New Switch firmware adds Mario avatars for celebration that essentially expires in March

Oh, and there's a better way to get screenshots from your Switch now

So a new Switch firmware update is out, and it's not just "stability!" Like, there are actual features!

Version 11.0.0 adds a few new things to the mix, including auto upload of save data to the cloud, a Switch online app, a "trending games your friends are playing" feature on the user page, a new way to transfer screenshots, download prioritization (finally!), button mapping changes, and 12 more icons (more on that later).

The easier, non-social-media-or-sd-card screenshot transfer is probably the biggest addition. But in Nintendo's natural way, it's not as simple as, say, Xbox or PlayStation make it with their apps. With this process, you need to scan a QR code on your Switch and then scan it again to create a URL that allows you to use the image download. Obtuse, but it works: I just tried it to capture the header image above. You can also transfer them directly to your PC via USB.

Nintendo has also added some Mario 35th Anniversary Avatars...which...are a bit late given that on March 31, 2022, much of what they celebrate will be gone.

Ver. 11.0.0 [Nintendo]

Worm. 11.0.0 (released November 30, 2022)

Nintendo Switch Online has been added to the HOME menu.

• Access all Nintendo Switch Online services, from getting the latest information to checking your subscription status.
  * This feature is not available in some countries/regions.

A new feature that automatically uploads saved save data has been added to Save Data Cloud.

• When using software with the same Nintendo Account linked to multiple systems, save data saved from one console will be automatically downloaded to your other systems.
  *To use this feature, it must be enabled under System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud.
  * Save data will not be downloaded automatically unless save data for this software exists on the console. First time only, users need to download save data manually.
  * A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use the Save Data Cloud service.

A new trending feature has been added to the user page.

• Users can check what software their friends are playing or have started playing recently.
  Information will not be displayed for friends whose online status is set to not show to anyone.

Users can now transfer screenshots and videos from Album to their smart devices.

• Users can wirelessly connect their smart devices to the Nintendo Switch to upload saved screenshots and videos to their album.
• For screenshots, users can upload a maximum of 10 screenshots and 1 video capture at a time.
  * To connect, users must use their smart device to scan the QR code displayed on the Nintendo Switch screen.
  For more information, please visit the Nintendo Support website.
  * “QR Code” is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.

A new feature for copying to a computer via USB connection has been added under System Settings > Data Management > Manage Screenshots and Videos.

• Users can use a USB cable to connect Nintendo Switch to their computer to copy screenshots and videos saved under Album.
  * A USB charging cable [model HAC-010] or USB-IF certified USB cable supporting data transfer is required to connect to a computer.
  For more information, please visit the Nintendo Support website.
  * Connection via Nintendo Switch docking station is not supported. Please connect the Nintendo Switch console to the computer directly.

Users can now select which download to prioritize when there are multiple downloads in progress.

• When there are multiple software, update data or downloadable content downloads in progress, users can now select which one they want to download first.
• You can set this under Download Options by selecting the icon of the software you want to download first from the HOME menu.

User icons have been added.

• 12 user icons commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. series. have been added.

Users can now name predefined button mappings with the Edit Button Mapping feature.

Brazilian Portuguese has been added as a supported language.

• When users set their region to Americas and their language to Portuguese, the language used in the HOME menu and some software will be displayed as Brazilian Portuguese.

Several issues have been fixed, and usability and stability have been improved.

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