"Just another free update": 'No Man's Sky' launches free Switch 2 upgrade— unlike 'Zelda' and 'Kirby'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
No Man's Sky developer Hello Games is kicking off the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 with some fantastic news for gamers, and Nintendo should be paying attention.
Thursday, June 5, is the big day Switch fans have been waiting for, when the Switch 2 finally launches. Several top Switch games, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, will have "upgrade packs" available at launch that unlock Switch 2 editions of current Switch 2 titles — for a price.
No Man's Sky is doing things a little differently — the Switch 2 version of the game will be free.
Hello Games's latest move with the Switch version of No Man's Sky is great news for current Switch 1 players, but it might make gamers dread Nintendo's paid Switch 2 Edition upgrades even more.
See also: Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order restocks
When it launched in 2016, No Man's Sky had a rough start, but it has come a long way since then through consistent, free major updates.
The latest of those updates is arguably the best one yet.
Hello Games CEO Sean Murray announced in a video on the developer's YouTube channel this week that the next update for No Man's Sky, "Beacon," will add "Nintendo Switch 2 support at launch."
"From day one, new players are benefiting from nine years of updates, just tons of huge additions. We've been working on this for over a year. I'm super proud of what the team has achieved.
"Our Switch 2 Edition is just another free update for existing players," Murray stated, after enthusiastically diving into the slew of new features and improvements in the Switch 2 Edition.
This update to No Man's Sky includes all of the new content in the "Beacon" update, such as new robotic settlements to explore, and major enhancements for the Switch version of the game specifically.
Snag the Switch 1 edition of No Man's Sky for 46% off to get the free Switch 2 Edition upgrade
If you haven't played No Man's Sky on the Switch yet, now is the perfect time to try it out. It's on sale at a huge discount on Amazon for the physical edition or directly from Nintendo for the digital edition. If you have the base Switch version, you can get the Switch 2 Edition update for free when you play it on a Switch 2.
Digital edition: $59 $23 @ NintendoView Deal
As Murray points out, the original Switch's hardware can run No Man's Sky fine, but is still limited compared to PCs and other consoles. So, it has slightly less impressive graphics, longer loading times, and a generally less fluid gameplay experience than other platforms.
With the Switch 2, a lot of those hardware barriers are removed, allowing Hello Games to take the Switch experience in No Man's Sky up a notch. The Switch 2 Edition, a free update for all existing Switch players, will include:
Multiplayer
Cross-save
Cross-play
Higher resolution (up to 4K)
Higher frame rate
Higher texture density
So, not only are Switch players getting a boatload of new content, they're also going to have a much better gameplay experience on the Switch 2 — without having to pay extra for it.
This is a really player-friendly move from Hello Games that shows how much they appreciate their players and community. The question is, why isn't Nintendo offering similar free Switch 2 upgrades for its first-party games?
Hello Games has built back from No Man's Sky's rocky start through offering frequent free updates to regain trust with players, so it doesn't come as a surprise that the Switch 2 Edition of the game is also a free update.
However, it does set Hello Games apart from Nintendo, which is charging players for most of its Switch 2 Editions.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land are all getting Switch 2 Editions, but you have to pay $10 to $20 extra for them, even if you already own the Switch 1 versions of those games. Like No Man's Sky, these Switch 2 Editions add new content and overall performance improvements.
Of course, it's totally normal for developers to offer paid DLC for games, which is basically what Switch 2 Editions are. However, considering how much controversy Nintendo has been facing over the pricing of the Switch 2 and its games, it might be a nice gesture to regain favor with players to offer these Switch 2 Editions as free updates for existing players.
I doubt that's going to happen, but Hello Games has really set the standard here for doing right by your players, and other developers might want to take notice.
