Switch 2 system update adds Handheld Boost Mode for Switch games

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:

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.