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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →There is no single price for a Nintendo Switch 2 game upgrade. In the United States, Nintendo lists the The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom upgrade pack at $9.99, while some packs are available at no additional cost to eligible Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, and others—such as Subnautica’s—are listed as free. In each case, you may still need to own the original Nintendo Switch game.
What a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade includes
Nintendo describes a Switch 2 Edition as a bundle of the original Nintendo Switch game and an upgrade pack. The pack can add or improve features such as visuals, performance, or game modes; its contents vary by title. Nintendo Support explains that the pack enhances the original software to take advantage of Switch 2 capabilities (Nintendo’s Switch 2 enhanced-games guide; Nintendo Support’s upgrade instructions).
| # | 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 |
The upgrade does not mean the original game stops working on the first Nintendo Switch. However, Switch 2-specific features and content require a Nintendo Switch 2 system.
How much do the upgrades cost?
These official examples show why it is best to check the page for the exact game rather than assume every upgrade costs the same. Prices below are US examples and can differ by region or change over time.
#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
| Game and upgrade | Upgrade cost or access | Original game required? | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | $9.99 in the United States when purchased through Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store | Yes | Active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access the pack at no additional cost. Membership access is tied to active membership and is not treated as a virtual game card. (Nintendo Support) |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Available at no additional cost to active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members | Yes | The upgrade includes performance and visual improvements and the Zelda Notes service. (Nintendo’s product page) |
| Subnautica | Free upgrade pack | Yes | Nintendo’s US store listing says to own Subnautica for Nintendo Switch. Improvements include resolution, frame rate, and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. (Nintendo’s product page) |
Nintendo’s US welcome-center catalog also lists both Zelda upgrade packs at $9.99. That is another title-specific listing, not a universal pricing rule for Switch 2 upgrades (Nintendo Switch 2 Beginners Guide).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “free” or “included” means
Free pack
A free pack has no separate upgrade charge on its official listing, but it can still require you to own the original game. Nintendo’s Subnautica listing is one example: the upgrade pack is free, while ownership of the Nintendo Switch version is required.
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
Included with a membership
Some upgrade packs are available at no additional cost to active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members who own the corresponding original game. This is a membership entitlement, not the same as buying the upgrade outright. For Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo says access through the membership is limited to active members and is not treated as a virtual game card. Check the title’s terms before relying on membership access.
Paid upgrade
If you do not have an applicable membership benefit, a title may offer the pack as a one-time purchase. Nintendo lists the Tears of the Kingdom pack for $9.99 in the United States. That price applies to this named example, not every game.
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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
How to get an upgrade pack
- Check the game’s official regional listing. Confirm whether the pack is paid, free, or available through a qualifying membership, and read its ownership requirements.
- Confirm you own the original Nintendo Switch game. Nintendo says owners of a physical or digital copy can upgrade, but the corresponding original title is required for the examples above.
- Choose an available purchase or access route. Nintendo says packs may be obtained through Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Store, or retailers selling Nintendo games; retailers may offer digital download codes.
- Use a Nintendo Switch 2 to access the enhanced features. The original game remains playable on Nintendo Switch, but Switch 2 Edition enhancements and content require Switch 2.
What to check before paying
- Total cost: distinguish a one-time pack purchase from access included with an active membership or a free pack.
- Base-game ownership: a free or membership-included upgrade does not necessarily include the original game.
- Membership status: verify whether the benefit requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership and what happens if that membership ends.
- Upgrade contents: compare the title-specific improvements; performance, visuals, features, and modes are not identical across games.
- System compatibility: Switch 2-specific additions require Switch 2, even if the base game can still be played on the original console.
- Region and current listing: Nintendo prices and entitlements can vary by region and may change, so check the official page for your country before buying.
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.
