Less than 24 hours after Nvidia gave us a glimpse at DLSS 5, Nintendo is rolling out its own graphical enhancement update. This one doesn't make game characters look like they've been 'yassified,' though. You can boot up your Switch 2 right now to download the new Nintendo Switch update, version 22.0.0. Alongside a few handy tweaks, it debuts Handheld Boost Mode.
When the Nintendo Switch 2 launched last year, one of the biggest discussions centered around backwards compatibility. Some titles benefit from the console's raw power, while others still face limitations that require hands-on attention from developers. However, the arrival of Handheld Boost Mode is a step in the right direction. "Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected," says Nintendo in the version 22.0.0 patch notes.
As you know, just about every new Switch game performs and looks better in Docked Mode. Although there are a few games that are impressive in Handheld Mode, such as Resident Evil Requiem, there will always be a trade-off. However, if you're playing older games intended for the last-generation Nintendo Switch, Handheld Boost Mode aims to improve their fidelity. We don't have a definitive list of which games look the best in this mode yet, but notable improvements can be seen already in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, according to reports on social media.
I downloaded the update, but the patch notes are missing some additional information. Alongside the possibility of increased power consumption, Handheld Boost Mode disables the console's touchscreen and treats your Joy-Cons as if they're a Pro controller. Should you wish to use another Nintendo Switch controller, the fine print states that "you'll need to detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers from the console before you can connect any other controllers."
To turn on Handheld Boost Mode, find the 'Nintendo Switch Software Handling' tab in the console's system settings. In addition to this inclusion, version 22.0.0 also gives us some tweaks to GameChat. Players can add notes to people on their friend list, but the recipient won't be able to see them. You can edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch app if needed. The patch details the following GameChat improvements:
- Adds 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 who haven't finished GameChat's 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
- The quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat improved when expanded
What games will you be testing with Handheld Boost Mode? Sound off over in the Pocket Tactics TikTok comments or in our Discord server.