Nintendo Says the Switch 2 Will Only Support VRR In Handheld Mode

Back at the start of April, Nintendo Switch 2 fans noticed mention of variable refresh rate, or VRR, on informational pages about the system that soon disappeared. Now, the company is clarifying just how and where VRR is working on the Nintendo Switch 2.

In a statement to NintendoLife, Nintendo says the original information about VRR published on the site 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 apologise for the error."

In response to VRR support for docked mode coming in a future firmware update, NIntendo said it has "nothing to announce on this topic."

So while the Switch 2 will support VRR as an option for the handheld side of things, it looks like right now, those using their new console on the TV won't see the same features.

The update arrives after a lot of head-scratching, as the original VRR mention was first noticed and then swiftly erased. Mentions of it disappeared gradually from different sites over time, as catalogued by Digital Foundry contributor Oliver Mackenzie.

While this might disappoint those hoping for variable refresh rate on the Switch 2's TV settings at launch, it might not mean all hope is lost. Sony issued an update rolling VRR support out to PS5 consoles post-launch, so it stands to reason we could see something similar happen here.

In other Switch 2 news, Nintendo just dropped a list of games that are getting free performance upgrades on the Switch 2, ranging from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser also insists the company will have enough Switch 2 units to meet demand "through the holidays."

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.