One of gaming’s most beloved cosy titles has officially made its way to Nintendo’s latest hardware. Stardew Valley is now available as a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and better still, existing Switch owners can upgrade for free.
Developer ConcernedApe confirmed the surprise release over Christmas, with the new edition live now on the Nintendo eShop. New players can purchase the game for USD $14.99, while anyone who already owns Stardew Valley on Nintendo Switch can download a free Upgrade Pack at no extra cost.
Image via nintendo.com
A Fresh Version Built for Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition brings several meaningful upgrades that take advantage of the new hardware. Most notably, the game now supports mouse style controls using the Joy Con 2, offering a more precise and PC like experience for farming, menus, and inventory management.
Multiplayer has also been expanded in a big way. Local split screen co op now supports up to four players on a single system, doubling the two player limit from the original Switch version. Online multiplayer has been pushed even further, with support for up to eight players working together on the same farm.
Thanks to the new Game Share feature on Nintendo Switch 2, only one person needs to own a copy of the game. That owner can invite up to three friends to join local co op sessions, even if those players don’t own Stardew Valley themselves.
Still the Same Cosy Experience Fans Love
At its heart, Stardew Valley remains the same relaxing life sim that fans have adored since its 2016 debut. Players inherit their late grandfather’s run down farm and set about building a new life from the ground up. That means growing crops, raising animals, fishing, mining, and slowly becoming part of the Pelican Town community.
The game’s story also explores the town’s struggles following the rise of the Joja Corporation, giving players the choice to support local traditions or embrace corporate convenience. Relationships remain a major draw too, with 12 bachelors and bachelorettes available for romance and marriage, something that continues to be a huge part of the game’s fan appeal.
A Massive Legacy Across Every Platform
The Switch 2 Edition is just the latest milestone in Stardew Valley’s remarkable journey. Developed originally by ConcernedApe as a solo project, the game earned widespread acclaim on release and currently holds an 89 score on Metacritic. To date, it has sold more than 41 million copies worldwide, placing it among the best selling video games of all time.
The game’s availability on almost every major platform has helped it remain relevant nearly a decade on, and this free upgrade approach shows why the community continues to hold the developer in such high regard.
Early Issues Acknowledged and Addressed
Shortly after launch, ConcernedApe acknowledged that the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition shipped with several technical issues. The developer publicly apologised, took full responsibility, and promised swift fixes.
I am aware that there are some issues with the nintendo switch 2 edition that just dropped. I take full responsibility for this mistake. We will fix this as soon as possible
— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) December 26, 2025
A follow up update has already been released, resolving online co op problems on both Switch 2 and Switch 2 versions of the game. Other reported issues are still under investigation, with further patches expected soon.
Is the Switch 2 Edition Worth Jumping Into?
With mouse controls, expanded multiplayer, Game Share support, and a free upgrade for existing owners, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Stardew Valley is an easy recommendation. Whether you’re returning to your old farm or starting fresh for the first time, this new version offers the most complete console experience yet.
If you’ve already got Stardew Valley on Switch, there’s little reason not to download the upgrade and see what’s new.