Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 update adds VRR support in TV mode

Nintendo has finally delivered Switch 2 docked variable refresh rate support for TV gaming. Nintendo's Switch 2 will now sync its refresh rate to your TV for smoother motion The company had initially announced then later dropped the feature. "VRR output is now support in TV mode," Nintendo wrote.

"When both the software and the TV support it, the video will be output at a refresh rate that matches the game's processing speed. An update to the Nintendo Switch 2 Dock is required to enable this feature." VRR reduces judder, tearing and other screen issues by matching your TV's refresh rate to the game's frame rate. When Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 last year, the company said that the console would support the feature in both handheld and docked (TV) modes.

While it did indeed deliver VRR on the handheld OLED display, Nintendo scrubbed information about docked VRR support and later confirmed that it would be a handheld-only feature. In July, though, Nintendo posted a job listing seeking a "senior display engineer" with "knowledge of display technologies such as HDR and VRR." That suggested strongly that it was still working on the feature, which is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and PC. Along with the VRR support, the new Switch 2 firmware update includes a new handheld boost toggle, an update to the Mii editor and the ability to transfer your entire system to another Switch 2 console.

Just yesterday during its Direct event, Nintendo unveiled Metroid Ravenous and a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, and will release a 40th-anniversary Legend of Zelda -themed Switch 2 console next month.

Nintendo always promised that the Switch 2 would support variable refresh rate (VRR) when docked, but the console launched without this key feature. A new 23.0.0 firmware update now adds VRR support to the Switch 2 when it's docked and in TV mode.

VRR adjusts a display's refresh rate to match a game's frame rate, […]. Gaming Nintendo Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 update adds VRR support in TV mode The latest firmware also enables Switch 2 system transfers just in time for the Zelda-themed Switch 2.

The latest firmware also enables Switch 2 system transfers just in time for the Zelda-themed Switch 2. VRR adjusts a display’s refresh rate to match a game’s frame rate, smoothing out gameplay and reducing screen tearing.

It will be particularly useful for games on the Switch 2 that have an unstable frame rate, and it’s a feature that the PS5 and Xbox Series S / X all support. The latest Switch 2 firmware also includes a new toggle for handheld boost mode in quick settings, as well as an update to the Mii editor that lets you enable music for some nostalgic Wii, 3DS, or Wii U Mii creation.

Nintendo has also added the ability to perform a full system transfer from one Switch 2 console to another, just in time for a Zelda -themed Switch 2 next month. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

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