"I'm really excited — but not about the price": As tariff threats loom, Nintendo fans at exclusive NYC event are torn over the Switch 2
Switch 2 won't support 100+ games and apps at launch — here's what you'll be missing
Who really owns your Switch 2? "It's-a-me!" suggests Nintendo
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Engadget
41 minutes ago
- Engadget
Palmer Luckey's ModRetro Chromatic portable console is now a thing you can actually buy
There's a new (ish) retro console on the block. The ModRetro Chromatic had a soft launch last year but is now "permanently in stock" for consumers. This is another machine that runs Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, like the beloved Analogue Pocket and others. The Chromatic features a magnesium alloy build, so it should take a licking. It also features a backlit screen — something the original Game Boy lacked. As a matter of fact, Nintendo didn't fully embrace backlighting technology until midway through the life of the Game Boy Advance. The console was designed by Palmer Luckey and was originally sold in a limited run last year. Today's release includes a new colorway and the choice of a sapphire glass display for increased durability. There are also a bunch of new accessories, like a rechargeable power bank, and some nifty software features. It can now natively stream to Discord, Mac or PC, without any additional hardware and there's a new firmware tool to update games. The Chromatic runs proprietary cartridges, in addition to Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles. There are a handful of new games arriving with this release, including a metroidvania called Dark Plague . Each console ships with Tetris , just like the original Game Boy. The standard release costs $200, but the model with the sapphire glass display costs $300. New games price out at $40 and old-school Game Boy carts are available on eBay, at garage sales and maybe buried in ancient couch cushions. There are a couple of caveats here. First of all, this doesn't emulate games, as cartridges are required. It only handles Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles. The Analogue Pocket, for instance, can also play Game Boy Advance titles and a separate adapter brings other consoles into the mix. — Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) May 1, 2025 There's also the creator himself. Palmer Luckey is a controversial figure. He founded Oculus and helped bring VR to the masses, sure, but recent years has found him running a military defense contracting firm called Anduril Industries. This company has been involved with designing a "virtual" border wall complete with hundreds of surveillance towers, building AI tools for military use and, most recently, making wearables that allow soldiers to interact with AI-powered weapon systems. He's become a big player in the defense space, securing $6 billion in global government contracts. You'll have to decide if you want to indirectly contribute to that cause by giving him $200 or $300 to pick up a portable console. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft Xbox handheld Ally console release date and details confirmed
Microsoft has revealed its answer to Nintendo's Switch 2, with the handheld Xbox console, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, long after teasing its arrival. Partnering with Asus, the two consoles are designed to be used in-hand, in the same way that the Switch appeals to gamers on the go. The ROG Xbox Ally is the base console, while the ROG Xbox Ally X is a more premium gadget. Here's everything we know about the ROG Xbox Ally consoles. A handheld console does what it says on the tin, allowing players to play wherever they are, via the cloud, or remotely with their Xbox console. Both consoles will use Windows 11, with the Game Bar allowing you to access your library of games as well as console controls. Microsoft has already confirmed that it will offer games that you can't play elsewhere, which might be enough to entice even long-term Xbox and PC gamers. Indeed, there's a clear focus on trying to attract PC users, with apps like Discord and Twitch also compatible with the handheld. However, there's still a definite Xbox feel to the design of the console, with the typical Xbox button giving players access to chat, apps, and settings, much like on a typical controller. In terms of game access, the handhelds will be compatible with Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts, as well as the promise of exclusive games. Buying the Xbox Ally also gives you instant access to Game Pass, so you can access the hundreds of games in the subscription library to get yourself started. The launch of Xbox Ally will be made in partnership with Roblox, bringing the game – boasting 85 million daily active users – to a handheld console for the first time. Microsoft also suggests in its press release that it intends to bring out games optimised for handheld gaming, saying it is 'working closely with our game developer partners'. The Ally and Ally X both run on AMD processors, similar to the most recent generation of larger major consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S. However, it's worth noting that the X model runs on a more advanced version of the Rysen processor, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme. The base model uses the AMD Ryzen Z2 A. That boosts the RAM from 16GB to 24 and doubles SSD storage from 512GB to 1,024GB. The premium console will also include AI features 'as they come', which suggests that they won't be available at launch. Physically, it also includes impulse triggers for more immersive play. With a holiday launch planned for the end of 2025, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X will initially be available in the following countries: Australia Belgium Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Ireland Italy Japan Korea Mexico The Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Saudi Arabia Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey The United Arab Emirates The United Kingdom The United States Availability will soon after follow for other markets. Pricing, compatible accessories, and pre-order details are 'coming soon' according to Microsoft, but you can sign up for email notifications here to be notified first.
Engadget
an hour ago
- Engadget
Splatoon spinoff game will launch exclusively on Switch 2
Nintendo just dropped a trailer for a Splatoon spinoff game. Titled Splatoon Raiders , the third-person paint slinging shooter spinoff will be released exclusively on the Switch 2 . This marks the first spinoff in the franchise and will take players to a new location called the Spirhalite Islands. While details are sparse at this early stage, the trailer mentions players will take on the role of 'a mechanic' alongside Deep Cut, a fictional band in the Splatoon universe. There's no mention of multiplayer (and no footage of it in this teaser), so Splatoon Raiders may well be a single-player experience. While the initial launch will be exclusive to Nintendo's newest handheld, the trailer says that 'research is still underway,' implying there may be future releases on additional consoles. A substantial update for Splatoon 3 was also announced, with version 10.0 landing on both Switch and Switch 2 June 12. Included in the update is the Splatlands Collection, a cache of 30 new weapons from the Barazushi and Emberz in-game brands. While they are based on previous weapons, they will sport new designs, sub weapons and specials. The update also includes matchmaking improvements, with an added metric called Series Weapon Power, which will track your effectiveness per weapon based on your win-loss ratio in battles. This new metric will be considered when pairing you with other online players. Version 10.0 is also bringing back Urchin Underpass, a popular multiplayer map from the original Splatoon game. Nintendo says that Switch 2 players will notice more detailed visuals and improved performance with this update. Alongside the Animal Crossing franchise, Splatoon and its sequels have been star properties for Nintendo, and have sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The Nintendo Switch 2 was released on June 5 and has been hard to find in stock during its first launch week.
