Square Enix scores an own goal: Octopath Traveler Switch 2 ports revive 2 great JRPGs, but with no upgrade path or save data transfer
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Square Enix has released Switch 2 versions of Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler 2, bringing two well-regarded JRPGs to Nintendo’s newer hardware, but the move has drawn criticism because existing Switch owners are not being offered an upgrade path. The article argues this matters because it makes returning players pay again for improved versions and creates friction for fans who may have expected a more consumer-friendly transition between Nintendo platforms.
A further point of frustration is that save data cannot be transferred from the original Switch releases to the Switch 2 ports, meaning players must start over even if they already own and have spent time with the games. The piece frames this as an avoidable misstep by Square Enix, especially given the strong reputation of both titles and the broader industry expectation that re-releases on new hardware should ideally support either discounted upgrades, save migration, or both.
- Switch 2 ports arrive without an upgrade path
- Players also cannot transfer save data
- Critics see it as a consumer-unfriendly decision
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Square Enix has released Switch 2 editions of Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler 2, a pair of retro-styled role-playing games known for their pixel-art visuals and branching, multi-character storylines. Both titles were originally praised on the standard Nintendo Switch, and the new versions are designed to take advantage of the more powerful successor console.
The games are being sold as standalone purchases rather than as discounted upgrades for people who already own them on the original Switch, and progress made in the earlier versions cannot be carried over. This is relevant because it touches on a wider debate in gaming about how publishers should treat loyal customers when hardware generations change, particularly around fair pricing and continuity of save data.
Square Enix is a major Japanese video game publisher behind long-running franchises such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, while the Octopath Traveler series has built a smaller but devoted following since its 2018 debut. The situation is being watched as a test case for how other publishers might handle similar re-releases as more games move to Nintendo's newer hardware.
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Originally published by GamesRadar+ as “Square Enix scores an own goal: Octopath Traveler Switch 2 ports revive 2 great JRPGs, but with no upgrade path or save data transfer”.