You don’t need a deluxe edition of Thief: The Dark Project Remastered to play The Tarnished Mirror. The new story campaign comes with the remaster, alongside the original adventure and Thief Gold content. If you’re choosing a copy for the December 3 release, the important distinction is between the game you’ll play and the extras you’d like to own.
That makes the standard edition a sensible starting point. Nightdive, Eidos-Montréal and Atari’s launch announcement introduces the physical editions while confirming that the new campaign is included. There’s no reason to buy a larger box just because you’re worried about missing that part of Garrett’s return.
Choose the extras you’ll actually keep
The physical releases announced for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 come in three versions. Atari’s edition breakdown separates them by their packaging and printed material, rather than by a different playable campaign.
| Physical edition | Playable content | Packaging and collector extras |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Remaster and The Tarnished Mirror | Standard packaging |
| Steelbook | Remaster and The Tarnished Mirror | Steelbook case |
| Deluxe Trapezoid | Remaster and The Tarnished Mirror | Steelbook, Remaster Diary and trapezoid-shaped box |
The standard physical copy is the straightforward choice if you want something for your shelf without making the packaging part of the purchase. Choose the Steelbook if the case itself appeals to you. The Trapezoid edition makes more sense if you enjoy reading about a remaster’s production and want the unusual box as a display piece.
Those are different reasons to spend more, and none needs to be dressed up as the only proper way to experience the game. Before ordering, check the selected platform, the retailer’s delivery estimate and the final total. A release date for the game isn’t a promise that a parcel will reach your door that morning.
Digital buyers can use the same distinction. The standard game includes the new campaign; the Digital Deluxe package adds supplementary material. The Steam listing for the remaster presents The Tarnished Mirror as part of the game itself, separate from its soundtrack and reading extras. Don’t mistake the campaign’s name on a soundtrack listing for a separate gameplay purchase.
A Switch upgrade doesn’t require buying twice
There’s a useful detail for anyone still playing on the original Switch: the publisher says the Switch version can be upgraded to the Switch 2 Edition for free. Atari also describes the Switch 2 physical release as compatible with the original Switch.
That gives a household with both systems more flexibility than the Switch 2 branding alone might suggest. You can choose the physical package you want without treating its box label as a reason to replace your console immediately.
In Nintendo Everything’s interview with Nightdive, producer Grover Wimberly IV also described a free upgrade path. It’s worth keeping that entitlement separate from performance expectations: this guide isn’t a test of either Nintendo version, and buying the more elaborate physical edition won’t tell you how either one runs.
Start with the standard edition unless a specific extra matters to you. If you’re buying a collectible version, buy it for the object you want to keep, not to secure a campaign that’s already included.