Back in early April, fans of the Nintendo Switch 2 were abuzz with the mention of variable refresh rate (VRR) on informational pages, which quickly vanished, sparking curiosity and speculation. Now, Nintendo has stepped forward to clarify the specifics of VRR functionality on the Nintendo Switch 2.
In a statement issued to NintendoLife, Nintendo confirmed that the initial information about VRR was incorrect: "Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode only. The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologize for the error." When asked about potential future support for VRR in docked mode via a firmware update, Nintendo responded with, "We have nothing to announce on this topic."
This means that while the Switch 2 will offer VRR as an option in handheld mode, users connecting their console to a TV will not have access to this feature at launch. The clarification comes after a period of confusion when the VRR mention was first spotted and then removed. The gradual disappearance of these mentions across various sites was meticulously tracked by Digital Foundry contributor Oliver Mackenzie.
While this might be disappointing for those who were hoping for VRR support in TV mode right out of the gate, it's not necessarily the end of the line. For example, Sony introduced VRR support to the PS5 through a post-launch update, suggesting that Nintendo might follow suit with the Switch 2 in the future.
In other exciting news for the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo has recently announced a list of games that will receive free performance upgrades on the new console. This list includes titles like Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Additionally, Nintendo of America's president, Doug Bowser, has assured fans that the company will have ample Switch 2 units to meet demand "through the holidays."
