Nintendo’s been cooking up some serious quality-of-life updates for its lineup of Nintendo 64 games, and it looks like Switch 2 is where it all comes together.
If you’re subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online and enjoy diving into retro hits, this next-gen refresh is a whole new way to enjoy them.
Here are the updates you can look forward to:
That Retro Look Is Back, and It’s Actually Good This Time
One of the biggest updates is the optional CRT filter, which recreates the look of playing on an old-school tube TV.
click to enlarge
+ 4It's a shader-based effect that mimics scanlines, screen blur, and contrast in a way that's only really possible with more powerful hardware.
Thanks to the Switch 2’s upgraded specs, the filter runs smoothly even at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K.
Finally, the long-requested feature is becoming standard for N64 games on this new hardware.
Retro authenticity fans have been waiting for this moment, especially after seeing similar filters on Game Boy and GBA games.
Finally, You Can Fix Those Weird N64 Controls
Anyone who's ever tried to play GoldenEye 007 or Star Fox 64 with Joy-Cons knows the struggle.
click to enlarge + 4The control layout of N64 games often feels completely mismatched with modern controllers. With Switch 2, players can finally remap buttons on a per-game basis.
This means no more awkward default layouts and games that were once tough to play are now way more accessible.
You won’t need to rely on muscle memory from 1997 anymore—unless you want to.
Rewind Function Gives You a Do-Over
Another new addition is the rewind feature, which lets you jump back a few moments in your game to fix a mistake or retry a section.
click to enlarge + 4This feature has been available in other emulated titles on NSO but is being offered for Nintendo 64 games for the first time and is clearly optimized for the Switch 2's hardware.
It’s particularly handy in games like Paper Mario or F-Zero X, where a single mistake can cost you a lot.
The rewind tool introduces a bit of leniency in games that don’t always go easy on players.
Don’t Expect These Upgrades on the Old Switch
Up until now, Nintendo has only confirmed that these updates are heading to the Switch 2’s N64 app.
click to enlarge + 4There’s been a lot of back-and-forth in the community over whether they’ll be made available for the original Switch. Some think older hardware could handle improvements like button mapping.
Still, others argue that more demanding features like the CRT filter or rewind tool are better suited for Switch 2’s updated OS and performance.
Until Nintendo makes a clear statement, it’s safest to assume these are Switch 2-only. Another big plus is that Nintendo isn’t charging extra for these features—at least for now.
Subscribing to NSO with the Expansion Pack means you’ll get the upgraded N64 app on Switch 2 at no additional cost for a new tier or DLC.
Of course, this could change down the line, but as it stands, it's a decent value and a refreshing move from a company that's often criticized for being slow with upgrades like these.
These features are launching with 34 N64 titles so far, including fan favorites like Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Pokemon Snap, and Mario Party.
Although most of these are still accessible on the original Switch, the Switch 2 version will undoubtedly provide a better overall experience.
Whether Nintendo brings these to other consoles or keeps them exclusive to the Switch 2, it’s clear this is how retro gaming stays alive without getting stuck in the past.
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