Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: Overview
- Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games may or may not feature upgrades directly on the cartridge.
- Conflicting information from Nintendo’s customer support adds to the uncertainty.
- Packaging for Switch 2 Edition titles indicates they come with a “Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack.”
Nintendo is set to launch a series of enhanced titles known as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, targeting popular games from the original Switch library. However, it’s important to note that not all physical copies will necessarily embed these upgrades on the cartridge itself. While the Nintendo Switch 2 will host a range of exclusive titles, it remains backward compatible with the original Switch catalog, allowing for improved performance on select Switch 1 games.
During the recent Nintendo Direct event, the company spotlighted several Switch 1 games that will receive payable upgrades for the new console. Notable titles include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A—each set to have special Nintendo Switch 2 Edition launches. However, questions persist regarding their physical formats.
The cover art for these Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games states that they include both “the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack.”This wording has led many fans to believe that the Switch 2 Edition versions will comprise a Switch 1 cartridge accompanied by a download code for the Switch 2 enhancements. However, conflicting statements from Nintendo’s customer support have caused confusion. Initially, support indicated that the Switch 2 Edition will provide download codes, implying that the upgrades would not be available on the cartridges themselves. Conversely, other communications have suggested that all content would be included on the Switch 2 Edition cartridge. Updates will be provided as Nintendo clarifies the situation.
List of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – June 5
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – June 5
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – July 24
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land – August 28
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – TBA 2025
Typically, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will be priced at $69.99. However, for players who already own the Switch 1 versions, the upgrade costs will be significantly lower. For example, the Zelda Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs for both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be available for just $9.99. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers can access these Zelda upgrade packs without any additional fees, aside from their ongoing subscription costs.
Fans can anticipate various enhancements with the Switch 2 editions, including improved performance and graphics, as well as new game modes and features, particularly with titles such as Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. As the June 5 release date approaches, more information about the physical versions of these games and their functionality will likely emerge.