UPDATE 4/10: Nintendo has confirmed that physical versions of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games come with the full game on the cartridge, including the Switch 2-specific upgrade content.
Original story follows.
Nintendo is releasing a line of enhancedNintendo Switch 2 Editionversions of popular Switch 1 games, but their physical copies may not necessarily include the upgrades on the cartridge. While theNintendo Switch 2will have access to all kinds of exclusive games, it will also be backward compatible with the original Switch. In fact, some Switch 1 games will even be enhanced on the Switch 2.
The latest Nintendo Direct event highlighted some of the Switch 1 games that are getting paid upgrades on the Switch 2. Nintendo specifically highlightedThe 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, andPokemon Legends: Z-Aas games that are getting special Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases. However, there are still some lingering questions about theNintendo Switch 2 Edition games, specifically when it comes to their physical releases.
Text on the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition cover art states that the boxes include “the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack.” Fans have interpreted this as meaning that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will come with a Switch 1 cartridge with a download code to access the Switch 2 upgrades. However, there have been conflicting statements by Nintendo’s customer support. In one instance, customer support stated that theSwitch 2 Edition games will indeed include download codes, meaning that the Switch 2 upgrades are not on the cartridges themselves. In another instance,Nintendo customer support said the opposite, stating that all the content will come on the Switch 2 Edition cartridge. We will update this article if Nintendo provides clarification on the matter.
Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games List
Some of the upgrades fans can look forward to on the Switch 2 include improved performance, improved visuals, and in some cases, brand-new game modes and features, as is the case withSuper Mario Party Jamboree’s Switch 2 Editionas well asKirby and the Forgotten Land. More information on Switch 2 Edition games, including exactly how their physical versions function, should come to light as we get closer to the console’s June 5 release date.
