Nintendo has rolled out a new firmware update for both the original Switch and the recently launched Switch 2. Version 20.4.0 is now live, though official patch notes remain sparse. As with many past updates, the only documented change so far is the familiar line about system stability improvements.
On the first-generation Switch, some under-the-hood tweaks were spotted. The controller-handling code and the web browser appear to have been updated, suggesting minor optimizations or security adjustments. For Switch 2, no detailed changes have been reported yet, though speculation points to further refinements in backward compatibility, an area that Nintendo has quietly been polishing since launch. The previous update, version 20.3.0, released in late July, also emphasized stability enhancements without major new features.
This update arrives during a significant moment for Nintendo’s latest hardware. The Switch 2, which launched worldwide on June 5, 2025, continues to post impressive sales figures despite ongoing concerns within the development community. According to Circana and Sensor Tower, the U.S. video game market grew 5 percent year-over-year in July, reaching a total of 5.051 billion dollars in spending. Hardware was the standout category, surging 21 percent compared to the prior year, with Switch 2 leading the charge. The system has now surpassed two million units sold in the U.S. alone, outpacing the original Switch’s early performance by 75 percent.
While consumer adoption is strong, developer access to Switch 2 remains a sticking point. Reports from Gamescom 2025 highlighted frustrations among studios over the limited availability of dev kits. According to comments shared by Digital Foundry, even established AAA teams have struggled to secure the necessary hardware to prepare dedicated versions of their games. Some developers have reportedly been advised to target the original Switch and rely on backward compatibility instead, a decision that has caused unease given the growing Switch 2 user base.
Despite these challenges, Nintendo’s position in the market remains dominant. Switch 2 was the best-selling platform in both units and revenue for July, ahead of PlayStation 5, while Xbox Series hardware faced steep declines. Meanwhile, sales of the previous-generation Switch have naturally slowed, dropping 52 percent compared to the prior year.
For now, the latest firmware update may not bring headline features, but it reflects Nintendo’s continued effort to refine both generations of its hardware as Switch 2 establishes itself as the company’s flagship platform.
