During today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo unveiled exciting news for fans: nearly the entire catalog of Nintendo Switch games will be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. Even more thrilling, select titles are set to receive enhanced "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" versions, boasting unique features tailored for the new console. Highlighted games include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Mario Party: Jamboree.

Each of these upgraded games comes with its own set of enhancements. The spotlight first shone on Super Mario Party: Jamboree, which introduces a feature dubbed "Jamboree TV". This upgrade brings innovative controls such as mouse functionality, audio recognition, "more expressive rumble", and gameplay utilizing a new camera accessory.

Next up were The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which will benefit from enhanced resolution, improved framerate, and HDR support. Additionally, they will leverage a new feature within the Nintendo Switch Online app called Zelda Notes. This service will offer voice guidance to assist in locating Shrines and Koroks, and allow players to share their creations in Tears of the Kingdom via QR codes with friends.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land will see a significant upgrade with a new story exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, titled Star-Crossed World, alongside superior graphics and framerates.

Two eagerly awaited titles, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will also receive upgraded versions. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will support mouse controls, and deliver visuals at 4K resolution with 60fps and HDR. Pokemon Legends: Z-A will offer enhanced resolution and framerates.

These upgraded versions will be available in both physical and digital formats. For those who already own the original games on the Switch, upgrade packs will be available for purchase for Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Party, and Kirby.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Nintendo Switch Editions

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Later in the presentation, Nintendo revealed that several third-party games will also receive Nintendo Switch 2 Editions. Notable titles include Civilization 7, featuring mouse support, and Street Fighter 6, which will include exclusive game modes for the Switch 2.

Nintendo had already sparked curiosity about these "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games last week with a webpage footnote mentioning them in relation to the newly-announced Virtual Game Card system. The note clarified that these upgraded games could not be transferred via Virtual Game Card to the original Nintendo Switch.

You can catch up on all the announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.