Games

Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition confirmed for 2026 with a free upgrade

21 December 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
10 min.
WhatsAppMessengerLinkedInRedditPinterestBufferSMS
Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition confirmed for 2026 with a free upgrade

Summary:

Team Cherry has confirmed that the original Hollow Knight is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and the headline is simple: it is planned for 2026, and it is set to be a free upgrade for players who already own the Switch version. That matters because Hollow Knight is the kind of game where tiny moments decide everything. A single pogo bounce, a tight shade dash, or a panic heal that barely lands can be the difference between a win and another long walk back to the boss door. The Switch 2 Edition is planned to bring the same kinds of platform-specific enhancements that Hollow Knight: Silksong received, including higher frame-rate modes, higher resolutions, and added graphical effects. In other words, we are looking at a version that aims to feel smoother in motion, look cleaner on modern displays, and add extra visual polish without changing what makes Hallownest special.

We also know this is not a “wait until 2026 and forget about it” situation. Team Cherry has said updates are planned for current platforms as well, with new features and bug fixes arriving ahead of the Switch 2 Edition. That approach is player-friendly, because it means improvements are not locked behind new hardware. For anyone who has been meaning to finally start Hollow Knight, this is a very convenient excuse. For anyone who has already cleared the map and can hear the sound of the last mask shattering in their sleep, it is a reason to return and see how the game feels with a more modern performance profile. Either way, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year in Hallownest.

The Hollow Knight Nintendo Switch 2 Announcemen t

Team Cherry has confirmed they are working on a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Hollow Knight, and the plan is for it to arrive in 2026. The key detail is that Switch owners are not being asked to buy the game again just to enjoy the upgrade. If you already own Hollow Knight on Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 Edition is planned as a free upgrade when it launches. That sets the tone right away: this is positioned as a player-first refresh, not a re-release with a new price tag slapped on it. We are still talking about the same beloved journey through Hallownest, the same bosses, the same map, and the same sense of wonder and dread that kicks in the moment the music drops and a fight begins. The difference is how the game is expected to run and look on the newer hardware, and that is where things get exciting for anyone who cares about smooth movement and crisp visuals.

What “Silksong-level enhancements” actually means

Team Cherry describes the Switch 2 Edition as incorporating the same updates and enhancements that Hollow Knight: Silksong received on the platform, and they call out three buckets that tell us a lot. We are getting higher frame-rate modes, higher resolutions, and added graphical effects. That wording is helpful because it is specific without being a wall of technical jargon. It also tells us the goal is not to reinvent Hollow Knight, but to modernize how it presents itself on newer hardware. If you have ever felt a game “snap” into place when performance improves, you already know why this matters. In a precise action game, smoothness is not a luxury, it is part of the language the game speaks to your hands. When that language gets clearer, you react faster, you misread fewer moments, and the whole experience feels more honest.

Frame rate options and why movement feels different

High frame-rate modes are not just about bragging rights, they can change how a game feels in motion. Hollow Knight is built on quick shifts between calm exploration and sudden bursts of chaos, and that is exactly where higher fps can shine. When the game updates more often, movement can look and feel smoother, especially during fast dashes, tight jumps, and dense particle-heavy moments. We are not claiming the difficulty changes, because the bosses are still the bosses, but the sensation of control can improve. If you have ever tried to thread a needle while riding a bike, you know the idea: the target did not move, but your ability to track it got better. For a lot of players, this is the kind of upgrade that makes a return playthrough feel fresh without touching the level design at all.

How higher fps changes timing and input feel

In games like Hollow Knight, timing is everything, and higher fps can make timing feel less “muddy” in the moments that matter. When you are reacting to telegraphs, tracking your character’s position, and choosing whether to heal or punish, clearer motion can help your brain make decisions faster. That does not mean you suddenly become a speedrunner with a shrine dedicated to perfect pogo chains, but it can reduce the friction between what you intend and what happens on screen. Think of it like switching from an old pair of sunglasses to a clean pair. The world is the same, but you stop squinting. We should still expect the same learning curve and the same “one more try” stubbornness, yet a smoother presentation can make repeated attempts feel less tiring and more readable.

