The Nintendo Switch 2 just got a huge update that brings a surprise upgrade to loads of your old Switch games (with a few exceptions) – Eurogamer

Version 22.0.0 is surprise update with a cool new feature.
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:
Follow these steps to enable or disable the Handheld Mode Boost setting on Nintendo Switch 2.
Information
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.
Complete these steps
Additional information
The patch notes follow.
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