Stardew Valley, inarguably one of the most important and successful indie games of all time, is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. This has been par for the course for several Switch games since the successor console released this summer, but it's rather interesting within the context of Eric Barone's cozy classic: Stardew Valley never got next-gen upgrades on the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S, so this sort of hardware enhancement is new ground for the ever-developing life sim.
It may be unprecedented, but Stardew Valley's Switch 2 upgrade is nothing to scoff at. This enhanced version of the 2016 original will ostensibly be unchanged from a raw content standpoint; it's the new ways that players will be able to engage with this content that's interesting. But while these substantial changes are welcome, and may even be revolutionary for some Switch players, there's one feature that's seemingly been left in the dust, for better or worse.
The Switch 2 edition of Stardew Valley is slated for a Fall 2025 release, though no specific release date has been announced at the time of writing. It will be a free update for anyone who already owns the game.
Stardew Valley on Switch 2 Will Have a Spate of New Features, but Lacks One Worthwhile Performance Enhancement
Stardew Valley's Switch 2 Features, Explained
The Switch 2 version of Stardew Valley will be headlined by three major new features:
- Game Share
- 4-player split-screen co-op
- Mouse controls
Game Share is a new feature for the Nintendo Switch 2 that allows players to tether a game that they own, locally, to another Switch or Switch 2 device. This means that someone with Stardew Valley on the Switch 2 can hop on the same network as someone else with a Switch, and both devices can run the game simultaneously. Such a feature could make Stardew Valley considerably more accessible, especially for those who have never played it and may be on the fence about buying it.
But the other two Switch 2 upgrades are arguably even more impactful. In the past, Switch players could only enjoy four-player co-op online, but the Stardew Valley Switch 2 upgrade will allow local co-op with up to four players, greatly expanding the local multiplayer potential. Finally, this update brings mouse controls to Stardew on Switch 2, courtesy of the Joy-Con 2's new mouse functionality. This promises to make the gameplay experience closer to that of the PC version, which many players feel is superior due to the greater precision that mouse controls afford.
Stardew Valley's Upcoming Switch 2 Features Are Great, but 120 FPS Would Have Been a Nice Touch Too
The original Switch saw no shortage of backlash for its weak hardware profile, and the Switch 2 takes steps to remedy these criticisms. A great deal of attention has been given to the third-party games made available via this new tech, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, but the impact that it has on existing and first-party titles is significant as well. For instance, several games, including the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, can run at 120 FPS on the Switch 2, either while docked or in handheld mode.
It should go without saying that Stardew Valley is far more modest in the graphics department than something like Metroid Prime 4, yet the Switch 2 version of the game will not feature 120 FPS in handheld mode. This is rather puzzling since, unlike resolution, higher FPS can benefit just about any gaming experience, regardless of graphical fidelity. It would have been nice to see this ultra-smooth visual option included for the handheld mode of Stardew on the new console, but alas, it looks like this isn't meant to be—for now, at least.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
- Cross Save
- cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 Players
- How Long To Beat
- 53 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1 GB (November 2023)
