Nintendo UK customer support says physical Switch 2 Editions are Switch 1 cartridges with code for upgrade pack [update: different response]

April 5: Based on new information from Nintendo UK customer support, we seem to have new information about how the physical Switch 2 Editions work at retail.

In case you missed it, these versions are Switch 1 games with extras. These could come in the form of technical upgrades, new content, and more.

Based on what we’re now hearing, the boxed copies of Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of games are basically just Switch 1 games. Apparently, they come on Switch 1 cartridges, but with a code for an upgrade pack. In other words, the extra bells and whistles don’t appear to be available on the cartridge itself.

Nintendo has already announced several Switch 2 Editions. The initial batch of confirmed games are Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Metroid Prime 4, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

Also, in other news about Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, it’s been confirmed that the original Switch game can still be played on Nintendo Switch after you upgrade. This was largely expected, but it’s still nice to have confirmation on that front.

April 7: There’s now a different response provided by Nintendo UK through the My Nintendo Store, which indicates that the upgrade pack will be included on the cartridge after all. Read the full response below.