A surprise for the holidays: Stardew Valley has shadow-dropped on the Nintendo Switch 2. The beloved farming sim is available now from the eShop on Nintendo’s new console, and if you already own the Switch version you can grab the Switch 2 upgrade for free — though the upgrade option currently appears only when browsing the eShop directly on Switch 2 hardware.
What just happened
Without a formal countdown or a big splash, ConcernedApe’s hit landed on December 25, 2025. New buyers will see a standalone price (reported at $14.99), while previous Switch owners should be able to claim the free upgrade when they check the eShop on their Switch 2. Desktop storefront views may not show the upgrade option, so don’t panic if it’s missing from a browser — the console storefront is where it’s appearing first.
What’s different in the Switch 2 Edition
This isn’t a ground-up remake. Think of it as Stardew Valley tuned for Nintendo’s latest hardware and modern multiplayer habits. Key improvements include:
- mouse-style controls to simplify inventory management and placement
- four-player local split-screen (up from two on the original Switch)
- online multiplayer supporting up to eight players
- GameShare support so one owner can invite up to three friends to play even if those friends don’t own the game
Those changes make co-op farming feel much more like a party — and they exploit the clearer UI and horsepower of the new console.
Where this fits in the bigger picture
Stardew Valley has been quietly massive for years. The game was reported to have sold over 41 million copies as of late 2025, and porting a refined edition to Switch 2 is an obvious move to keep that momentum going. The release also feeds into the larger narrative around Nintendo’s next console: more third-party and indie support helps sustain momentum for a fresh platform. (Nintendo’s recent optimism about Switch 2 demand is one part of that story; the console’s stronger-than-expected sales projections help explain why studios are updating catalog titles for it.) You can read more about Nintendo's rising Switch 2 sales and how Nintendo is pacing new releases on the platform in our coverage of the Switch 2 release schedule.
The update roadmap and a teaser from ConcernedApe
This Switch 2 release arrives alongside continued chatter about Stardew’s next big content push. Creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone has teased the 1.7 update will include “more character/social stuff” and a new farm type — familiar territory for the game, which traditionally adds maps and social content with major updates. Barone also said he’d share news about the Switch 2 edition “very soon” and apologised for the wait; the surprise drop answers that in the most literal way.
If you want to play
If you own the original Stardew Valley on Switch, check the eShop from your Switch 2 to claim the free upgrade. New players can pick it up on Switch 2’s eShop at the listed price. If you’re planning local multiplayer, remember split-screen now supports up to four players — and GameShare makes it easy to bring friends along for a session without everyone owning a copy.
It’s a tidy, low-fuss present for longtime fans and a smart way to introduce newcomers to a game that’s quietly become one of the decade’s defining indie successes. Boot your console, plant something, and see who turns up to help harvest.