Hollow Knight: Silksong Offers Free Enhanced Upgrade on Switch 2

The long wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally drawing to a close, and Team Cherry has confirmed a major piece of good news for Nintendo fans: players on the current Nintendo Switch will be able to unlock the upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 features completely free of charge.

This comes directly from the developer’s latest Kickstarter update, where they explained how backers and future players will gain access to the enhanced version.

For those who backed the game years ago, standard Switch keys will be sent out via email. But if you’re playing on the upcoming Switch 2, you’ll simply need to redeem your Switch code, install the base game, and then download a free “Silksong Upgrade Pack” from the eShop. This extra download will unlock the console’s enhanced capabilities, whether that’s faster loading, smoother frame rates, or visual improvements tailored for the hardware. While Team Cherry hasn’t yet detailed the exact features, it strongly suggests the upgrade will be available to everyone on Switch 2, not just Kickstarter backers.

The timing is important here, as backer surveys close imminently. Anyone who supported the project back when it was first announced only has hours left to complete their survey and secure their key. Interestingly, some backers admitted they’d forgotten they had even pledged all those years ago. One longtime supporter even remarked that they’d rather buy the game again just to show extra support to Team Cherry after such a long development journey.

Pricing has also been officially locked in, and it’s surprisingly generous. Despite speculation and retail leaks, Silksong will launch at $19.99 in the United States, €19.99 in Europe, and ¥2300 in Japan. In an era where many indie hits are creeping closer to full AAA prices, this relatively low entry point makes the release even more exciting. With the game spanning across PC, Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, virtually every platform will be covered on day one.

The release date is set: September 4, 2025. Team Cherry unveiled this during gamescom, along with a preview of the dark, atmospheric environments players will soon explore. Expect new insectoid NPCs, haunting graveyards, misty swamps, and a lively city hub, alongside brutal enemies, challenging bosses, and even Ori-style chase sequences. Early demos from the show floor included Moss Grotto and Deep Docks – one being approachable and the other fiercely punishing – giving a taste of the difficulty balance that made the original game a cult classic.

What’s left hanging in the air is the mystery of the Switch 2 “enhanced features.” Some fans are eager for higher resolutions and steadier frame rates; others hope for subtle gameplay tweaks or smoother loading transitions. For now, Team Cherry is keeping the specifics close to the chest, but anticipation is higher than ever.

For players eager to revisit the original before Silksong launches, refreshed walkthroughs and detailed interactive maps are already available online. Whether you’re preparing for the new journey or diving in fresh, one thing is certain: Silksong looks set to deliver the kind of richly atmospheric, tightly designed adventure that Hollow Knight fans have been dreaming about for years.