How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade a Nintendo Switch Game for Switch 2? It's More Complicated Than You'd Think

How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade a Nintendo Switch Game for Switch 2? It's More Complicated Than You'd Think | PCMag

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How much does a video game cost? That used to be a simple question. When the Nintendo Switch first launched in 2017, full-priced games were $60. Easy. Then, PlayStation and Xbox first-party releases jumped to $70 in 2020. Nintendo followed suit in 2023 with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. But now, with the Nintendo Switch 2, the situation is even more complicated. Mario Kart World is $80. Donkey Kong Bananza is $70. Yet Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is just $40. Now, physical games will cost more than digital. Not only can the Switch 2 play Switch 1 games I already own, but many titles can get performance upgrades—and even additional DLC—via an Upgrade Pack. Some are paid, many are free, and the prices vary significantly. Here's what you need to know before handing over your credit card.The 3 Types of Switch 2 GamesBefore I talk about how much the upgrades cost, I need to explain the three (yes, three) different kinds of games you can play on the Switch 2. You May Also Like

Switch 2 games: These are native Switch 2 games made exclusively for the console. They feature the Switch 2 logo and are designed to take advantage of the latest hardware. This includes Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as third-party releases like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition.Switch 2 Edition games: These are Switch games that have performance and visual upgrades over their Switch 1 counterparts. The physical versions of these titles will have the Switch game and Upgrade Pack on the same cartridge. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are Switch 2 Edition games, and are labeled accordingly. Switch 1 games: Finally, there are just Switch 1 games, since (most of) these can be played on the Switch 2. This means you can play Breath of the Wild or Metroid Dread for free if you already own those games. They won't have the significant upgrades that come with the Upgrade Packs but should gain some small benefits simply by running on more powerful hardware.So, How Much Does Nintendo Charge for an Upgrade Pack?Instead of having to buy new games to get upgraded versions of the titles you already own, Nintendo allows you to upgrade your Switch games into native Switch 2 games, turning them into Switch 2 Edition games. However, the cost of that upgrade varies widely, depending on how much new content is included.$20: Upgrade Packs that include DLC-sized additions for the Switch 2 cost $20. This includes Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which add new gameplay features and content to the base game. The Switch 2 Edition versions of these games cost $80, so it's the $60 base game + $20 DLC. Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TVKirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed WorldSuper Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park$10: Then there are games with smaller updates that cost $10 for performance and visual upgrades, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom also have Switch 2 Editions, but they're also included as part of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack for free. A new copy of BOTW for Switch 2 costs $70 and TOTK costs $80, so the math adds up.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomMetroid Prime 4: BeyondPokémon Legends: Z-A$5: Nintendo introduced a $5 upgrade path for the Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons to coincide with the game's free version 3.0 update. This upgrade adds enhanced visuals, GameChat functionality, and mouse controls. Xenoblade Chronicles X is another $5 upgrade, but it just includes performance improvements. Interestingly, both games are getting new physical editions, so is this the one common thread? Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive EditionFree: Finally, some games have received free upgrades from Nintendo, including Arms, Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Bowser's Fury, and more. These updates mainly focus on visual upgrades, though some gain frame rate bumps, HDR, and even GameChat support.ArmsBig Brain Academy: Brain vs. BrainCaptain Toad: Treasure TrackerClubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide ClassicsDonkey Kong Country Returns HDGame Builder GarageThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomThe Legend of Zelda: Link's AwakeningNew Super Mario Bros. U DeluxePokémon Scarlet and VioletSplatoon 3Super Mario: 3D World + Bowser's FurySuper Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2Super Mario OdysseyHow Much Are Third-Party Games?It's not just Nintendo games that have unlockable updates for the Switch 2; all developers have the option of offering an upgrade path to players. Many of these updates come with graphic and performance improvements, but some may add additional content. However, how much this costs will depend on the game and the publisher. For instance, games in Hamster's Arcade Archives line cost $2.99 to upgrade. Meanwhile, Marvelous has multiple games at the $10 price point. However, many developers have opted not to charge for the Switch 2 Edition of their game. This means if you own the Switch version of the game, the upgrade pack is available to you as a free download. Recommended by Our Editors Buying Physical? Watch Out For the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards Before You Spring for More Gear, Here’s Which Original Switch Accessories Work With the Switch 2 I'm a Nintendo Expert and a Certified TV Calibrator. Here's What's Really Wrong With the Switch 2's Screen

4PGP - $5Asphalt Legends - FreeA-Train: All Aboard! Tourism - $7Ball X Pit - FreeBang! Bang! Bandits - $3Beyblade X Evobattle - $10Blood: Refreshed Supply - FreeBraid: Anniversary Edition - $3Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged - $5Brotato - FreeCard-en-Ciel - $10Cast n Chill - FreeChippy&Noppo - $2.40Core Keeper - FreeCozy Grove - FreeDark Auction - $1Dave the Diver - FreeDeltarune - FreeDemon Castle Story - $4Dinkum - FreeDisney Dreamlight Valley - FreeDispatch - FreeDivinity: Original Sin II - FreeDragon Quest III HD-2D Remake - FreeDream Town Island - $4Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - $20 for Anniversary EditionElder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition - FreeThe Exit 8 - $1Factorio - FreeFantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - $2.59Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles - FreeFitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer - $10The Fox's Way Home - $3Fruit Mountain Party - $1.88Hades II - FreeHello Kitty Island Adventure - $10High on Life - FreeHogwarts Legacy - $10Hollow Knight - FreeHollow Knight: Silksong - FreeHuman Fall Flat - $5Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road - $2.59Isekai Rondo - $1Kingdom's Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient MonsterKuukiyomi 4: Consider It - $5Little Rocket Lab - FreeLollipop Chainsaw RePop - $5Lorelei and the Laser Eyes - FreeLynked: Banner of the Spark - FreeMina the Hollower - FreeMinishoot' Adventures - FreeNicktoons & The Dice of Destiny - FreeNo Man's Sky - FreeNovel Rogue - $1One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 - FreeOvercooked 2! - $10Overrogue - $1Planet of Lana II - FreeThe Prince of Tennis Doki Doki Survival - $5The Prince of Tennis Sweet School Festival - $5Pritto Prisoner - $1Psyvariar 3 - FreeRed Dead Redemption - FreeRomancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven - $10The Rumble Fish 2 - $5Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - $10Sail Forth - FreeSayonara Wild Hearts - FreeShadow Labyrinth - FreeShuten Order - $2.49Sid Meier's Civilization VII - $10Simogo Legacy CollectionSkyship Quest Story - $4Sonic Racing: Crossworlds - $10Stardew Valley - FreeStorm Lancers - FreeStory of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - $10Subnautica - FreeSubnautica: Below Zero - FreeSuper Bomberman Collection - $5System Shock Remake - FreeTales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game - FreeTamagotchi Plaza - $10Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate - $2.49Tomb Raider I-III Remastered - FreeTouhou Yukkuri Mountain - $1.50Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter - $1The Touryst - $6Unrailed 2: Back on Track - FreeNot All Games Have Upgrade PathsKeep in mind that not all games will offer upgrade paths, so be care