With the Nintendo Switch 2 dominating gaming headlines, more and more titles are being announced for the upcoming platform, including Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and a new Donkey Kong game. However, one particular announcement has everyone wondering: What’s the deal with the Nintendo Switch 2’s paid upgrades?
It seems Nintendo has taken inspiration from PlayStation’s upgrade model, where PlayStation 4 games can be upgraded to their PlayStation 5 versions—featuring improved visuals and performance—for a small fee.
Dubbed the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, this paid Upgrade Pack allows players to experience select Switch 1 titles such as Kirby: The Forgotten Land, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo Switch 2 for an additional cost. That means if you already own these titles, you can opt for an upgrade. But no, it’s not free.
The good news? As an incentive for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, they can upgrade their Switch 1 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom at no extra cost. Additionally, not all games come with an extra fee for an upgrade, Nintendo recently released a list of Nintendo Switch 1 titles that can be upgraded for free 'to improve playability' for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Meanwhile, other titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, will be playable on both the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. However, to experience higher fidelity—such as 4K at 60 FPS, HDR, and even mouse control support—you’ll need to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade if you own a base Nintendo Switch 1 copy.
This is also the case for Game Freak’s upcoming Pokémon Z-A: while playable on the base Switch, players looking for a more visually enhanced experience will need to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Edition.
There’s no word on how much the upgrade fee will cost. The Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of these games will also be available separately in both physical and digital formats.
At $449.99, the Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be Nintendo’s most expensive console yet. Additionally, titles like Mario Kart World, which is expected to retail for around $80, could set a new pricing standard for Nintendo games.
For more details on Nintendo Switch 2 availability, check out the link here.