Resolution upgrades and what “sharper” looks like

Higher resolution is the visual side of the same coin. Hollow Knight has a striking art style, but on larger modern displays, clarity matters, especially when you are scanning the screen for hazards, projectiles, or the edge of a platform you really should not miss. A higher resolution presentation can make outlines cleaner, reduce the sense of softness, and help the game’s hand-drawn look pop the way it is meant to. It is not about turning Hallownest into something it is not. It is about letting the existing art breathe. If you play on a TV most of the time, you may notice it first in fine details like foreground shapes, thin lines, and the crispness of UI elements. If you play handheld-style, clarity can still matter for readability, especially during busy fights where everything is moving at once.

Added graphical effects and why they matter in Hallownest

Team Cherry also calls out “many additional graphical effects,” and that line is doing a lot of work in a short space. Effects can mean a range of things, from improved lighting and shading touches to better-looking particles and smoother transitions in busy scenes. In a game like Hollow Knight, atmosphere is not decoration, it is part of the storytelling. Fog, glow, dust, and subtle movement in the environment all help sell the feeling that Hallownest is alive, decaying, and quietly dangerous. Extra effects, done well, can heighten that mood without distracting from gameplay. The best kind of visual upgrade is the one you notice mostly in hindsight, when you switch back and think, “Oh wow, this used to look flatter.” If the Switch 2 Edition leans into tasteful polish, we get a version that looks richer while still staying true to the original style.

Free upgrade details for existing Switch owners

The free upgrade promise is the part that will make a lot of people smile, because it removes the usual friction around enhanced editions. Team Cherry’s messaging is straightforward: if you own Hollow Knight on Nintendo Switch, you will be able to download the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for free when it launches in 2026. That is the kind of detail that instantly lowers the barrier to returning. It also makes recommending the game easier, because nobody has to play the guessing game of “Should I wait?” If you want to play now, you can. If you want to wait for Switch 2, you can. If you want to do both, well, Hollow Knight has a way of dragging us back anyway, like Hallownest is a magnet and we are all slightly metal. The point is that the upgrade path is planned to be simple, and that simplicity is a real win.

The 2026 timing and what we can expect before launch

The Switch 2 Edition is planned for 2026, and that is a wide window, but we are not left staring at a blank calendar. Team Cherry has also said they are updating versions of the original game on current platforms in preparation for the Switch 2 release. That tells us the work is not isolated to one build tucked away in a vault. Instead, changes are being developed in a way that can benefit more players, sooner. This kind of lead-in often means we will see incremental improvements roll out, with the Switch 2 Edition eventually bundling or building on those changes alongside the platform-specific enhancements like performance modes and higher resolution. If you like tracking patch notes and noticing tiny differences, 2026 may feel less like a single date and more like a season of upgrades.

Updates for current platforms and why that is a big deal

Team Cherry has said they will be updating all versions of the original Hollow Knight for current platforms, adding features and fixing bugs. That matters because it reduces the fear that improvements are being held hostage by new hardware. It also suggests a cleaner, more consistent baseline across platforms, which is good for everyone who plays on PC, Switch, or elsewhere. In practice, this can mean quality-of-life fixes that make repeated play sessions smoother, plus broader support for different display setups. Even small things can feel huge in a game where we spend a lot of time in menus, maps, and inventory screens. If you are the type who likes to revisit Hollow Knight once a year and pretend you will not get pulled into a full run again, these updates can make that yearly “quick look” less creaky and more inviting.

Who benefits most: first-timers vs returning players

First-time players and returning players will both benefit, just in different ways. If you are new, higher frame-rate modes and higher resolutions can make the very first impression stronger, because you are learning the world, the enemies, and your own limits all at once. Anything that improves clarity helps you build confidence faster. If you are returning, the benefit is often more emotional: you already know the beats, but you get to feel them with a smoother, sharper presentation. It is like revisiting a favorite place after it has been quietly renovated. The layout is the same, but the lights are better and the floor does not squeak as much. And for the players who live for boss rematches, anything that improves responsiveness and visual readability can make tough fights feel more “fair,” even if they are still just as punishing.

