Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 on Switch 2 Is Officially a Massive Missed Opportunity

Just in time to celebrate the series’ eighth anniversary, Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 are officially coming to the 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 past decade, and getting to play them on the Switch 2 is something that plenty of 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 will have to buy them all over again. It’s a wild move on Square Enix’s part, and it could ultimately hold the series back from thriving on the Switch 2. Ever since the console launched last year, Nintendo has been allowing users to upgrade to the Switch 2 version for a small fee, which makes this decision even more baffling.

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Octopath Travel 1 and 2 Skipping the Switch 2 Upgrade Route Is Doing a Disservice to Fans

That isn’t the only controversial decision that has been made with this Switch 2 version. A player’s Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 saves won’t be transferable to the Switch 2, either, adding fuel to the fire. There have been plenty of Switch games with Switch 2 upgrades, and Square Enix has even allowed several of its games to be 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 entries in the Octopath Traveler series to get the same treatment. Of course, Octopath Traveler is a fresher IP than the aforementioned trio, so that may have something to do with it. That doesn’t mean it’s the right move by Square Enix, though.

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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 fans want to play the first and second Octopath Traveler games on their Switch 2, they have to fork over 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 huge discount that it comes with.

Gaming is feeling increasingly more expensive for a lot of longtime fans, and an Octopath Traveler Switch 2 upgrade would have made the announcement that much more exciting. Even though it’s cheaper than some Switch 2 game prices, $60 feels egregious when it could have easily been made a $5 or $10 upgrade.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 Upgrade System Has Made Leveling Up to the Switch 2 Much Easier

It can be daunting moving from an old console to a new one. Of course, there are plenty of games that are backwards compatible, even with the original Switch roster. However, the Switch 2 upgrades improve the overall quality of the game’s older version. It’s a solid way to go about bridging the gap between last-gen and current-gen versions. In many cases, a good chunk 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: Silksong – Free

Kirby and the Forgotten Land – $19.99

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – $9.99

No Man’s Sky – Free

Pokemon Legends: Z-A – $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 Tears of the Kingdom – $9.99 each

Many of the pricier upgrades are first-party Nintendo games that are exclusive to the brand, which makes sense. However, even Square Enix has one of the more expensive options under its umbrella with the $10 Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven upgrade. So, it’s not like Square Enix would have to go down the free route. The company could still have made a solid amount of money if the Octopath Traveler upgrades had been priced in a similar way. Even $20 would have felt like a deal compared to the option that Square Enix went with.

Original Switch Users Might Be Better Off Sticking to Their Older Octopath Traveler Copies

It might be tempting to buy the Switch 2 version of Octopath Traveler in order to play it on the brand-new console. However, if one’s original Switch is working just fine, then sticking with playing that version might be the best move. Of course, that’s a personal decision at the end of the day, but refraining from buying a new Switch 2 version could also be a solid way to send a message to Square Enix.

There are plenty of special Square Enix games out there. Franchises like 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 has still got it when it comes to crafting amazing RPGs with compelling stories. It’s no surprise that the company would want to get as many sales as possible out of two games that are so great, but allowing fans who already owned these games to upgrade for a cheaper price would have been a small, but effective, way to show appreciation for the eighth anniversary.