Nintendo Switch 2: all titles compatible with high dynamic range –

Although the magical acronym “4K HDR” is nothing new and has been a standard feature of many audiovisual and video game contents for more than a decade (as opposed to 8K, curved TVs or stereoscopic 3D), Nintendo, which always comes a little, or a lot, later with the acceptance and integration of certain multimedia formats, has made sure to boast about this graphics capability with its Nintendo Switch 2, The manufacturer’s latest console, which has been on sale for a month now.

It enables 4K HDR output in docked mode (logically on screens compatible with both 2160p resolution and high dynamic range), and includes other image quality enhancements such as 1440p (2K) intermediate output, 120 Hz or VRR in portable mode, and an HDR but Full-HD 1080p display. In terms of sound, it brings back the 5.1 surround sound via PCM already offered by the first Switch (it still doesn’t support Dolby or DTS) and adds some additional modern features, such as virtualized 3D surround sound and fairly decent noise cancellation for the built-in microphone.

But as much as developers and publishers insist that Nintendo embrace the latest audiovisual formats, when it comes down to it, the same thing happens as with its innovations in controls and gameplay capabilities: it is Nintendo itself that takes them on and makes the most of them from day one.

For example, Nintendo Switch 2 was released a month ago with a good number of HDR-compatible games, but the vast majority were their own, while third-party ports and new releases, with the exception of cases such as Civilization VII or Cyberpunk 2077, mostly ignored this capability.

From Nintendo:

“HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a type of technology that allows the use of a wider range of brightness (or dynamic range). On the Nintendo Switch 2, HDR allows for a greater variety of lights and colors, as well as a more varied expression of intensity and light and dark areas. HDR compatibility varies from game to game and requires a compatible screen when playing in TV mode.”

Ironically, although it is the last to achieve high dynamic range, Nintendo Switch 2 is the first console to offer HDR universally because its LCD screen in portable mode allows it. This means that the difference between SDR and HDR games is obvious when playing with the console in your hands, and also when your TV is compatible. The effect is striking: everything seems duller, or as if your TV has gone into power-saving mode when you switch to a game without HDR and lose that extra brightness, and we think colorful titles like Sonic X Shadow Generations would have benefited greatly from the option.

• Warning: Of course, to enjoy the videos in this article, you must watch them on an HDR-compatible screen.

About the Switch 2 system’s forced automatic HDR and the differences

While we wait for some of them to receive an update patch, we also tested the automatic “fake” HDR that Switch 2 can offer if you keep the HDR setting active and don’t set it to “only on compatible titles.” Of course, native HDR games are prepared by default to take advantage of the full dynamic range, but we observed, and captured in the attached gameplay, that titles like Street Fighter 6 or Disney Dreamlight Valley look much better with this system-enforced HDR.

All Nintendo Switch 2 games with native HDR known so far

With the imminent release of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 with native HDR, and after this general introduction, we examine and compile this list of titles for Nintendo Switch 2 that can produce a wide range of luminance on compatible screens.

[Voortdurend bijgewerkt] Below is a list of Switch 2 titles that we have been able to verify or that have been officially confirmed to have a native High Dynamic Range option, along with their release date.

1. ARMS (free update from Nintendo Switch)
2. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (free update from Nintendo Switch)
3. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (June 5, 2025)
4. Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17, 2025)
5. Drag x Drive (Aug. 14, 2025)
6. Rapid fusion (June 5, 2025)
7. Mario Kart World (June 5, 2025)
8. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (2025)
9. Nintendo Switch 2 welcome tour (June 5, 2025)
10. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (June 5, 2025)
11. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Bowser’s Fury part only) (free update from Nintendo Switch)
12. Super Mario Odyssey (free update from Nintendo Switch)
13. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 edition (June 5, 2025)
14. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (free update from Nintendo Switch)
15. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (free update from Nintendo Switch)
16. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 edition (June 5, 2025)
17. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 (July 11, 2025)

That said, and in the absence of confirmation of any change in plans, it is surprising that titles published by Nintendo such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Oct. 16, 2025) or Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + The Astral World (Aug. 28, 2025) do not come with HDR, although it is understandable that in both cases the original developments were for Nintendo Switch and it may be that the original code does not perform as well in the port as in other cases.