Nintendo has issued another system update for the Switch just days ahead of the launch of the Switch 2.
According to the brief patch notes, Nintendo Switch System Update Ver. 20.1.0 only makes a few changes, one of which is that old chestnut: “general system stability.”
More importantly, the firmware updates makes visual changes to the parental control settings, and the sound that plays when Nintendo Switch Online is launched from the Home Menu has been changed.
The new sound is, to my ears at least, a little more upbeat, and no-doubt what Nintendo Switch 2 owners can expect to hear when they boot NSO from that console’s Home Menu. X / Twitter user @Nexusvoyager showcased the before and after sound in the post, below:
Before and after the update pic.twitter.com/HC71TFztS9
— The Ashen Nexus. (@Nexusvoyager) May 28, 2025
According to @Nexusvoyager, there are some new navigation sounds and the NSO app has changed its user interface, again, likely to match the experience on offer on Switch 2. In fact, this Switch firmware update looks like it brings the entire Nintendo Switch Online app on Switch in-line with the app that will be included on the Switch 2.
After a relaunch the app completely changed its ui pic.twitter.com/h07hoSOOOt
— The Ashen Nexus. (@Nexusvoyager) May 28, 2025
High-profile Switch system watcher @OatmealDome found that 20.1.0. made some theme-related changes, renaming “Basic White” and “Basic Black” to “Basic Light” and “Basic Dark,” and added support for the Basic Dark theme in the NSO app.
[Nintendo Switch Firmware Update]
Some theme-related changes were made in 20.1.0.
• The “Basic White” and “Basic Black” themes were renamed to “Basic Light” and “Basic Dark”.
• The Nintendo Switch Online applet now supports the Basic Dark theme. pic.twitter.com/BoeR4YbBD4— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) May 28, 2025
It’s worth noting that if you’re performing a system transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication, the Nintendo Switch console will need to be updated to this latest system version to perform the transfer.
All this comes ahead of the launch of Switch 2 on June 5, which is fast approaching. Overnight, IGN reported on one person who appeared to obtain a Switch 2 console early, despite Nintendo’s best efforts. But unfortunately for leak-enjoyers, not only is it unusable without a day-one patch, but the video was copyright struck almost immediately.
So far, we’ve played Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2, and more recently we’ve gotten all sorts of new bits of info like free performance upgrades for Switch 1 games, variable refresh rate support stipulations, and more details about GameChat, which will require your phone number for verification in order to work. Though pre-orders flew off the digital shelves when they dropped last month, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser reassures that Nintendo will have enough systems to meet demand through the holidays.
Nintendo Switch System Update Ver. 20.1.0 (Released May 27, 2025)
- Visual updates have been made to the Parental Control settings.
- The sound that plays when Nintendo Switch Online is launched from the HOME Menu has been changed.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
