Nintendo has rolled out another system update for the Switch shortly before the anticipated launch of the Switch 2. The brief patch notes for Nintendo Switch System Update Ver. 20.1.0 indicate several minor adjustments, with one recurring improvement being "general system stability," a common feature in firmware updates.
One of the more noticeable changes involves visual tweaks to the parental control settings. Additionally, the sound that plays when launching Nintendo Switch Online from the Home Menu has been updated. To my ear, the new sound feels slightly more upbeat, and it’s likely what Switch 2 owners will hear when accessing NSO from their console’s Home Menu. X / Twitter user @Nexusvoyager shared a comparison of the before-and-after audio in a recent post:
Before and after the update pic.twitter.com/HC71TFztS9
— The Ashen Nexus. (@Nexusvoyager) May 28, 2025
@Nexusvoyager noted that the update introduces new navigation sounds, and the user interface of the NSO app has been revamped again, aligning it more closely with the experience offered on the Switch 2. In fact, this firmware update seems to bring the entire Nintendo Switch Online app on the Switch in line with the version that will ship with 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 observer @OatmealDome discovered that 20.1.0 also includes theme-related modifications, renaming "Basic White" and "Basic Black" to "Basic Light" and "Basic Dark," respectively, and adding support for the Basic Dark theme within 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 important to note that if you plan to transfer data from a Nintendo Switch to a Switch 2 via local communication, your current Switch must be updated to this latest system version to complete the transfer process.
All these updates arrive ahead of the Switch 2 launch on June 5, which is rapidly approaching. Overnight, IGN reported on a potential early leaker who managed to obtain a Switch 2 console, despite Nintendo's efforts to prevent leaks. However, the leaked footage was both unusable without a day-one patch and quickly copyright-striken.
So far, we’ve played Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2, and more recently, we’ve learned about various new features such as free performance upgrades for Switch 1 games, variable refresh rate support requirements, and additional details about GameChat, which will require your phone number for verification. Although pre-orders disappeared from digital shelves when they went live last month, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser reassured everyone that Nintendo will have sufficient stock to meet demand throughout the holidays.Nintendo Switch System Update Ver. 20.1.0 (Released May 27, 2025)
Visual updates have been implemented in the Parental Control settings. The sound that plays upon launching Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu has been altered. General system stability enhancements have been introduced to improve the user experience.
