch 2 to 100% to get a real test, but it’s not looking all too hot with my quick test.
This update rules. Also apparently Unicorn Overlord should now run at full 1080p while in handheld mode on Switch 2 with this update, so anyone that was waiting to play that (like myself) should have a great time
Bayonetta 3 really needed this. I’m wondering if it can sit at 1080p since the docked resolution is dynamic on Switch 1. Either way, big upgrade over the often sub 480 it was on handheld with Switch 1. I’m also curious about DQXI and Astral Chain.
should have been a launch feature with the primary draw to the switch being playing games that have been out for years.
-Nintendo adds functionailty for Switch 2 to be able to play OG Switch titles the way the OG Switch should have been able to play them as.-
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