Three days ago, Nintendo delivered a new Switch 2 system update (v22.0.0) that introduced a major new feature called Handheld Mode Boost. This allows Switch 2 users to run Switch 1 games in handheld mode as if they were in docked mode, thereby significantly improving visuals thanks to the higher-resolution target. However, according to user estimates posted on Reddit, enabling Handheld Mode boost reduces battery life by around 25%. While playing DOOM (2019), the battery lasted 3 hours and 43 minutes, down from 5 hours and 5 minutes.
To be fair, Nintendo did warn this could likely happen. The official feature overview said:
- If this option is enabled, Nintendo Switch software being played in handheld or tabletop mode will run with similar performance to the same software being played in TV mode. This may result in improved visuals, but may also increase the console's power consumption during gameplay.
- The precise results of this option will vary based on the software being played. Note that performance will not be boosted for Nintendo Switch 2 software. This option forces the console to behave as if it's running in TV mode while images are being output to the screen. This may affect instructions and other functionality in some software.
- While software performance is being boosted by this option, the console's touch screen functionality will be disabled. Additionally, if the Joy-Con 2 controllers are attached to the console, they will be treated as a Pro Controller. You'll need to detach the Joy-Con 2 controllers from the console before you can connect any other controllers.
It will ultimately be up to each user to decide whether to enable Handheld Mode Boost on a case-by-case, and often session-by-session, basis. Still, having more options is always great, so Nintendo definitely added value to the Switch 2 with this new feature.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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