(Image credit: Nintendo)
A selection of classic Nintendo Switch games is set to receive “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” upgrades, boasting improved graphics and gameplay enhancements. These versions will hit store shelves in physical formats. Yet, this development has stirred questions among Nintendo collectors: are these updated games coming on integrated Switch 2 cartridges, or merely original Switch 1 games bundled with digital upgrade codes?
On each piece of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition box art revealed, a multilingual statement notes that the package “includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack.” Additionally, a QR code is present, linking to a support page that remains inactive.
This information has sparked diverse interpretations, with enthusiasts on platforms like Switch Game Collectors subreddit engaging in spirited debates. Personally, I interpret this as a sign of repackaged Switch 1 cartridges paired with digital codes, posing a distinct challenge for collectors. At least it might spare us the need to re-purchase Switch 1 cartridges already in our possession.
We have reached out to Nintendo for clarification and will provide updates as more information surfaces.
For many, the allure of owning physical games lies in having a tangible version preserved on their shelves, free from the potential pitfalls of digital downloads. This concern grows as we’ve witnessed Nintendo’s inconsistency with maintaining digital services. If, for instance, the Metroid Prime 4 package only includes a Switch 1 cart alongside a digital code, it signifies the absence of a true physical Switch 2 edition, unless a future reissue occurs.
Upcoming Switch 2 Edition titles, besides Metroid, include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land, each featuring similar notices on their packaging. Notably excluded is the upgraded version of Pokemon Legends Z-A, as its box art remains undisclosed by Nintendo.
Amid apparent price differences for physical versus digital games in certain areas, this may represent challenging times for collectors. Stay updated on the latest Nintendo Switch 2 releases.