Just in time to celebrate the series' eighth anniversary, Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 is officially coming to Switch 2, but those who own the original Switch version apparently won't be getting an upgrade to the current-gen console. Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 are some of the most beloved RPGs of the last decade, and being able to play them on Switch 2 is something many fans have been waiting for. However, Square Enix and Nintendo are missing a huge opportunity by not giving the original Switch copies an upgrade.
Instead, those who already own the first two Octopath Traveler games on the original Switch console have to buy them again. It's a wild move on Square Enix's part, and it could ultimately hold the series back from flourishing on the Switch 2. Ever since the console launched last year, Nintendo has allowed users to upgrade to the Switch 2 version for a small fee, which makes this decision even more puzzling.
Octopath Travel 1 and 2 Skipping the Switch 2 upgrade path is doing fans a disservice
That's not the only controversial decision that has been made with this Switch 2 release. A player's Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 saves also won't be transferable to the Switch 2, adding fuel to the fire. There have been plenty of Switch games with Switch 2 upgrades, and Square Enix has even had several of their games upgraded this way:
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – Free
- Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven – $9.99
- Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake – Free
If Square Enix is willing to offer upgrades for these games, then it only makes sense for these items in the game Octopath Traveler series to receive the same treatment. Of course, Octopath Traveler is a fresher IP than the aforementioned trio, so that might have something to do with it. However, that doesn't mean it's the right move by Square Enix.
Guess the games from the emojis.
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Guess the games from the emojis.
Light (120s) Medium (90s) Hard (60s)
Octopath Traveler is one of the many great games made by Square Enix, and allowing players to upgrade for a fraction of the asking price is simply a more consumer-friendly approach. If the fans want to play first and second Octopath Traveler games on their Switch 2, they'll have to shell out an eye-watering $59.99 separately, or the games can be purchased as a digital bundle for $74.99. Even as an avid physical media collector, it would be hard for me to turn down the digital bundle, simply because of the massive discount it comes with.
The latest post in the series, Octopath Traveler 0which was released last year with two separate versions for the original Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, which also weakens any chance of an upgrade with transferable save data.
Gaming feels increasingly expensive for many longtime fans, and a Octopath Traveler The Switch 2 upgrade would have made the announcement that much more exciting. While it's cheaper than some Switch 2 game prices, $60 feels outrageous when it could easily have been made into a $5 or $10 upgrade.
Nintendo's Switch 2 upgrade system has made it much easier to reach the Switch 2
Moving from an old console to a new one can be daunting. Of course, there are plenty of games that are backwards compatible, even with the original Switch list. However, the Switch 2 upgrades improve the overall quality of the game's older version. It's a great way to bridge the gap between the latest and current versions. In many cases, a large portion of these Switch 2 upgrades are even free, which is even better.
A look at some of the most notable Switch 2 upgrades and prices
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons – $4.99
- Dave the diver – Free
- Dispatch – Free
- Hades 2 – Free
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure – $9.99
- High on life – Free
- Hollow Knight and Hollow Knight: Silk Song – Free
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land – $19.99
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – $9.99
- No Man's Sky – Free
- Pokemon Legends: ZA – $9.99
- Red Dead Redemption – Free
- Sonic Racing: Crossworlds – $9.99
- Stardew Valley – Free
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder – $19.99
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The tears of the kingdom – $9.99 each
Many of the more expensive upgrades are first-party Nintendo games that are exclusive to the brand, which makes sense. But even Square Enix has one of the more expensive options under its umbrella at $10 Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven upgrade. So it's not like Square Enix would have to go the free route. The company could still have made a substantial amount of money if Octopath Traveler upgrades had been similarly priced. Even $20 would have felt like a bargain compared to the option Square Enix went with.
Original Switch users might be better off sticking with their older Octopath Traveler copies
It might be tempting to buy the Switch 2 version of Octopath Traveler to play it on the brand new console. But if one's original Switch works well, sticking with playing that version might be the best move. Of course, it's a personal decision at the end of the day, but refraining from buying a new Switch 2 version could also be a good way to send a message to Square Enix.
There are tons of special Square Enix games out there. Franchising as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts have been some of the biggest series to come from the developer, while games like Chrono Trigger have been incredibly influential on the entire genre. Octopath Traveler is a reminder that Square Enix still has it when it comes to creating great RPGs with compelling stories. It's no surprise that the company would want to get as many sales as possible from two games that are so great, but allowing fans who already owned those games to upgrade at a cheaper price would have been a small, but effective, way to show appreciation for the eighth anniversary.
- Released
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13 July 2018
- ESRB
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T for Teens: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Publisher
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Nintendo
