A physical edition of Stardew Valley's Switch 2 upgrade is now available for preorder, eight months after its initial digital release. The new physical version is priced at $39.99 and is slated for release on February 5, 2026. Retailers including Fangamer, Target, and Best Buy are listing the game.
The Switch 2 edition includes the game's 1.6 update. Future free updates will be available for download as they are released. While some have speculated this release date might coincide with the upcoming 1.7 update, which is expected to introduce two new marriage candidates, this remains unconfirmed.
The physical release features revised box art, presenting a lighter, pastel color scheme of the original farm and animals, with an alternative "Joja-themed" cover. It also comes with an 18-page guidebook, similar to the one included with the existing Switch version. The original Stardew Valley was released on Steam in 2016, with its first physical release for Xbox One and PS4 following a year later. A physical edition for the original Switch, developed with Fangamer, was released in 2020.
This new Switch 2 edition appears to be a standard release. For those seeking the extra items from the original Deluxe edition, it is possible to purchase that separately for the original Switch and then obtain the Switch 2 upgrade pack for free through the Nintendo Store.
The physical Switch 2 edition introduces several enhancements, including mouse-style controls for Joy-Con 2, support for up to 8-player online multiplayer and 4-player local co-op, and a "GameShare" feature allowing up to three friends to play with a single copy of the game.
In a landscape increasingly dominated by digital sales, the commitment to physical media has become a notable aspect of game releases. While companies like PlayStation are shifting away from discs, Nintendo reports that nearly 40% of its game purchases are still physical. This physical edition of Stardew Valley is seen by some as a way to support the preservation of physical media, particularly for a game that has consistently received updates over its ten-year lifespan. Stardew Valley recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and received a perfect 10/10 score in a 2024 re-review. Developer ConcernedApe is also continuing work on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier.