The Best Kind of Surprise: Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Switch 2 Upgrade Pack Will Be Free

In a rare display of goodwill and consumer-friendly practices, Team Cherry, the developer behind the long-awaited and highly anticipated Metroidvania, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has confirmed that the game will feature a free upgrade for the new Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement came in a final pre-launch Kickstarter update, providing a long-awaited answer to a question that has been on the minds of fans and industry analysts alike. This is a significant piece of news, especially in an era where many major publishers are charging for what is often a simple performance patch, and it is a testament to Team Cherry’s commitment to its fans and the community.

The news, which was initially reported by outlets like Eurogamer and IGN, confirmed that for players who own a copy of the game on the original Nintendo Switch, an upgrade pack will be available for free on the Nintendo eShop. This upgrade will “unlock the platform’s enhanced features,” which are believed to be a higher resolution and a buttery-smooth 120Hz mode when docked to a compatible television. The fact that this upgrade is free is a huge win for consumers. It allows players who have invested in the new console to enjoy the game at its full potential without having to pay a premium. This is a stark contrast to other recent games, which have charged as much as $10 for a similar upgrade, a practice that has been widely criticized by the gaming community.

A Generous Price for a Monumental Game

The free upgrade is just one part of a larger, incredibly consumer-friendly launch strategy. Team Cherry has also officially confirmed the game’s surprisingly low price. Despite being one of the most anticipated indie titles of all time, the game will retail for a modest $19.99 in the U.S. and a similar price in other regions. This is a significant piece of news, especially in an industry where many AAA games are now pushing an $80 price tag. The fact that a game with the scale and ambition of Silksong is launching at a price point that is just slightly higher than its predecessor is a clear sign that Team Cherry is more concerned with getting the game into as many hands as possible than it is with maximizing its profits. This move, combined with the fact that the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one, makes Silksong one of the most accessible and affordable games of the year.

A Sign of a Healthy Industry

For fans who have been waiting for years for this game, the news is a welcome sign of relief. The free upgrade and the low price are a testament to Team Cherry’s vision and its commitment to the community that has supported it from the very beginning. The game’s release, which is slated for this week, will be a defining moment for the indie scene and a clear signal that, even in an age of corporate consolidation and microtransactions, there are still developers who are putting the player first. It’s an exciting time to be a gamer, and Team Cherry is leading the way in showing the industry how to launch a game the right way.