Nintendo Switch 2 launch this week. Hello Games founder Sean Murray has confirmed that No Man's Sky will receive an upgrade just in time for Nintendo's new console, dropping nine years after the game's launch in 2016. This is the latest update for the game following Relics in March 2025.

Sean Murray announced a Switch version of the game on X, confirming the update, Beacon, as part of a free Switch 2 upgrade. This will include a full upgrade of the Switch's version, ing Multiplayer, Cross Save, and Cross Play, as well as a whole new area in Beacon. On top of the new features, Murray confirmed numerous quality updates, including improved frame rate, touch controls, and improved resolution on both the Switch 2's TV and Handheld Modes.

No Man's Sky Is Getting A Switch 2 Upgrade Right Before The Console Launches

Improvements To The Current Game And A New Expansion

During the nearly three-minute deep dive, Murray covers the expanded area of Beacon itself, as well as the improvements to the current No Man's Sky experience. This comes after the update was confirmed in January this year. The Beacon update will add Switch 2 at launch for free for all players. Described by Murray as "A huge leap forward." the launch of the Switch 2 version will include Cross Play and Cross Save alongside Multiplayer for the first time.

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The density and level of detail have been expanded with the new horsepower available on the Switch 2, rendering more at a higher resolution with an increased frame rate. The gameplay itself, Beacon, adds huge, dense robot settlements that you can upgrade as you play. Further improvements have been made to the UI, as well as a new upgrade ing touch controls.

Our Take: The More Games With Switch 2 Upgrades, The Better

More Games Need To Follow

No Man's Sky Beacon Switch 2

Ahead of the launch of the Switch 2, there aren't a huge number of games that have updates confirmed. However, this is welcome news at the perfect time for Switch 2's launch week. No Man Sky's consistent updates have always provided more content for players. The details provided by Murray not only offer quality of life improvements but also greatly expand on what was already one of the biggest games on the Switch.

No Man's Sky's free upgrade follows in the footsteps of some first-party Nintendo titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, while other games like Breath of the Wild are offering paid upgrade versions instead. Although there are limited new titles at launch for the Switch 2, more titles available through backward compatibility will hopefully follow with meaningful upgrades for players. The Switch 2's launch is the perfect time for No Man's Sky to receive an upgrade, and it's huge news for fans getting their hands on a Switch 2 this week.

Source: X

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Your Rating

No Man's Sky
Systems
Top Critic Avg: 72/100 Critics Rec: 36%
Released
August 9, 2016
ESRB
T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood
Developer(s)
Hello Games
Publisher(s)
Hello Games
Engine
Proprietary

An online action-adventure survival game, No Man's Sky sends players out into the deepest recesses of space. While exploring the procedurally-generated universe comprising over 18 quintillion explorable planets, players must gather resources to fuel their ship and ensure their continued survival. Developed by Hello Games, No Man's Sky also incorporates an optional story that tasks players with seeking out the mysterious entity known only as The Atlas.

Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch 2
How Long To Beat
30.5 Hours
X|S Optimized
Yes
File Size Xbox Series
20.36 GB (September 2024)
Metascore
83
Platforms That Crossplay
PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
PS Plus Availability
N/A
ed VR Headsets
Sony PlayStation VR, Sony PlayStation VR2, Valve Index, HP Reverb G2, HTC Vive Pro 2, HTC VIVE Cosmos, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro
How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
150 hours
OpenCritic Rating
Fair