Square Enix unveiled Octopath Traveler 0 at this week’s Nintendo Direct and it all looks very exciting. However, a piece of unfortunate news has just surfaced. If you’re planning on getting this game on either of the Switch systems, listen up.
While Octopath Traveler 0 will be playable on both the Switch 1 and Switch 2, do note that if you buy the Switch 1 version of the game, you will not be able to upgrade it to the Switch 2 version if you want to play it on the newer console in the future. In addition to that, Square Enix went on to state that there are no plans to include an upgrade option for Switch 1 players.
This is a bizarre stance, to say the least. Plenty of Switch 1 games have gotten an upgrade option since the release of the Switch 2. This includes Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, Fantasy Life i, Hogwarts Legacy… I could go on. Typically, if a game has Switch 2 support, you’d be able to pay a small fee if you own the Switch 1 version to get it upgraded and enjoy all the new console benefits such as improved graphics and framerate. That will not be the case for Octopath Traveler 0. If you buy the Switch 1 version and want to play it on Switch 2 eventually, you’ll need to pay full price again for the Switch 2 version.
There are other annoying things to consider, including the fact that the Switch 2 physical version of the game will only include a Game Key Card. As much as I love the Switch 2, this is the one thing that drives me nuts. Certain games are Game Key Card-only, which means that even if you buy the physical edition and insert the game cartridge into your console, you still need to download the game onto your internal storage or microSD express card. It completely defeats the purpose of a physical edition, takes away the convenience of buying a game digitally, and it also means you can’t just buy a used copy of Octopath Traveler 0 on the Switch 2 in the future if you want an upgrade.
The game won’t be out till December so there’s plenty of time for Square Enix to change their stance on this, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. For now, just make sure you’re purchasing the right version of the game. In the meantime, we’ve put together a full list of everything you need to know about the game, including its new features.
Octopath Traveler 0 is set to release for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 1, Switch 2, and PC on Dec. 4.
