The Nintendo Switch the console family received its first system update in 2026. The last major system update arrived in early December 2025, making it the Switch's first update of the new year.
2026 is going to be an eventful year for Nintendo, if its major anniversaries are any indication. in 2026 Zelda and Metroid will be 40 years old Pokemon will be 30 years old and Animal Crossing will be, among other things, 25 years. It's also a significant anniversary for many of its consoles; The 15th anniversary of the Nintendo 3DS, the 25th anniversary of the Game Boy Advance and GameCube, and the 30th anniversary of the Nintendo 64 are all in 2026. While many of these will likely have celebrations and new announcements revealed in the coming months, keeping the current lineup of systems running smoothly for gamers is an important part.
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Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 Get the January 2026 system update
On January 12, Nintendo released system updates for both the original Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. This update brings both systems to version 21.2.0 and should serve to make gaming on Nintendo consoles smoother. However, Nintendo didn't reveal many details about what was included in the update, only saying that both versions of the system received general system stability improvements. In this regard, the update is similar to the last update that Switch consoles received in 2025.
Getting updates should be a simple process for both Switch and Switch 2 users. If the system is left in standby mode with an internet connection, the update will download automatically. In case there has been no update, users can do so manually by entering the System Settings menu from the home screen and selecting “System Update” from the “System” sub-menu. If the update does not download or install properly, Switch owners should try restarting their consoles.
What's happening with the Nintendo Switch in 2026?
While this update isn't the most exciting thing to hit the Switch, it should help pave the way for a smooth launch for a number of games landing this year. Switch 2 owners are currently looking forward to Nintendo games Pokemon Pokopia, Mario tennis feverand Yoshi and the mysterious bookto name a few. The Switch 2 is also getting a number of third-party games at launch, such as Resident Evil Requiemgiving Switch 2 owners more to enjoy in the first half of 2026. But there could be a lot more on the way.
A recent leak suggests that the first major Nintendo Direct of 2026 is likely to land on February 10th. The direct will likely focus on upcoming games in the first half of the year for the Nintendo Switch 2, but one surprise reportedly in the works is a new 3D Super Mario game. The event has been described as “huge”, so if the rumors turn out to be true, there should be a lot of things to be excited about in less than a month.
In early February, the Nintendo Direct will likely be well received by fans considering what happened in 2025. With the Nintendo Switch 2 then on the horizon, gamers eagerly awaited a Nintendo Direct in the first few months of the year, but didn't get one focused on the new console and upcoming Nintendo games until almost April. With no new console to be seen this time around, we should be focusing a lot on games. However, Nintendo can also talk about things like Super Mario Galaxy Moviewhich will be released in theaters in April. For now, however, players will have to wait for official confirmation of the first Nintendo Direct.
