Square Enix will release Octopath Traveler and its sequel on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 1, but the collection will not include an upgrade path for players who own the games on the original Switch. This means that those who have invested time in the lengthy RPGs will not be able to transfer their save data or receive any form of discount on the new version, requiring them to start from scratch.
The decision has drawn criticism online, with some players labeling it an anti-consumer move. The absence of an upgrade option prevents players from purchasing a cheaper, used copy of the original games and then upgrading, or from cheaply upgrading their existing digital or physical copies. This is not the first time Square Enix has faced backlash for omitting upgrade paths for its HD-2D titles; previous releases like Octopath Traveler 2 and physical versions of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake similarly forced players to choose between last-gen and current-gen versions without a transfer option.
For new players or those willing to repurchase the collection, the Switch 2 version of Octopath Traveler promises some technical improvements. The package will be available in both digital and physical formats, featuring enhanced frame rates and resolutions on the new console, alongside the established HD-2D art style that has helped the games retain their visual appeal.