Nintendo charging $115 for Switch 2 Editions of some older games

During its Nintendo Switch 2 blowout earlier this month, Nintendo confirmed that a handful of original Switch games would receive specially upgraded versions on the new console. Now, we know how much those will cost you.

As part of today’s Switch 2 pre-orders frenzy, we learned from multiple retailers that the “Nintendo Switch 2 Editions” of some Switch games will be priced at a whopping $115 in Canada. That’s a staggering price in and of itself, and it’s even worse when you consider that it’s $5 more than the already steep $110 Nintendo is asking for Mario Kart World, a brand-new Switch 2 game.

Here are the prices of several Switch 2 Edition games so far:

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World — $114.99
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — $99.99
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — $114.99
• Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV — $114.99

Note that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A are also confirmed to get Switch 2 Editions, but pricing for these has yet to be revealed as they’re releasing further out this year.

In any case, most standard Switch games are priced at $79.99, with the cost of Tears of the Kingdom increasing to $89.99. Therefore, you’re paying $20 to $25 extra for at least the four Switch 2 Editions we listed.

The benefits of each Edition also vary beyond generally improved resolution, frame rates and/or load times. For instance, Kirby and the Forgotten Land on Switch 2 at least includes a new expansion, Star-Crossed World, while Mario Party Jamboree adds new minigames that take advantage of both of cameras (be it the proprietary Switch 2 camera or your own) and new Switch 2 hardware features like the Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality.

However, the only new content for the two Zelda games is “Zelda Notes” compatibility with the Nintendo Switch app, which includes features like a GPS system to find Korok Seeds, a photo-editing mode and Autobuild schematics that can be shared online (Tears of the Kingdom only).

Already own one of those Switch titles? You can pay to upgrade it.

Ultimately, these Switch 2 Editions are undeniably pricey. It should be noted, however, that there are a few ways to get them for cheaper. First and foremost, if you already own their original Switch versions, you can buy an “Upgrade Pack” digitally or at participating retailers. The price tag for these vary, per the Canadian eShop:

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World — $29.99
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — $14.99
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — $14.99
• Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV — $29.99

So basically, you save a little bit of money ($5) if you, say, buy Mario Party on the Switch for $80 then upgrade for $30 ($110 total) vs. buying the Switch 2 version outright ($115).

(It’s worth noting that the prices to upgrade to similar “next-gen” versions of games on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have ranged wildly. Ghost of Tsushima‘s PS5 version, for instance, added an expansion, among other new content, and costs $26.99, while a more minor iteration, like The Last of Us Part II Remastered, is $15.)

Beyond the Switch 2 Upgrade Packs, Nintendo is also offering the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom at no additional cost with its $63.99/year Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, which includes NES, SNES, N64, GBA and, soon, GameCube games. Unfortunately, though, there’s no such offer for the Kirby and Mario Party Switch 2 Editions.

All in all, the Switch 2 is going to be one expensive investment, whether you’re playing older games or new ones like Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bananza ($99.99). That’s to say nothing, of course, of the fact that the Switch 2 itself costs $629.99. (We also have a full list of pricing for other accessories.) There’s also the fact that Nintendo games historically rarely drop in price — and if they do, it’s not by more than $20 or $25, even years out.

We really enjoyed our time with the console and its games, but we also recognize the much higher cost of entry this time around. Are you going to bite the bullet (Bill) on these Switch 2 Editions? Let us know in the comments.

The Switch 2 launches on June 5.

Image credit: Nintendo

Update: 25/04/2025 at 10:10 a.m. ET — Updated with official Canadian pricing for Upgrade Packs.