Can you play Core Keeper on Switch 2?
Yes: the Switch 2 Edition
The “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” was released on January 28, 2026.
Free for Switch owners
It was announced that owners of the Switch version can upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition for free.
8 players, smoother visuals
Up to 8 players online (4 on Switch). Improved lighting, shadows and water, targeting 60fps.
What is the Core Keeper Switch 2 Edition?
It is Core Keeper rebuilt for Nintendo Switch 2. It launched on January 28, 2026, the same day as the free 1.2 “Void & Voltage” major update for all platforms.
| Release date | January 28, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥2,310 regular price in Japan (per a February 2026 article). Prices vary by region and sale, so check your store. |
| Max players | 8 online |
| Crossplay | Switch version (not with PC, PlayStation or Xbox) |
Upgrading from Switch to the Switch 2 Edition
According to the announcement, owners of the Switch version can upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition for free. Check the store for how to upgrade and what price is shown (some articles published during sales list an upgrade price, so reports differ).
Whether Switch save data carries over after upgrading is not confirmed by any official information we could find.
Switch 2 Edition vs. Switch version
| Feature | Switch | Switch 2 Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Max players | 4 | 8 |
| Frame rate | — | Targets 60fps (announced) |
| Visuals | — | Improved lighting, shadows, water and particles (announced) |
| Content (updates) | Same (major updates come to every platform) | |
“60fps” is the target from the announcement; we have not seen measured frame-rate data.
Switch 2 multiplayer: can you play with Switch friends?
- Yes, you can play with Switch friends. If a Switch 2 player hosts, Switch players can join an 8-player session.
- If a Switch player hosts, the limit is 4.
- You cannot play with PC, PlayStation or Xbox (crossplay).
Platform support and prices can change with updates and sales. Checked in November 2026. Which players can join each other comes from the game’s own text (Core Keeper 1.3.0.6): the “Multiplayer connectivity” setting (Steam only, Epic only, GOG only, Microsoft only, All PC players) and the in-game patch note “The game currently does not support crossplay between PC and consoles.” Release dates, player counts and prices come from the platform stores and the publisher’s launch announcements.
More on platforms and multiplayer
Unless a note on the page says otherwise, numbers are read from the game files of Core Keeper 1.3.0.6 (prefabs, configuration files, drop tables and the game's program) and calculated by this site, including upgraded (per-level) values, sell prices and mana costs. Names and descriptions are the game's official English text. Only reinforcing materials, minion and pet attacks and some food values are based on the Core Keeper Wiki (Fandom) data (CC BY-SA 3.0). Core Keeper and its images are © Pugstorm. This is an unofficial fan site.