First update of the year for the Switch 2, this new firmware doesn’t revolutionize anything… except perhaps your gaming experience. Since January 12, 2026, Nintendo’s hybrid console has benefited from a discreet but important improvement: its stability. And this concerns both the Switch 2 and the original version. “General system stability improvements to optimize user experience.”
Here is the only official note from Nintendo published on its support page to summarize this 21.2.0 update. Little information, certainly, but a strong signal of continuity for users.
An update for two generations of Switch
Deployed simultaneously on the original Switch and Switch 2this firmware version 21.2.0 shows that Nintendo maintains a unified support strategy. For those who do not see the update appear automatically, it can be installed manually from the system settings in the HOME menu. Even if it does not bring any visible new features, this update aims to strengthen the software foundations of the Switch ecosystem. Nintendo is thus starting the year by focusing on reliability, which seems to reassure part of its community.
Why are these “stable” updates useful?
The notes are laconic, but their potential effect is very real. A stability update can:
- Reduce random crashes or freezes,
- Better manage the compatibility of certain games with the Switch 2,
- Improve background system performance,
- Fix discrete undocumented bugs.
On specialized forums, several players have reported better fluidity in certain menus or when waking up the console, even if Nintendo says nothing about it publicly.
A patch that is part of the Nintendo strategy
Since the release of the Switch 2 in June 2025, Nintendo has regularly rolled out new versions of the system. Each patch comes solidify the boneprepare the ground for future features, or ensure compatibility of older games. And this month, that’s not the only change: an update to the GameCube library and Nintendo Music has also been released. “If further information regarding this update, such as compatibility improvements, comes to light, we will notify you.” The promise is made by the official website. While waiting for more visible developments, players can at least count on a system… that is always more stable.
How to update your console
To apply this update manually:
- Open them System Settings from the HOME menu.
- Go to the tab Console.
- Select System updateand the console will do the rest.