Nintendo’s new 22.0.0 firmware update for the Switch 2 added a new Handheld Mode Boost feature for the backwards compatible Switch games as part of its multiple features. However, it is not turned on by default on the console. We must enable it after the update, and Nintendo warned that opting into it may change how some games work.The Handheld Mode Boost on the Switch 2 would force the original Switch games to run in TV mode on the new console, even if you are in handheld mode. As a result, the frame rate and resolution would be higher than if it were played in Handheld mode or Tabletop mode on the Switch or Switch 2. The patch notes for this feature did note touchscreen support for games might not be supported when it is turned on, the Joy-Con 2s will be treated as though they are a single Pro Controller, and battery life may be negatively affected. Nintendo did note how to enable Handheld Mode Boost for Switch games on the Switch 2 as well. Before heading into a game, someone would need to go into the System Settings and choose to adjust the System options. After grabbing 22.0.0, there will be a new Nintendo Switch Software Handling section that allows us to toggle Handheld Mode Boost on or off. This is one of multiple new additions in 22.0.0, including ones that notify people when Parental Controls are turned off, Airplane Mode adjustments, GameChat game screen and invitation adjustments, and Friend List note options. Here are the full, official patch notes from Nintendo for this update:Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.The following features were added to support GameChat:Added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms you’re participating in. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts.Friends that haven't finished GameChat initial setup can now be invited to GameChat. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts or those who haven’t used a Nintendo Switch 2.It may take a while for this change to be reflected after updating your console to system version 22.0.0.Improvements were made to the quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat when expanded.Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.Added the option to add the following data to “Automatic Uploads” from Album.Clip Video, Video saved as a screenshot, and screenshot with added text.Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to “GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text” languages in Accessibility.Text-to-Speech, under Accessibility, can now read the text in Album and during first-time setup.Please see Nintendo Switch 2 First-Time Setup and Connection for instructions on how to turn text-to-speech on in the first-time setup.Added the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for the system memory and microSD Express card.Added the ability to perform an audio test when “Linear PCM 5.1 Surround” is selected for TV Sound in Audio.Changed the "Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea" region to "Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/South East Asia" in Device.Added “Handheld Mode Boost” to Nintendo Switch Software Handling in System.Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected. Please see the on-device description for more details.The following features were added to Airplane Mode:When Airplane Mode is activated, the previously set preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC while in Airplane Mode will be saved and applied.Added the ability to individually enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC during Airplane Mode from the Quick Settings.Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.Nintendo Switch 2 firmware 22.0.0 is live now. The post You Need to Enable Switch 2 Handheld Mode Boost for Switch Games appeared first on Siliconera.