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. 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. Here’s what you need to know before handing over your credit card.
The 3 Types of Switch 2 Games
Before 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.
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 will be 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 an Upgrade Pack Cost?
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, and basically turn 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. At launch, this includes Super Mario Party Jamboree, which adds camera, mouse, and microphone functionality, as well as other content, to the base game. Kirby and the Forgotten Land, meanwhile, adds new story content and gameplay. The Switch 2 Edition versions of these games cost $80, so it’s the $60 base game + $20 DLC.
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$10: Then there are games with smaller updates that simply receive performance and visual upgrades. For instance, it only costs $10 to upgrade Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom to the Switch 2 Edition. A new copy of BOTW for Switch 2 costs $70 and TOTK costs $80, so the math adds up. However, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers get these two for free.
Free: Finally, some games will receive 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.
In its September Direct, Nintendo also announced Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park that adds multiplayer modes to the base game. Given the similarities to other similar upgrade packs, it’s likely to be priced at $20 when it goes on sale in spring 2026.
What About 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. However, how much this costs will depend on the game. Right now, only a few have been confirmed, but there will likely be more:
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Not All Games Have Upgrade Paths
Keep in mind that not all games will offer upgrade paths, so be careful before buying a game on Switch that you plan to upgrade down the road on Switch 2. You’ll need to re-buy these games to get them on the new console:
Other games may also receive free patches that allow them to take advantage of the new hardware without the need for a true upgrade path.
About Our Expert
Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
Experience
As PCMag’s editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.
My job as how-to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun, so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo ThinkPad running Windows 11, but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 and Apple silicon MacBook. I also have a Google Pixel 6a for personal use and use a Galaxy Z Flip 4 for additional Samsung-related testing. For iOS coverage, an iPhone 13 mini works like a charm, though it’s already becoming a little long in the tooth.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!). I’m a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I’m probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well.
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