Nintendo Switch update 18.0.0 has been rolled out by Nintendo and here’s what this new firmware version does officially and unofficially.
Although this new system software update is supposed to be a major one, Nintendo’s official release notes are quite minimal. Like almost all Nintendo firmware updates, the notes make mention of improved system stability. In addition, this system update adds a 15-minute option for the auto-sleep function when using the Switch in docked mode. Also, this update adds Korean for the “Nintendo Switch Parental Controls” introductory video.
As always with these new system updates, there are also under-the-hood changes that haven’t been mentioned in the official notes. As posted by Switch miner ‘OatMealDome’ on X, this new firmware version updates the “bad words” list in the Switch, blocking all input with the word starting with a certain male body part. In addition, Switch Update 18.0.0 packs updates for basically all system components. On X, ‘OatMealDome’ writes that this system update might be more important to developers than it appears to be for players. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that these changes are related to the rumored upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 model.
And no, “changes that matter for developers” doesn’t necessarily mean Switch 2.
Could just be something simple like “Nintendo changed the name of this function, so now developers need to update their code accordingly if they want to upgrade to the newer SDK”.
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) March 26, 2024
This update should download automatically to your system if this option has been enabled in the Switch system settings. If not, you can also download it manually via the system update option.
The Nintendo Switch is available worldwide now. As covered last month, Nintendo has managed to sell close to 140 million units since the platform’s launch back in 2017. Although Nintendo has yet to officially confirm its existence, rumors suggest that a Switch successor will be released in early 2025. The Switch 2 as we call it for now is said to offer docked performance comparable to the PlayStation 4 Pro. Also, battery life and handheld image quality are reportedly better than that of Valve’s Steam Deck.
