The Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades the hardware and overhauls the entire Nintendo Switch Online system. All NSO benefits continue as before, with new console players getting exclusive features to boost social, immersive, and rewarding online experiences.
The core of this upgrade is GameChat, a built-in voice and video tool that enables users to chat, share screens, and video call friends directly from the console.
GameChat is instantly triggered by the new C Button on updated Joy-Con 2 controllers and is free without NSO membership until March 31, 2026. After that, it will become a premium feature locked behind a subscription.
What’s Different About the Retro Game Library?
Nintendo has rebranded its growing collection of emulated classics under the new "Nintendo Classics" banner.
This revamped library adds GameCube games for the first time to the NSO + Expansion Pack tier, starting with heavy hitters like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and SoulCalibur II.
These titles aren’t just straight ports because some include CRT filters, widescreen support, and smoother visuals. To go with the retro experience, Nintendo is launching a wireless GameCube-style controller sold on the My Nintendo Store.
Are There Any Exclusive Perks for Expansion Pack Members?
Absolutely, expansion Pack subscribers will now get free upgrade packs for specific games, so they can play the upgraded Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
These updated versions come with improved visuals, increased frame rates, and extra changes based on the title. These Zelda updates won’t cost Expansion Pack members anything, unlike some other Switch 2 Edition updates that are sold separately for games like Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
Nintendo has yet to say if this model will apply to all future Switch 2 upgrades, but early signs are positive.
What’s New About the Nintendo Switch App?
The Switch Online app on mobile is now the "Nintendo Switch App" and has expanded capabilities. The app now has voice chat for compatible games and includes Zelda Notes for Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Players can manage their friends, view recent activity, and upload up to 100 recent screenshots and videos straight from the app. The new update brings light and dark mode themes, smoother UI, and better responsiveness.
These tools make it simple for players to connect and arrange multiplayer sessions while away from their console.
Will Older Switch Games Run Better on the New Console?
Backward compatibility is one of the Switch 2’s strengths, so most titles from the original Switch library will work on the new console, and some will even perform better.
Nintendo confirmed that select titles, especially first-party favorites like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, will get dedicated Switch 2 Editions featuring native 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps.
Thanks to updated hardware like a custom NVIDIA chip, faster decompression, and Wi-Fi 6, older titles can expect faster loading, smoother frame rates, and higher resolution.
Nintendo mentioned a real-time translation system helps older games run on the Switch 2 hardware. Most titles work out of the box, but some need updates to run properly. Titles using exclusive gear such as Labo VR won’t work.
Is Nintendo Switch Online Still a Good Deal?
Prices for games and accessories are up, yet NSO is still one of the best deals around. Despite the new GameCube features and free Switch 2 upgrades, the Expansion Pack tier price remains unchanged for now. It still sits at $50 per year or even cheaper per person through family plans.
Compared to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, the NSO’s library is smaller, but it is also much cheaper. The risk comes down to what’s next, as Nintendo might clamp down on family plan rules or roll out new pricing tiers when GameChat goes behind a paywall in 2026.
NSO adds social features, improves classic games, and updates its app, moving forward without losing its original feel. The Switch 2 doesn’t just upgrade the hardware. It rewires Nintendo’s entire digital ecosystem.
For fans of classics, smooth connectivity, or the hybrid library, the new NSO experience is proof that Nintendo finally nailed online play in 2025.
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