What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
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 required update to 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, and what each pack adds varies by title.
Check whether your game has an upgrade pack
Nintendo offers Switch 2 Edition upgrade packs for select games, not every Switch title. Open the game’s Nintendo listing and check whether a pack is available. Review its features, price, release date, and any Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership eligibility before purchasing. Nintendo says that content varies by game, and a title that is compatible with Switch 2 does not necessarily have a Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. Nintendo’s US transfer guide distinguishes paid upgrades for select games from free updates.
| # | 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 |
How to get the upgrade
- Own the original game. You need the Switch version, either physical or digital. Nintendo describes the Switch 2 Edition as the original game bundled with its upgrade pack; buying another copy of the base game is not the upgrade route.
- Find the pack for the exact game. On Switch 2, open Nintendo eShop and search for the game’s Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. You can also use Nintendo Store. Participating retailers may sell digital codes, so verify that a code is for the specific game’s upgrade pack, not the full game or a different edition. Nintendo’s upgrade-pack support page describes these options.
- Purchase or download it. Buy the pack, or, if the listing includes it with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, find it in the eShop’s Nintendo Switch Online section and download it.
- Install available game updates. Update the original Switch game and the console if updates are available. The pack and game update may both be required to access the edition’s features.
What the upgrade costs—and what membership may cover
There is no single price for all upgrade packs. Each game has its own listing and terms, and availability, price, and membership coverage can vary by title and region.
For example, Nintendo Support lists the The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack at $9.99 USD when purchased separately and says it is included at no additional cost for active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. That is a title-specific US example, not a general price for other games. Check the individual game’s listing for current terms. Nintendo Support’s Tears of the Kingdom page explains that example.
#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 access works for the Tears of the Kingdom example
Nintendo’s access rules for Tears of the Kingdom illustrate why it is worth checking the game-specific support page. If you buy that upgrade pack separately, Nintendo treats it as a virtual game card. The Switch version of the game must also be on the Switch 2, either as a physical game card or as a virtual game card.
If you download that pack as an Expansion Pack membership benefit, Nintendo says only active members can play the Switch 2 Edition, and the membership download is not treated as a virtual game card. Nintendo documents these conditions for this game; check the relevant page for another title’s terms.
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, work through Nintendo’s checks:
- Update the Switch 2 console and install any available update for the original Switch game.
- Confirm the upgrade pack has been downloaded and is available on the console in use.
- For a separately purchased pack, check that its virtual game card is loaded on that console.
- For a pack downloaded through Expansion Pack membership, confirm that the membership is still active.
- If you preordered the pack, check its release date; preorder access may not begin until then.
Nintendo Support notes that an update to the Switch version of a game may be needed in addition to its upgrade pack. Its troubleshooting page covers these checks.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRank #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
Upgrade pack, free update, or Switch 2 compatibility?
These are different things. A Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack is a game-specific add-on to the Switch game. A free software update may add or adjust features but is not automatically an upgrade pack. And a Switch game can be compatible with Switch 2 without having a Switch 2 Edition. Check the individual game’s Nintendo listing to see which applies and what content is included.
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.
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.
