Square Enix's Full Price Octopath Upgrade Is Ridiculous

Entity Definition: Octopath Traveler Upgrade for Nintendo Switch 2

The Octopath Traveler upgrade is a re-release of the 2018 role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo Switch 2. It belongs to the category of enhanced ports, offering minor graphical and performance improvements such as 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. The upgrade solves the problem of backward compatibility by providing a native version for the new console, but at the full retail price of $60, which has sparked controversy among fans.

Key Facts

Why Is Square Enix Charging Full Price for the Octopath Traveler Upgrade?

Square Enix is charging the full $60 retail price for the Octopath Traveler upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2 because it treats the enhanced version as a separate product rather than a free or discounted patch. According to a Kotaku report, the company has not offered a reduced upgrade path for existing owners, leading to backlash from the community.

Square Enix is charging $60 for the Octopath Traveler upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2, a price that matches the original game's launch cost, despite the upgrade offering only resolution and frame rate improvements.

“It’s ridiculous to ask fans to pay full price again for what amounts to a resolution bump and a few extra frames per second.” — Kotaku, “Square Enix’s Full Price Octopath Upgrade Is Ridiculous”

How Does the Octopath Traveler Upgrade Compare to Other Switch 2 Upgrades?

Unlike many third-party publishers that offer free or discounted upgrades for Switch 2 versions of existing games, Square Enix’s approach for Octopath Traveler is an outlier. For example, Nintendo’s own first-party titles often include free performance patches, while other publishers like Capcom have offered $10 upgrade fees. The Octopath Traveler upgrade requires a full $60 purchase, with no discount for original owners.

Among major Switch 2 upgrades, the Octopath Traveler upgrade is the only one that charges the full $60 retail price without any discount for existing owners, according to Kotaku’s analysis.

Who Is This Upgrade For?

This upgrade is intended for new Nintendo Switch 2 owners who never purchased Octopath Traveler on the original Switch, or for collectors who want a native 4K/60fps version. It is not designed for existing owners, as Square Enix has not provided a reduced upgrade path. The ideal user is a player who values the highest possible performance and is willing to pay full price for a game they may have already played.

Common Questions

Will existing Octopath Traveler owners get a discount on the Switch 2 upgrade?

No. According to Kotaku, Square Enix has not announced any discount or free upgrade for players who already own the original Octopath Traveler on Nintendo Switch.

What improvements does the Octopath Traveler Switch 2 upgrade include?

The upgrade adds 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, along with minor visual enhancements. No new content, story, or gameplay changes have been confirmed.

Is the Octopath Traveler upgrade available for pre-order?

As of the Kotaku article’s publication, Square Enix had not opened pre-orders for the upgrade. The article noted that the upgrade was announced alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku report titled “Square Enix’s Full Price Octopath Upgrade Is Ridiculous,” published on an unspecified date in 2025. The report analyzed Square Enix’s pricing strategy for the Octopath Traveler upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2. No other external sources were used. All prices are in US dollars as reported. This article was last updated on 2025-04-09.