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To upgrade a Nintendo Switch game, get that game’s specific Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack from Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store, then install any update available for the original game. You must own the original game, and the edition’s added features work only on Nintendo Switch 2. Only select games have upgrade packs, so check the individual game listing before buying.
What a Switch 2 Edition upgrade includes
A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition combines the original Switch game with an add-on upgrade pack. The pack is digital and specific to a game; what it adds—such as visual or performance improvements, features, or modes—varies by title. Nintendo describes the upgrade as an add-on, so you do not need to buy a second copy of the base game if you already own it physically or digitally.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Fox™ - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Not every Switch game has a Switch 2 Edition. A free software update is not automatically an upgrade pack, and a game that works on Switch 2 may not have a separate edition upgrade. Check the exact game’s Nintendo listing for the pack, its features, price, release date, and any membership eligibility. Nintendo says, “Select Nintendo Switch games can be upgraded to a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with a paid upgrade.” Nintendo’s US transfer guide describes the option as applying to select games.
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How to get and install the upgrade pack
- Check the game’s listing. Confirm that the exact title has a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack, and review what it adds, its price and release date, and whether an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership includes it.
- Confirm you own the original Switch game. The upgrade pack does not replace the base game. You can own the original physically or digitally.
- Find the pack. On Nintendo Switch 2, locate the game-specific pack in Nintendo eShop, or use Nintendo Store. Participating retailers may also sell digital codes; make sure a code is for the exact game’s upgrade pack, not the base game or another add-on.
- Purchase or download it. Buy the pack if it is sold separately. If Nintendo lists it as included with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, look for it in eShop’s Nintendo Switch Online section and download it.
- Update the original game. Install any available software update for the Switch game as well as the upgrade pack. Nintendo Support says, “An update to the Nintendo Switch version of the software, in addition to the upgrade pack, is required to access the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game.”
For example, Nintendo Support lists the The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack at $9.99 USD and says it is included at no additional cost for active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. That price and membership offer are specific to this game; check the listing for any other title and your region.
#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
How ownership and membership affect access
The pack is an add-on, but the way it is accessed can depend on how you obtained it. Nintendo’s support instructions for Tears of the Kingdom say that a separately purchased upgrade pack is treated as a virtual game card. The Switch version of the game must also be available on the Switch 2, either as a physical game card or a virtual game card.
For that same game, an upgrade pack downloaded as an Expansion Pack membership benefit is not treated as a virtual game card, and only active Expansion Pack members can play that Switch 2 Edition. These specific access terms are documented for Tears of the Kingdom; check the support information for another game rather than assuming its rules are identical. Membership inclusion is title-specific, not a general benefit for every upgrade pack.
Rank #2
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
Why Switch 2 Edition features may not appear
If the game launches but its new features are missing, check each of these items:
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Console and game updates: Make sure the console is up to date and install any available update for the original Switch game. The upgrade pack alone may not be enough.
- Pack access: If you bought the pack separately, confirm its virtual game card is loaded on the Switch 2 you are using.
- Membership status: If you downloaded the pack through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, verify that the membership is active and that the title is covered.
- Release timing: If you preordered the pack, check whether its release date has arrived; preorder availability does not necessarily mean the pack is playable yet.
- Correct title and pack: Confirm that you obtained the upgrade pack for the exact game and that the game you opened is the original title it upgrades.
Nintendo Support’s troubleshooting guidance covers console and game updates, virtual game card loading, membership downloads, and unreleased preorders. If those checks do not resolve the problem, use the support page for the affected game: Unable to access new features or content after purchasing or downloading an upgrade pack.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Rank #3
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
What to check before paying
- The listing is for the Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack for your exact game.
- You already own, or intend to obtain, the original Switch game.
- The listed features and release date match what you want.
- The price is for your region, and the pack is not already included through an eligible active membership.
- You understand how the pack is accessed, including any virtual game card or membership conditions listed for that title.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