TV play vs handheld habits and how to set expectations

How you play matters for how you will notice the upgrade. On a TV, resolution and image clarity tend to stand out more, because bigger screens reveal softness quickly. Higher resolution can make the art look cleaner and the UI easier to read from a couch distance, and added effects can make environments feel richer. In handheld-style play, the perceived sharpness can already be decent because the screen is smaller, so frame-rate improvements may be what you feel most. That said, both aspects can matter in both modes, and the best outcome is a version that feels consistent, whether you are playing docked late at night or sneaking in a run on a commute. The important expectation to set is simple: this is an enhanced presentation of the same game, not a redesign. We are getting polish, not a different Hallownest.

How to get ready: saves, settings, and smart replays

If you are planning to jump back in when the Switch 2 Edition arrives, a little preparation can make the return smoother. If you still have your old save, it is worth keeping it, because returning to a late-game file is a fun way to immediately test how the game feels in tougher rooms and boss fights. If you prefer a fresh run, consider setting a personal theme, like focusing on charms you ignored last time, or aiming to complete areas in a different order. It keeps the replay feeling intentional rather than automatic. Also, pay attention to settings once the upgraded version arrives, especially if there are multiple frame-rate modes. The best choice might depend on whether you value sharpness or smoothness more. Either way, the goal is to make your next trip into Hallownest feel like a treat, not like you are doing homework you assigned yourself.

What this signals about Team Cherry’s next year

Team Cherry linking Hollow Knight’s Switch 2 Edition to the enhancements Silksong received tells us they are thinking in terms of platform standards, not one-off experiments. That is a reassuring sign for anyone who wants their games to age well across hardware generations. It also suggests 2026 is being treated as a year of continued support and upgrades, rather than a clean break where older titles get left behind. When a studio takes the time to improve an already-beloved game and offers that improvement as a free upgrade, it sends a clear message: they care about the player experience long after launch. For fans, it is an invitation to revisit Hollow Knight with fresh eyes and steadier performance. For new players, it is a hint that now is a safe time to start, because the game is not being abandoned, it is being sharpened.

Conclusion

Hollow Knight getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in 2026 is the kind of upgrade announcement that lands because it focuses on the right things. Team Cherry is aiming for higher frame-rate modes, higher resolutions, and added graphical effects, and they are pairing that with a free upgrade for existing Switch owners. That combination is rare enough to feel generous, and practical enough to matter. We are not being asked to relearn Hallownest, we are being invited to experience it with smoother motion and cleaner presentation. On top of that, updates are planned for current platforms as well, which means improvements are not limited to a single device. If you have been waiting for an excuse to return, this is a good one. If you have never played, the timing is even better, because you can start now and still look forward to an upgraded version later. Either way, Hallownest is calling again, and it is hard to pretend we cannot hear it.

FAQs
  • Is Hollow Knight getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?
    • Yes. Team Cherry has confirmed they are working on a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Hollow Knight, planned for release in 2026.
  • Will the Switch 2 Edition be a free upgrade?
    • Yes. Team Cherry says players who already own Hollow Knight on Nintendo Switch will be able to download the Switch 2 Edition for free when it launches in 2026.
  • What upgrades are planned for the Switch 2 Edition?
    • Team Cherry has said the Switch 2 Edition will include high frame-rate modes, higher resolutions, and additional graphical effects, matching the kinds of enhancements Silksong received on the platform.
  • Are updates coming to the current versions of Hollow Knight too?
    • Yes. Team Cherry has stated they will be updating all versions of the original game for current platforms, adding features and fixing bugs ahead of the Switch 2 Edition release.
  • When is the Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition planned to release?
    • It is planned for 2026. Team Cherry has not provided a specific date yet beyond that year.
Sources
WhatsAppMessengerLinkedInRedditPinterestBufferSMS