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Nintendo Switch 2 has finally received VRR for use in docked mode and when connected to a TV. Variable refresh rate is intended to deliver smoother visuals, reduce screen tearing, and lower input lag during gameplay. The feature was previously available on the console's own screen, and Nintendo had announced it would later be introduced in TV mode as well. VRR arrives with the Switch 2 system update to version 23.0.0. However, there's one problem: it is currently officially supported by only one game.
Switch 2 Gets VRR in TV Mode
Nintendo has begun rolling out system update 23.0.0 for the Switch 2, adding long-awaited VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support when the console is connected to a TV via the dock. VRR allows the screen's refresh rate to synchronize with the frame rate generated by the game, resulting in smoother visuals—especially when the frame rate fluctuates. The feature also helps minimize judder and can reduce input lag. While Nintendo previously offered VRR for the Switch 2 in handheld mode, it was missing during big-screen play; the company had promised to add TV support at a later date, and this update fulfills that promise. However, simply updating the console isn't enough to enable VRR. Nintendo also requires a dock firmware update, which can be performed via the system settings by selecting "System" followed by "Update Dock." Additionally, the TV must support VRR over HDMI 2.1. Nintendo explains that when both the software and the TV support VRR, the image is displayed at a refresh rate that matches the game's rendering output. In practice, this allows the console to better align its performance with the capabilities of modern gaming TVs. However, the mere presence of VRR in the system does not guarantee it will work in every game.
For now, VRR works in only one game
The biggest limitation of the new feature is currently the very small number of games that support it. Officially, VRR runs on the Switch 2 only in Nintendo's Welcome Tour app. That means the system update alone isn't enough to automatically enable VRR in every title available on the console. Apparently individual games have to receive appropriate updates from their developers. One user also noted that VRR may work unofficially in Star Wars Outlaws, but that is not currently full support confirmed by Nintendo. The situation could change, however, once developers start updating their games. Update 23.0.0 was released in Japan and is expected to roll out globally soon. The Nintendo Switch 2 supports up to 120 fps at 1080p or 1440p. The console does not offer 4K output in TV mode, which further limits the use of VRR compared with the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. This is due to HDMI limitations in the Switch 2. As a result, the new feature is a step in the right direction, but for now its practical significance for most games remains limited. If Nintendo and third-party developers start widely adding VRR to their titles, the feature could noticeably improve the gaming experience on TVs.
Nintendo Switch 2 received VRR in docked mode with system update 23.0.0. A compatible TV with HDMI 2.1 VRR and an updated dock are required. The problem is that official support is currently limited to the Welcome Tour, and individual games will likely need their own updates. The Switch 2 can output up to 120 fps at 1080p or 1440p, but the lack of 4K support means VRR will still be more limited than on competing consoles.
source: flatpanelshd
