Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Switch 2 to ship on 64GB card with both Switch 1 game and upgrade pack; more character trailers
The Nintendo Switch 2 is retro-compatible with (almost) all Nintendo Switch games, but some games will be getting a “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” that includes various performance and resolution upgrades (and sometimes even additional content). That’s the case of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, which launches simultaneously on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
However, due to conflicting reports from various sources, there was (and still is) some confusion as to what is on the card. For Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, the message has always been clear: everything is on the card. However, confusion persisted, which is why Marvelous Europe felt the need to share some clarifications via a FAQ post on its blog.
This post reveals that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Nintendo Switch 2 will ship on a red 64GB game card. Said card includes the following:
- the full Nintendo Switch 1 version of the game
- the upgrade pack (which does NOT need to be downloaded separately)
Naturally, players will have to download the inevitable Day One update and any post-launch updates (like most modern games), but if you buy the game on Nintendo Switch 2, you will effectively be able to start playing the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition right away without any additional download.
However, in trying to clarify things, Marvelous Europe appears to have added to the confusion with this paragraph:
There’s no need to download the full game: simply insert the card into either a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 console, and the correct version will launch automatically.
The wording makes it sound like you can insert the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Card into a Nintendo Switch 1 and play the Nintendo Switch 1 version, but this should not be possible as the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cards have a small indent at the bottom to prevent users from doing just that.
Here, Marvelous Europe most likely meant that when inserting the Nintendo Switch 2 Game Card in your Nintendo Switch 2, the game will automatically start in “Nintendo Switch 2 mode”, without having to do anything (like manually installing the upgrade from the card).
In any case, we will update this post as soon as we have further confirmation on this matter!
Speaking of the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade, here’s what players can expect when playing Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Nintendo Switch 2 with the upgrade pack
- Higher resolution visuals for a crisper, more immersive world,
- Faster frame rates for smoother gameplay,
- Support for the Joy-Con 2 controllers’ new mouse functionality, which brings greater precision and flexibility to village-building.
The Upgrade Pack lets you upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game. It enables console-specific enhancements and ensures your save data carries over between versions.
It’s included on the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game card and available separately from the Nintendo eShop if you own the Nintendo Switch version.
If you own the Nintendo Switch version, you can obtain an upgrade pass separately from the Nintendo eShop.
Of course, you will also be able to play the Nintendo Switch 1 version on your Nintendo Switch 2 without the upgrade pack, but you will then be limited to Nintendo Switch 1 features and visuals. But if you change your mind and want the upgrade pack after all, you will be able to purchase it separately on the Nintendo eShop for €10 / £10 / A$15 (again, you don’t need to purchase it if you directly bought the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition).
The FAQ post also includes information about the Physical Limited Edition, which will only be available for Nintendo Switch 1 due to timing constraints. Click here to check it out!
Finally, here’s the latest round of character trailers:
- Ikaruga (voiced by Yuusuke Kobayashi in Japanese):
A mystic from the capital who leads the Jingasa Corps. Ikaruga is mild-mannered by nature, but when his personal goals are at stake, he stops at nothing to achieve them.
- Cuilang (voiced by Kengo Kawanishi in Japanese):
Cuilang is a mechanical expert who lives in Autumn Village. Although he speaks little and socializes even less, the other villagers can always rely on him, and he never turns away a soul in need.
- Pilika (voiced by Aoi Koga in Japanese):
Pilika is a quiet, plain-spoken hunter who hails from Azuma’s far north. Her hunting skills know no peer, and she feels deep respect for every living thing.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
