Square Enix has announced that both Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler 2 will receive dedicated versions for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, launching on October 1. However, the publisher has drawn criticism for its handling of these upgrades, opting not to offer a free or paid upgrade path for existing Nintendo Switch owners and confirming that save files will be incompatible between the two console generations.
The new Switch 2 versions will be priced at $59.99 individually, or $74.99 for a bundle. While this may represent value for new players, it offers little incentive for the series' existing fanbase, which has contributed to over 7 million copies sold across the franchise. According to Square Enix's announcement, the only technical improvements offered in the Switch 2 versions are a sharper resolution and a higher frame rate. Given the HD-2D art style, which combines pixel art with 3D environments, the games already possess a distinct visual appeal, making these technical enhancements appear minor.
The lack of significant new features or exclusive content further diminishes the appeal of repurchasing the games. This is compounded by the fact that the Switch 2 is expected to be backward-compatible and include a handheld boost mode, which should theoretically allow existing Switch copies to run and look better on the new hardware without additional purchases. The incompatibility of save data is a particular sticking point for RPGs like Octopath Traveler, which are known for their lengthy playtime and the investment players make in their progress.
This approach stands in contrast to Nintendo's own strategy for handling upgrades on its hardware. Nintendo has provided both free and paid upgrade options for a number of its first-party titles, such as Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Paid upgrades are typically reserved for games that introduce substantial new features and generally range from $5 to $19.99, a significantly more palatable cost for owners looking to experience improved versions of games they already own on new hardware. By failing to offer a comparable upgrade path, Square Enix risks alienating the very players most likely to be interested in these updated releases, potentially missing out on revenue from dedicated fans eager to revisit the series on the new platform.