Square Enix Once Again Skips Switch 2 Upgrade Path For Octopath Traveler Collection
Square Enix has announced that both Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler 2 will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 1, 2026, with Japanese releases already available. The titles will feature improved visuals and performance compared to their original Switch versions.
However, the announcement comes with a significant caveat: there will be no upgrade path—free or paid—for players who already own the games on the original Switch. Additionally, save files from the original Switch versions will be incompatible with the Switch 2 editions, meaning players would need to start from scratch. Individual games will cost $59.99 or $74.99 as a digital bundle, with physical copies also available.
The decision has drawn criticism from gaming media. Given that both Octopath Traveler titles are lengthy RPGs with substantial optional content, and their timeless HD-2D art style remains visually appealing, existing players may opt to continue on their original hardware rather than repurchase. Critics have characterized Square Enix’s approach as poor business practice—returning players would pay full price to replay the same game without any progression carryover, eliminating any compelling reason to upgrade.