Square Enix Skips Switch 2 Upgrades for Octopath and Star Ocean

Native Switch 2 versions of Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler II, and Star Ocean: The Second Story R are on the way, but the lack of an upgrade option is stealing the spotlight.

RPG lovers have something to look forward to from Square Enix, but the celebration has a frustrating twist. The business is releasing a number of its popular HD-2D titles, including Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler II, and Star Ocean: The Second Story R to Nintendo Switch 2. The new versions are intended to take advantage of the console’s upgraded hardware for improved visuals and smoother performance.

This sounds like what fans have been clamoring for on paper. These games, which use a magnificent HD-2D visual style, are already great on the Switch 2 and should play even better if they run natively. Cleaner visuals, steadier frame rates, and faster performance are all welcome improvements for players jumping into these adventures for the first time.

The problem is that existing owners won't get an easy path to those upgrades. Square Enix is not offering an upgrade option for players who already own the Nintendo Switch versions. That means anyone wanting the native Switch 2 editions will have to buy the games again instead of paying a small fee to unlock the enhanced versions.

It's a decision that has left many fans scratching their heads.

Plenty of players say they would have happily paid around $10 for a next-generation upgrade. Paying full price for a game they already own, however, is a much harder sell. That feeling is understandable because these games haven't suddenly become outdated. Thanks to their beautiful pixel-art presentation, the original Switch releases still hold up remarkably well.

They already look great through backward compatibility, so the visual improvements alone may not be enough to convince existing owners to purchase them a second time. It also raises a bigger question. At a time when many publishers are offering affordable upgrade paths between console generations, why take the all-or-nothing approach?

Another detail adding to the discussion is Square Enix's continued use of Game-Key Cards for its physical Switch 2 releases. These upcoming games will follow that format instead of shipping on traditional cartridges containing the full game. For some players, that's another disappointment.

Game-Key Cards still come in a physical box, but they require players to download the game instead of having everything stored on the cartridge. Collectors who prefer complete physical releases have become increasingly vocal about wanting publishers to move away from this system.

None of this changes the quality of the games themselves. Some of the best new RPGs in Square Enix’s portfolio are Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler II and Star Ocean: The Second Story R. They’ve built up a dedicated fan base over the years with their mix of classic pixel imagery, modern lighting, memorable storytelling and turn-based combat.

And that's precisely why fans were looking for a more consumer-friendly approach.

A small tweak would have enticed existing owners to return these adventures, while delivering the greatest version possible to newbies. Instead, the announcement has shifted the conversation away from the games themselves and toward Square Enix's business decisions.

There's no doubt the Switch 2 editions will offer the definitive way to experience these RPGs. The real question is whether enough returning players will be willing to pay full price again—or if many will simply stick with the versions they already own.
After all, when the games already look this good, is a native upgrade really worth buying twice?