Animal Crossing: New HorizonsNintendo
Free
Owners pay nothing
The Switch 1 version gets a free update on Switch 2.Also: the Switch 2 Edition pack, $4.99
Switch 1 copyPhysical
$59.99
BBBest BuyRide your Switch 1 games to Switch 2
190 Switch 1 games have a way onto Switch 2. 102104 ride free. 8381 need an upgrade pack, from $0.99 to $19.99, which costs less than buying the Switch 2 version. 5 stop at the end of the line.
| Line | Fare | Games | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free update | $0 | 33 | Nothing to buy. Keep the Switch 1 cartridge in, or the download, and it runs better on Switch 2. |
| Free pack | $0 | 6971 | A free upgrade on the eShop. Claim it once and the Switch 2 version is yours. |
| Upgrade pack | $0.99 to $19.99 | 8381 | Own the Switch 1 game? Buy the pack instead of the Switch 2 version. |
| End of the line | Buy again | 5 | No upgrade. The Switch 2 version is a new purchase, and for some, the save stays behind. |
Your Switch 1 shelf
Checking your shelf…
Cheaper as a Switch 1 copy plus the pack
Today’s US prices: where a Switch 1 copy and its upgrade pack cost less than the Switch 2 version. The Switch 2 copy is still there if you want the box.
- Sid Meier's Civilization VII
Switch 1 copy $19.99 at Best Buy + $9.99 pack = $29.98
vs Switch 2 copy $34.99 at Nintendo eShop
Saves $5.01
- Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster
Switch 1 copy $17.99 at Nintendo eShop + N/A pack = $17.99
vs Switch 2 copy $22.49 at Nintendo eShop
Saves $4.50
- It Takes Two
Switch 1 copy $37.99 at Best Buy + N/A pack = $37.99
vs Switch 2 copy $39.99 at Best Buy
Saves $2.00
Free update 33 games
Nothing to buy. Keep the Switch 1 cartridge in, or the download, and it runs better on Switch 2.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. BrainNintendo
Free
Owners pay nothing
The Switch 1 version gets a free update on Switch 2.
New Super Mario Bros U DeluxeNintendo
Free
Owners pay nothing
The Switch 1 version gets a free update on Switch 2.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2Nintendo
Free
Owners pay nothing
The Switch 1 version gets a free update on Switch 2.
27 more on this line. Every Switch 1 game with a free Switch 2 upgrade
Free pack 6971 games
A free upgrade on the eShop. Claim it once and the Switch 2 version is yours.
Stardew ValleyChucklefish
Free
Switch 2 version $14.99, yours free
The upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition is free. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Switch 1 copyPhysical
$34.99
BBBest Buy
Witcher 3: Wild HuntCD PROJEKT RED
Free
Switch 2 version $59.99, yours free
The upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition is free. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge isn't needed after the download.
Hollow KnightTeam Cherry
Free
Switch 2 version $15.00, yours free
The upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition is free. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Switch 1 copyPhysical
$34.99
BBBest Buy
No Man's SkyHello Games
Free
Switch 2 version $59.99, yours free
The upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition is free. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Hollow Knight: SilksongTeam Cherry
Free
Switch 2 version $19.99, yours free
The upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition is free. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
SubnauticaUnknown Worlds Entertainment
Free
Switch 2 version $7.49, yours free
The upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition is free. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
63 more on this line. Every Switch 1 game with a free Switch 2 upgrade
Upgrade pack 8381 games
Own the Switch 1 game? Buy the pack instead of the Switch 2 version.
Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal TrainerNintendo
$9.99
New Switch 2 copy $59.99, you save $50.00
The upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition is $9.99 on the US eShop. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Kirby and the Forgotten LandNintendo
$19.99
New Switch 2 copy $79.99, you save $60.00
The upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition is $19.99 on the US eShop. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Metroid Prime 4: BeyondNintendo
$9.99
New Switch 2 copy $69.99, you save $60.00
The upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition is $9.99 on the US eShop. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Switch 1 copyPhysical
$59.99
BBBest Buy
Pokemon Legends: Z-ANintendo
$9.99
New Switch 2 copy $69.99, you save $60.00
The upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition is $9.99 on the US eShop. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Super Mario Bros. WonderNintendo
$19.99
New Switch 2 copy $79.99, you save $60.00
The upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition is $19.99 on the US eShop. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
Switch 1 copyPhysical
$59.99
BBBest Buy
Super Mario Party JamboreeNintendo
$19.99
New Switch 2 copy $79.99, you save $60.00
The upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition is $19.99 on the US eShop. With a physical copy, the Switch 1 cartridge has to stay in the console.
77 more on this line. Every Switch 1 game with a paid Switch 2 pack
End of the line 5 games
No upgrade. The Switch 2 version is a new purchase, and for some, the save stays behind.
Octopath TravelerSquare Enix
Buy again
Switch 2 copy $59.99
It plays on Switch 2 as the Switch 1 game; there's no upgrade to the Switch 2 version.
Switch 2 copyKEY CARD
$59.99
BBBest Buy
Octopath Traveler 2Square Enix
Buy again
Switch 2 copy $59.99
It plays on Switch 2 as the Switch 1 game; there's no upgrade to the Switch 2 version.
Sonic X Shadow GenerationsSEGA
Buy again
Switch 2 copy $34.99
It plays on Switch 2 as the Switch 1 game; there's no upgrade to the Switch 2 version.
Switch 2 copyKEY CARD
$34.99-30%
BBBest Buy
DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™Square Enix
Buy again
Switch 2 copy $39.99
It plays on Switch 2 as the Switch 1 game; there's no upgrade to the Switch 2 version.
LEGO Harry Potter CollectionWB Games
Buy again
Switch 2 copy $49.99
It plays on Switch 2 as the Switch 1 game; there's no upgrade to the Switch 2 version.
Switch 2 copyKEY CARD
$49.99
BBBest BuySquare Enix
Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler 2 and DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ stop here: no upgrade.
It does upgrade others: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles rides free, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake rides free and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge Of The Seven has a $9.99 pack.
SEGA
Sonic X Shadow Generations stops here: no upgrade.
It does upgrade others: Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has a $10.00 pack.
WB Games
LEGO Harry Potter Collection stops here: no upgrade.
Questions owners ask
- Do I need to buy the Switch 2 version if I own the Switch 1 game?
- Not for 102 games: 33 get a free update and 69 a free upgrade to the Switch 2 version. 83 sell an upgrade pack ($0.99 to $19.99), which costs less than buying the Switch 2 version. 5 have no upgrade: the Switch 2 version is a new purchase.
- Does the Switch 1 cartridge have to stay in the console?
- For an upgrade pack, yes: the Switch 2 Edition checks for the Switch 1 cartridge each time you play, the same as the Switch 1 game does. Red Dead Redemption and Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed check it once, to claim the upgrade. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt runs without it after the claim.
- Which upgrades come with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: the upgrade packs are included with the membership. You need the Switch 1 game and an active membership.
As of Oct 26, 2026. Prices are US prices: deals at US stores and the US eShop. Upgrade facts come from Nintendo’s eShop (checked nightly), publishers’ notices and Nintendo’s list of free updates; each game’s page has its own. Box art: GameTDB, shown with their permission.
1ME isn't affiliated with Nintendo. Some links earn 1ME a commission, at no extra cost to you. Anything 1ME sells itself is clearly marked as ours.