Nintendo has released a new firmware update, version 20.1.5, for both the original Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2. This update, released on June 18, 2025, primarily focuses on general system stability improvements designed to enhance the overall user experience.
Though the official patch notes mention only stability enhancements, further details suggest that the update also aims to address lingering issues related to backward compatibility for Switch 1 titles on the new hardware. The well-regarded dataminer and Nintendo tracker OatmealDome confirmed that this firmware version was released for both consoles and hinted at improvements in how certain legacy games perform on the Switch 2 system.
In addition to the system update, select titles from the original Nintendo Switch library have received patches aimed at resolving compatibility issues. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been updated to version 2.0.8, addressing a softlock issue when speaking to the character Tom Nook, specifically on the Switch 2. It also fixes a bug affecting both Switch models where newly crafted fencing items could not be properly added to the inventory.
Similarly, Pikmin 3 Deluxe was patched to version 1.1.3. This update resolves a screen flickering problem that occurred during gameplay on the Switch 2. Nintendo has noted that a corresponding fix for the demo version of the game will be provided in the future.
Despite these updates, not all compatibility concerns have been fully resolved. OatmealDome reported that while many problematic games seem to be performing better after the update, some titles, such as Portal 2, continue to experience crashes. According to their post, there are indications that a separate update for Portal 2 may be required to address this particular issue fully.
Earlier this year, Nintendo reassured its audience by sharing that nearly the entire Nintendo Switch 1 game library would be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2. However, over 100 titles were reported to have issues during the initial compatibility testing phase. It appears that today’s update is part of an ongoing effort to minimize these remaining problems and ensure a smoother transition between console generations.
For players concerned about individual game performance, it is advised to install the latest firmware and try any previously problematic titles, as improvements may now be noticeable even if they are not officially documented on Nintendo’s compatibility lists.
As always, Nintendo has not publicly disclosed every specific fix included in this update, and the company’s official patch notes remain brief. Further improvements may be detailed as more information becomes available from dataminers and community testing.
