Nintendo released system update 21.0.0 on November 10, 2025, and buried among the typical stability improvements is a feature Switch owners have requested since 2017: visual indicators showing whether games are physical or digital. Those tiny icons above software on the home menu solve a frustration that’s plagued collectors and digital hoarders for nearly a decade. But that’s just the start. This update brings major quality-of-life improvements to both original Switch and Switch 2, with the newer console getting exclusive features like low-latency audio mode and the ability to cancel multiple downloads simultaneously.
For Switch 2 specifically, this represents the console’s biggest update since the June 2025 launch that brought Virtual Game Cards and system transfers. Nintendo clearly listened to early adopter feedback about missing features and annoyances that made the upgraded hardware feel unfinished. Now, five months post-launch, the Switch 2 finally feels like it has the software polish to match its impressive hardware capabilities.
Physical vs Digital Icons Finally Exist
This applies to both original Switch and Switch 2, making it the most visible change for the largest number of users. Small symbols now appear above software icons on the home menu indicating whether each game is physical (cartridge-based) or digital. For people with large game libraries mixing physical collector’s editions and digital convenience purchases, this simple visual distinction eliminates constant confusion about which games need cartridges versus which live entirely on your SD card.
The implementation is subtle but effective. Physical games get one icon, digital games get another, and now you know at a glance whether you need to hunt for a cartridge or can just boot directly. It’s the kind of basic quality-of-life feature that should have existed from the beginning, but better late than never after eight years of Switch owners manually remembering which games are which.
Reddit users immediately noticed and appreciated this addition. One commenter described it as one of several thoughtful enhancements they’d wanted since getting the Switch 2. The feature doesn’t fundamentally change anything about how the console works, but it removes friction from daily use, which is exactly what good UX design accomplishes.
Low Latency Audio Mode Transforms Pro Controller
This Switch 2 exclusive addresses a major complaint about wireless audio. When plugging headphones into the Pro Controller’s audio jack, users experienced noticeable latency between on-screen actions and corresponding sounds. For fast-paced games requiring precise timing, this lag made the feature essentially unusable despite being a premium controller costing $70.
Update 21.0.0 adds a low latency audio mode specifically for Pro Controller headphone output. According to Reddit user reports who tested it immediately after updating, the improvement is dramatic. One player who previously found Pro Controller audio nearly unusable due to latency now describes it as feeling perfectly fine. They played Mario Kart World for 15 minutes with low latency mode enabled without experiencing any audio dropouts despite warnings that the mode might cause connection issues.
This matters because Pro Controller audio lets you play Switch 2 while docked without disturbing others or requiring separate gaming headsets. The original implementation failed so badly that many players gave up on the feature entirely. Now it actually works as intended, making the Pro Controller a viable option for private audio during docked gameplay.
Cancel All Downloads Is Here
Another Switch 2 exclusive, and honestly, it’s embarrassing this wasn’t included at launch. The ability to cancel multiple downloads simultaneously is basic download management functionality that every digital storefront implemented decades ago. Yet Switch 2 launched without it, forcing users to individually cancel downloads one at a time if they queued too many games.
Update 21.0.0 finally adds this feature through a simple interface option. Select multiple downloads and cancel them all at once rather than tediously clicking through each individual title. For anyone who purchased a Switch 2 bundle with multiple included games or got excited during an eShop sale and downloaded too many titles on limited internet bandwidth, this removes a major frustration.
The fact that Reddit commenters specifically mentioned the absence of cancel all downloads in their complaints about early Switch 2 software shows how noticeable the omission was. Basic features missing from premium hardware create the impression of unfinished products rushed to market. Nintendo addressing this complaint within five months demonstrates responsiveness to user feedback, but it raises questions about why obvious functionality wasn’t included from day one.
GameChat Improvements Make It Actually Usable
Switch 2’s built-in GameChat received several quality-of-life upgrades addressing practical annoyances that made the feature frustrating. First, games no longer automatically go to sleep if you’re still chatting. This fixes the bizarre situation where voice communication would disconnect you from gameplay, defeating the entire purpose of integrated voice chat.
Second, GameChat now maintains connections when switching between docked and handheld modes or between wireless and wired network connections. Previously, these transitions would drop your chat session, forcing you to reconnect and interrupting conversations. The seamless transition means you can undock your Switch 2 mid-conversation without losing your party chat, or plug in ethernet for better stability without everyone getting kicked.
These improvements transform GameChat from a half-baked feature with frustrating limitations into something genuinely useful for online multiplayer. The original implementation felt rushed and poorly tested, with basic use cases like docking your console breaking core functionality. Update 21.0.0 addresses the most obvious pain points, though whether GameChat rivals Discord or platform-specific party chat systems remains questionable.
Virtual Game Card Quality of Life
For users confused about what Virtual Game Cards even are, they’re Nintendo’s system for turning physical cartridges into digital downloads. Insert a cartridge you own, and the console can download a digital version letting you play without the physical media. It’s Nintendo’s version of disc-to-digital conversion, implemented through the eShop.
Update 21.0.0 adds the ability to download Virtual Game Card data even if you’ve disabled the Use Online License setting. This creates flexibility for users who want offline access to games without requiring constant license verification, while still benefiting from digital convenience. The option appears in Virtual Game Card menus accessed through the home screen.
