Trending Now - Nintendo Switch 2 Update Introduces Enhanced Handheld Mode
WHO:
Nintendo, a video game company, released the update for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch.
WHAT:
The update includes stability fixes, language additions, and UI improvements in the Nintendo eShop.
The update allows users to save notes about friends on their Friend List, which are not displayed to friends.
The Nintendo Switch App must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use the new note feature.
The update added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms and improved the quality of game screen sharing in GameChat.
The update allows users to rewind or advance 10 seconds when watching full-screen videos in News or Nintendo eShop.
Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to the "GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text" languages in Accessibility.
The update includes the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for system memory and microSD Express card.
The system software was updated to Version 22.0.0.
A new feature called "Handheld Mode Boost" was introduced, allowing compatible Switch software to run as if it were in TV Mode.
The Switch 2 can now run in handheld mode at 1080p, compared to the original unit's 720p.
Some games are blocked from this upgrade, including Super Mario Maker 2, Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Skyward Sword HD, Clubhouse Games, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun!, and Pikmin 1+2.
WHERE:
The update applies to the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch systems globally.
WHEN:
The update was released on March 16th, 2026.
WHY:
The update aims to enhance the performance and visual quality of older games on the new hardware.
HOW:
Users can enable or disable the Handheld Mode Boost setting by navigating to System Settings, selecting System, then Nintendo Switch Software Handling, and finally selecting Handheld Mode Boost.
Users can enable or disable Handheld Mode Boost by navigating to System Settings on the HOME Menu, selecting System, then Nintendo Switch Software Handling, and finally selecting Handheld Mode Boost.
Enabling Handheld Mode Boost may increase the system's power consumption and could affect the functionality of some software, including touch screen capabilities.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 19:27 UTC)
Nintendo has rolled out a significant update for the eShop, introducing stability fixes, language additions, and user interface improvements. This update allows users to save private notes about friends on their Friend List, invites friends to GameChat rooms, and enhances video playback features, including the ability to rewind or advance ten seconds when watching full-screen videos. Additionally, the update adds Portuguese and Russian to the accessibility features and provides a detailed breakdown of storage capacity by data type for system memory and microSD cards.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 11:19 UTC)
On March 16, Nintendo released a significant update for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, upgrading the system software to Version 22.0.0. This new update introduces a feature called "Handheld Mode Boost," allowing compatible games to run at 1080p in handheld mode, while some titles like Super Mario Maker 2 and Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee are excluded from this enhancement. Users can easily enable or disable this feature through the System Settings, but they should be aware that it may increase power consumption and affect some software functionalities.