While first-party Switch 2 Edition games will not need additional downloads for the physical release, third-party games might.
While the Switch 2 Edition upgrades for select Nintendo Switch titles will be available digitally, Nintendo has now confirmed that the physical release of these Switch 2 Edition games will feature both the original Switch versions of the title as well as its Switch 2 upgrades on the game card.
In a statement to Vooks, Nintendo confirmed that Switch 2 owners that decide to pick up physical copies of games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition won’t have to worry about needing to download additional content over the Internet. Rather, everything will be included in the same game card.
It is worth noting that the lack of additional downloads for Switch 2 Edition games only applies to Nintendo’s first-party releases. The statement does indicate that it is up to third-party developers about whether or not they want to include download codes rather than game cards for the “physical” release of their titles.
“Physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will include the original Nintendo Switch game and its upgrade pack all on the same game card (i.e. they are exclusively Nintendo Switch 2 game cards, with no download code),” said Nintendo in its statement. “Alternatively, some publishers may release Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games as download codes in physical packaging, with no game card.”
Nintendo announced its Switch 2 Edition program during its Direct earlier this month that was dedicated to the upcoming console. Through the upgrade, games originally made for the Nintendo Switch will run on the upcoming console with several improvements, both in terms of visuals as well as additional content.
Quite a few titles will be getting Switch 2 Edition upgrades, including Super Mario Party Jamboree with the Jamboree TV pack, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom both getting Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
Of these, both The Legend of Zelda titles will have their upgrades available on June 5, alongside the Switch 2’s launch. Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World will be coming on August 28, while Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV will be available on July 24.
Upcoming games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 will also have Switch 2 Edition releases that will perform generally better in terms of visuals and frame rates than the original Switch.
It is worth noting that, if you already own these titles on the original Switch, you can simply purchase an upgrade pack through the Nintendo eShop to get access to the Switch 2 Edition upgrades. While there will be performance improvements through the upgrade, Nintendo has stated that all Switch games will see some benefit from running on the more advanced hardware in the Switch 2. This includes improved frame rates and stability overall. Depending on what you might want from an older title, buying a Switch 2 Edition upgrade might end up feeling unnecessary if you don’t care for the additional content.
