The Switch 2 Edition of Stardew Valley shadowdropped on Christmas Day, giving users who already have the original Switch version a free game upgrade for the holidays. Although Stardew Valley initially targeted the fall of 2025 to release the Switch 2 Edition of the popular life-sim title, the upgrade came just a few days into winter.
Since its launch in 2016, Stardew Valley has become one of the most popular indie games of all time, with over 41 million units sold globally as of late 2024. The game’s long-standing popularity is due in part to its charming pixel art style, continued updates years after launch, and wide availability on all major platforms. Some of Stardew Valley‘s past updates have given players new festivals in-game to participate in, and various quality of life changes to the game’s main systems.
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Stardew Valley Surprises Switch 2 Users With A Christmas Day Gift
Three months after Stardew Valley‘s Switch 2 Edition was revealed in a Nintendo Direct broadcast, fans who already own the Switch version can now claim a free upgrade as of Christmas Day on the Nintendo eShop. Otherwise, Stardew Valley on Switch 2 costs $14.99, the same price as the original Switch port. Stardew Valley on Switch 2 also takes up slightly more space than the original Switch version, as the new edition requires 2.3 GB of storage space, up from 1.6 GB. Once the Switch 2 upgrade pack for Stardew Valley has been applied by updating the game to the latest version and downloading a 3 MB patch afterward, the original Switch version will be replaced with the Switch 2 Edition on the console’s main menu. Plus, any previous Stardew Valley game save data from the Switch version will also be available on the Switch 2, allowing players to pick up where they left off.
While the Switch 2 upgrade of Stardew Valley was initially planned to launch in the fall of 2025, it’s Christmas Day arrival is still a timely surprise for gamers to end the year off with. Although Stardew Valley‘s Switch 2 Edition does not offer any graphical or framerate updates to the gameplay experience, the new port comes with some exclusive features compared to its predecessor. This includes mouse mode support with the Joy-Con 2 controllers, support for local split-screen co-op with up to four players on the same display, and online multiplayer via Nintendo Switch Online that can support up to eight players on a single file. Additionally, GameShare can be utilized by up to three nearby Switch and Switch 2 consoles to join in local co-op, even if they don’t own the game already. However, GameShare requires the host Switch 2 console to buy and download the Switch 2 version of Stardew Valley beforehand.
What’s Next For Stardew Valley?
Fans looking for news about Stardew Valley‘s plans for its upcoming 10th anniversary must wait a little longer. Although Stardew Valley‘s 1.7 content update remains in development as of this writing, the game’s creator, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, has not revealed too many details about it. ConcernedApe stated in September that it may still be some time before Stardew Valley version 1.7 is ready, and that he wanted to avoid oversharing information prematurely. However, ConcernedApe added he wanted to avoid the staggered launch that Stardew Valley‘s 1.6 update had, as it released on PC in March 2024 before arriving on consoles and mobile devices eight months later.
Additionally, another popular indie game, Among Us, is hosting a limited-time crossover event with Stardew Valley. Among Us players have until February 18, 2026, to complete the Stardew Valley Cosmicube, which will grant players various cosmetics themed around characters like Abigail, Sebastian, and Lewis. All in all, Stardew Valley‘s Christmas launch on the Switch 2 is a sure sign that the game is not slowing down.
- Released
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February 26, 2016
- ESRB
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E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
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ConcernedApe
