The free Switch 2 upgrade for It Takes Two skips Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Everywhere else that matches EA's terms, Switch owners can move to the new edition without buying it again — digital and cartridge copies both have a claim path. Launch is Oct 15, 2026 in most regions and Oct 16 in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. Facts below were checked against EA's press release, EA's Switch 2 news post, EA Help, and Nintendo Life on Oct 11, 2026, at 3:25 p.m. PT.
Who qualifies — and who does not
| Situation | Free Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade? |
|---|---|
| Own digital Switch edition on the same Nintendo Account | Yes, where the free offer is sold (eShop route) |
| Own physical Switch cartridge tied to that account's offer path | Yes, where the free offer is sold (in-game icon → eShop) |
| Account lives in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, or Taiwan | No free offer (see Japan note below) |
| Own it only on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC | No — EA Help: you can only upgrade from a Switch edition |
| Buying Switch 2 edition new at list | $39.99 STD (EA press); not an upgrade claim |
You need internet access, a Nintendo Account, and eShop access. EA's footnotes say you must own the Switch copy on the same Nintendo Account, then either open the eShop or log into the game on Switch 2 and take the in-game offer. Offers can change; check the listing on your own account.
Japan note: the free offer is unavailable there (and in Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan). The same press release separately footnotes a "small price for JPN due to legal restrictions," so Japanese players should expect a paid path rather than the free claim — confirm the yen amount on the local eShop when it appears. Do not treat "Oct 16 release" as the same thing as "excluded from free upgrade": Australia and New Zealand launch a day later but are not on EA's free-offer exclusion list.
Digital vs physical claim route
| Edition you own | How EA Help says to claim |
|---|---|
| Digital Switch | Upgrade from the Nintendo eShop |
| Physical Switch | Launch the game and use the in-game icon to reach the eShop upgrade |
EA Help confirms physical copies can upgrade; it does not say whether the cartridge must stay inserted after you redeem, or whether redemption creates a standalone digital license. If you plan to sell or lend the cart, keep it until that part is clear on your account.
PS, Xbox, and PC libraries do not unlock this Nintendo upgrade. Friend's Pass is separate: one player still needs the full game so a partner can join via the free Friend's Pass trial on a supported platform.
What the Switch 2 edition actually adds
EA lists docked 1080p / 60 FPS (vs 30 FPS on the original Switch build, per EA Help), higher-res textures, improved lighting and effects, and faster loads. Cross-play covers Switch 2 with PC, Xbox One / Series X|S, and PlayStation 4 / 5. GameShare can bring an original Switch player into a local session with a Switch 2 host. Online with an original Switch player still needs the Switch 2 owner to downgrade to the older edition for free through the eShop, according to EA Help — Switch 1 online cross-play with the Switch 2 build is not the same as full multi-platform cross-play.
New buyers who never owned the Switch version pay the Switch 2 SKU; owners who qualify should claim the upgrade instead of buying a second full copy. Recheck your regional eShop offer on launch day before paying list price.