Apparently, the zero in Octopath Traveler 0's title stands for zero upgrades, because Square Enix has confirmed that there will be no way to upgrade from a Switch version of the recently announced RPG to a Switch 2 version.
In a follow up to the game's announcement on Bluesky, the publisher clarified that the physical and digital versions of Octopath Traveler 0 on the Switch 2 could only be played by the newest system. Pretty standard, right? It then, however, went on to state that it also wouldn't be supporting upgrades between versions and that players will just have to buy whichever version of the game they want separately.
The full post from Square Enix reads, "It is not possible to upgrade from the Switch version to the Switch 2 version once purchased. There are also no plans for an option to upgrade to the Switch 2 version in the future. Please make sure you purchase the correct version."
The news is disappointing, but hardly surprising from Square Enix, which has been making waves for this practice of late. Just earlier this year, it also got into hot water over a similar move with the physical versions of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. What makes both of these situations even weirder is that it is obviously not Square Enix's standard position on the matter: the upcoming remake of Final Fantasy Tactics does support upgrades between the Switch and Switch 2 and it's even free. Numerous other developers have provided free or paid upgrades for Switch 2 versions, which makes Square Enix's stance even more curious.
To the further disappointment of many, the Switch 2 version of Octopath Traveler 0 will be made available on a Game-Key card according to the game's box art. Instead of traditional Switch cartridges, which contain all the game's files already, these substitutes instead allow players to download the game, and the shift to these Game-Key cards has been a sore spot for preservationists and enthusiasts seeking out fully intact physical versions of the games they're buying.
Now, prospective players and fans are once again being made to pick between a technically inferior version of Octopath Traveler 0 on the Switch, where it will at least come on a cartridge, or a souped-up Switch 2 version that they can only really own digitally. It sounds like they aren't really happy with either option according to the replies on Square's Bluesky post.
Octopath Traveler 0 launches on the Switch and Switch 2, as well as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, on December 4, 2025.
Source
In a follow up to the game's announcement on Bluesky, the publisher clarified that the physical and digital versions of Octopath Traveler 0 on the Switch 2 could only be played by the newest system. Pretty standard, right? It then, however, went on to state that it also wouldn't be supporting upgrades between versions and that players will just have to buy whichever version of the game they want separately.
The full post from Square Enix reads, "It is not possible to upgrade from the Switch version to the Switch 2 version once purchased. There are also no plans for an option to upgrade to the Switch 2 version in the future. Please make sure you purchase the correct version."
The news is disappointing, but hardly surprising from Square Enix, which has been making waves for this practice of late. Just earlier this year, it also got into hot water over a similar move with the physical versions of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. What makes both of these situations even weirder is that it is obviously not Square Enix's standard position on the matter: the upcoming remake of Final Fantasy Tactics does support upgrades between the Switch and Switch 2 and it's even free. Numerous other developers have provided free or paid upgrades for Switch 2 versions, which makes Square Enix's stance even more curious.
To the further disappointment of many, the Switch 2 version of Octopath Traveler 0 will be made available on a Game-Key card according to the game's box art. Instead of traditional Switch cartridges, which contain all the game's files already, these substitutes instead allow players to download the game, and the shift to these Game-Key cards has been a sore spot for preservationists and enthusiasts seeking out fully intact physical versions of the games they're buying.
Now, prospective players and fans are once again being made to pick between a technically inferior version of Octopath Traveler 0 on the Switch, where it will at least come on a cartridge, or a souped-up Switch 2 version that they can only really own digitally. It sounds like they aren't really happy with either option according to the replies on Square's Bluesky post.
Octopath Traveler 0 launches on the Switch and Switch 2, as well as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, on December 4, 2025.
Source