Additionally, console bundles that include software downloads now display an icon to receive the software automatically rather than requiring manual code entry. This streamlines setup for new Switch 2 owners who bought bundles like the Mario Kart World edition. Instead of digging through packaging for download codes and manually redeeming them, the console prompts you to claim included software during initial setup.
System Transfer Flexibility
When transferring from original Switch to Switch 2, users can now disable two specific options: automatic software redownload on Switch 2 and album data transfer. This addresses complaints from users who performed system transfers and found their new Switch 2 automatically downloading their entire 300-game library, consuming SD card space and bandwidth for titles they had no intention of playing.
Similarly, album data containing thousands of screenshots and video clips can represent gigabytes of storage. Not everyone wants that transferred, especially if they’ve already backed up important captures elsewhere. Giving users granular control over what transfers improves the migration experience significantly.
Minor But Appreciated Changes
Several smaller adjustments round out the update. The battery saving option that stops charging around 90 percent has been renamed to more accurately reflect its behavior as stopping charging around 80-90 percent. This eliminates confusion from users who noticed their battery never quite reached 90 percent and wondered if the feature was broken.
VR mode received the ability to adjust volume from Quick Settings rather than requiring navigation through full system menus. For the admittedly small number of Switch 2 users engaging with VR content through third-party accessories, this improves usability during immersive experiences where exiting to system menus breaks presence.
Save Data Cloud Backup information that appears when launching certain software has been updated with clearer messaging. The Platinum Point Notification Settings option was renamed to Nintendo Switch Online Notification Settings for clarity. These are minor text changes that most users won’t notice, but they demonstrate attention to detail in making system language more accurate and understandable.
The Typical Stability Line
As always, Nintendo includes the classic line: General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience. This vague catchall covers bug fixes, performance optimizations, security patches, and various under-the-hood improvements that don’t warrant specific mention but collectively improve how the system operates.
Players love joking about Nintendo’s stability improvements because they appear in nearly every update with no elaboration. But these background optimizations matter. Menu responsiveness, game loading times, network connectivity stability, and countless other factors benefit from ongoing refinement even if users can’t point to specific improvements they notice.
FAQs
When was Nintendo Switch system update 21.0.0 released?
System update 21.0.0 was released on November 10, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles. It will download automatically the next time you connect your console online.
What are the main new features in update 21.0.0?
Key features include icons distinguishing physical and digital games on the home menu, low latency audio mode for Switch 2 Pro Controllers, the ability to cancel multiple downloads simultaneously on Switch 2, and GameChat improvements preventing auto-sleep during voice chat.
Does update 21.0.0 apply to original Switch?
Yes, both original Switch (including Lite and OLED models) and Switch 2 receive version 21.0.0, though some features like low latency audio mode and cancel all downloads are exclusive to Switch 2.
How do I get the update?
The update downloads automatically when your Switch or Switch 2 connects to the internet. You can also manually check for updates through System Settings in the System section.
What are Virtual Game Cards?
Virtual Game Cards let you convert physical cartridge games into digital downloads on your console. Insert a cartridge you own and download a digital version for playing without the physical media.
Does the low latency audio mode cause connection issues?
Nintendo warns that low latency mode may cause more frequent audio dropouts, but early user reports indicate the feature works well without noticeable problems during regular gameplay.
Can I transfer from Switch to Switch 2 with this update?
Yes, the system transfer functionality existed before this update, but 21.0.0 adds options to disable automatic software redownload and album data transfer for more control over what migrates.
Conclusion
System update 21.0.0 represents the kind of polish Nintendo should have delivered at Switch 2’s June 2025 launch. Features like distinguishing physical and digital games, canceling multiple downloads, and low latency audio are basic quality-of-life improvements that premium hardware should include from day one. The fact that these features arrived five months post-launch shows Nintendo was either rushed to meet the June release window or genuinely didn’t consider these functionalities important until user feedback proved otherwise.
That said, credit where credit is due: Nintendo listened to feedback and delivered meaningful improvements relatively quickly. Companies often ignore feature requests or take years to implement obvious fixes. Five months from launch to a major quality-of-life update demonstrates responsiveness that many publishers lack.
For Switch 2 owners, update 21.0.0 finally makes the console feel complete. The low latency audio mode transforms Pro Controller headphone output from unusable to viable. Cancel all downloads eliminates a frustrating limitation. GameChat improvements make voice communication actually work as intended. Combined with the physical/digital icons benefiting all Switch owners, this update meaningfully improves the daily experience of using Nintendo’s hardware.
The update also highlights how far Nintendo has come with post-launch support. The original Switch received consistent updates throughout its lifecycle, adding features, improving stability, and addressing user complaints. Switch 2 is following that pattern, suggesting Nintendo views system software as an ongoing service rather than a finished product shipped at launch.
For anyone who held off on Switch 2 because early software felt half-baked, update 21.0.0 addresses most major complaints about missing features and poor implementation. The console is now in a state where it should have launched, which ironically makes it a better time to buy than during the initial June release window. Sometimes patience pays off, and early adopters basically beta tested the software for everyone else.
Download update 21.0.0 now if your console hasn’t grabbed it automatically. Then enjoy finally knowing which games need cartridges and which don’t without constantly second-guessing your library organization. It only took eight years, but Nintendo finally fixed it.