Nintendo hid a function in its most recent Switch update to shorten load times

Nintendo released system update version 8.0.0 for the Switch a few weeks ago, adding a number of new capabilities to the device, including the capacity to move saved data across Switch consoles. At the time, it seemed to be the update’s main feature, but in the days since it was released, some devoted sleuths have uncovered a crucial enhancement that wasn’t really included in the changelog.

Those who examined the current update’s code claim that Nintendo covertly allowed the Switch’s CPU to be overclocked to 1.75 GHz in specific circumstances, enabling what they refer to as “boost mode.” Since then, it has been discovered that this new functionality shortens load times on two of the most popular Switch games.

Brawl345—a user on the GBATemp forums—asserts that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s 1.6.0 update and the new boost mode has reduced load times.
Fast travel time decreased from 19 to 11 seconds, save file loading time decreased from 31 to 21 seconds, and shrine entry time decreased from 10 to 7 seconds.
The identical method appears to have been applied to Super Mario Odyssey, which was recently upgraded to version 1.3.0, though Brawl345 didn’t provide any information on how much faster the game loaded following the change.

We will have to rely on devoted Switch owners who are eager to test their games with every software update until Nintendo makes an official declaration regarding the so-called boost mode…

In light of this, we have high hopes that Nintendo will soon recognize the functionality and reveal which titles will benefit from boost mode in the months to come. After all, faster load speeds always have everyone on board.