Nintendo has finally implemented VRR support for the Switch 2, automatically improving any game with an uncapped frame rate and increasing performance.

Whatever you think of the art style, there’s no doubt that the recently revealed Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake is the most graphically advanced video game Nintendo has ever made. It almost seems impossible that the Switch 2 could run a game with that level of fidelity but then one of the many complaints levelled at Nintendo’s handling of the new console is that, up until now, they’ve made no effort to demonstrate how powerful it might be.

Nowadays it’s not about raw hardware power though, as there are many AI-driven tools (the non-controversial flavour of AI) that can help improve things like frame rate and resolution, with almost no downsides.

VRR (variable refresh rate) support has been a thing for some time now, on other consoles, and many fans have been frustrated that the Switch 2 has not used it. But now, thanks to a new update, it does.

Update 23.0.0 is available right now, although we had to go looking for it from the System menu, rather than the console installing it automatically.

Fans weren’t being unreasonable in demanding VRR, because Nintendo said Switch 2 would support it before it launched but for some reason it’s taken over a year for support to emerge – with the feature having to be removed from product descriptions in the meantime.

Expert, exclusive gaming analysis

Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.

It only works when docked but it means you can instantly increase the frame rate for any game with an uncapped limit (i.e. if the game is purposefully capped at 30fps nothing will change). It won’t necessarily boost anything to 60fps, but it’ll be higher than it was, which results in smoother gameplay and visuals.

Most Nintendo games already run at 60fps, but this will be particularly useful for third party games, where external developers aren’t as familiar with the Switch 2’s architecture – especially ports of PlayStation 5 games.

Although it only takes a moment to install, the update is quite a substantial one and also adds the ability to do a full system transfer between two Switch 2 consoles. This has no doubt been added because of the new Zelda-themed Switch 2 console, so now if you buy that you can transfer all your stuff across in one go.

The Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition console still doesn’t have an official UK price but retailers such as Smyths are selling it for £429.99.

There are already reports of it, and the other new hardware – including a Zelda-themed Pro Controller and console carry case – selling out in the US and it’s not currently listed as in stock at any UK retailer.

That was far from the only new Zelda merch to be announced in Tuesday’s Nintendo Direct though, with everything from new amiibo to a Lego statue of Link and Epona. Zelda’s 40th anniversary was actually back in February, so while Nintendo said that celebrations will continue into next year, it’s not clear when exactly it will end.

Email [email protected], leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.


Comment now
Comments

Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source