Nintendo Switch Update 22.0.0 has arrived for both the original console and the Nintendo Switch 2. While the legacy hardware receives a few minor quality of life adjustments, the new system gets a significant performance toggle and expanded social features.
Nintendo Switch 2: Exclusive Performance Features
The highlight of this firmware release for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the addition of Handheld Mode Boost. Found under the Software Handling menu, this setting allows compatible original Switch software to run as if the console were in TV Mode while playing handheld. This means higher resolution targets and more stable frame rates for older titles can be achieved, though Nintendo warns it may affect certain functionalities.
Nintendo fans have been mostly happy about the update. Community members are sharing screenshots of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 looking less crunchy in handheld mode. Fire Emblem Warriors is also reported to hit 60FPS while undocked for the first time. This feature provides higher resolution targets and stable frame rates for older titles.
Key Switch 2 Additions:
- Expanded GameChat: You can now invite friends to chat rooms directly from the console, even if they have not finished the initial setup.
- Media Management: Users can now set the Album to automatically upload video clips and screenshots with text.
- Storage Breakdown: A new menu provides a detailed breakdown of storage by data type for both internal memory and microSD Express cards.
- Accessibility Upgrades: Text to speech is now available during setup and within the Album.
Version 22.0.0 Feature Comparison
| Feature | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Friend List Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Handheld Mode Boost | No | Yes |
| GameChat Invites | No | Yes |
| Video Rewind (ZL/ZR) | No | Yes |
| Storage Breakdown | No | Yes |
| Parental PIN Notify | Yes | Yes |
Social and System Improvements
Both consoles now support a private note system for the Friend List. These notes are only visible to you and can be edited via the Nintendo Switch App version 3.3.0 or higher. Additionally, parental control users will now receive push notifications on their smart devices whenever a PIN is successfully entered on the console.
For the Switch 2 specifically, the Airplane Mode settings are now more intelligent. The console will remember your individual preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC when you toggle the mode on or off.
Editor’s Take
It is nice to see friend notes finally arrive, even if the feature is nearly a decade overdue. The real story here is the Handheld Mode Boost for the Switch 2. This effectively acts as an official ‘docked performance’ toggle for handheld play. It’s a win for enthusiasts who want to revisit the original Switch library without having to compromise the resolution and performance of the older hardware.
That said, the name change for the “South East Asia” region is a reminder of how long Nintendo has ignored that specific market. It is a minor technical update, for but players in those territories, it is a long sought acknowledgement. The GameChat improvements also suggest Nintendo is trying to make their native social suite more competitive, though we will have to see if the community actually moves away from Discord for their sessions.
