Electronic Arts and Hazelight Studios have confirmed It Takes Two will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 this October with a free upgrade for existing Switch owners and new cross-platform Friend's Pass support
Players who already own It Takes Two on Nintendo Switch will not be left behind when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches. Electronic Arts and Hazelight Studios have confirmed that the acclaimed co-op adventure will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 on 15 October 2026, with a free upgrade path for existing Switch players and a new Friend's Pass enabling cross-platform co-op for the first time on Nintendo hardware.
Free Upgrade and Cross-Platform Play
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of It Takes Two is not just a simple port. Owners of the original Switch release will be able to update to the new version at no additional cost, provided they use the same Nintendo Account. The Friend's Pass system, previously available on other platforms, will now allow Switch 2 players to invite friends on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch to join their session, even if those friends do not own the game. This marks a significant expansion of the game's co-op accessibility, removing platform barriers for the first time on a Nintendo system.
Online play will require both players to have a supported platform account and access to the Friend's Pass Free Trial. One player must own the full game for the other to join the complete experience. The upgrade offer is not available in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, and regional release dates differ slightly, with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea receiving the game on 16 October due to time zone differences.
Technical Improvements and Pricing
Hazelight Studios and porting partner Turn Me Up Games have targeted higher resolution, improved frame rates, and richer visual effects for the Nintendo Switch 2 release. While specific technical targets have not been independently verified, the official announcement promises a smoother and more immersive experience compared to the original Switch version. The game will be available for £39.99 GBP (or $39.99 USD) on digital storefronts, matching the standard pricing on other platforms.
It Takes Two's Switch 2 release follows a pattern of major franchises arriving on Nintendo's next-generation hardware in October, as seen with the LEGO Harry Potter Collection reported earlier. The timing positions It Takes Two as a headline co-op title for the platform's launch window, with the added benefit of cross-play and a no-cost upgrade for existing owners.
Gameplay and Studio Background
It Takes Two remains a strictly co-operative experience, requiring two players to progress through its story-driven platforming and puzzle challenges. Players control Cody and May, a couple transformed into dolls who must work together to repair their fractured relationship. The game's structure is built around varied level design and mechanics that demand communication and teamwork, with each stage introducing new gameplay twists.
Hazelight Studios, led by Josef Fares, has established a reputation for narrative-driven co-op games, previously releasing Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out. Turn Me Up Games, responsible for the Switch 2 port, specialises in platform optimisation and has contributed to multiple award-winning projects across the industry.
Access Conditions and Regional Limitations
To redeem the free upgrade, players must own It Takes Two on Nintendo Switch under the same Nintendo Account and access the Nintendo eShop or the in-game offer screen on Switch 2. The offer is not available in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, or Taiwan due to regional restrictions. Online play requires an internet connection, a Nintendo Account, and access to the Nintendo eShop. Friend's Pass functionality depends on installation of the free trial and a supported platform account.
Physical and digital editions are priced identically, and the game is already available on Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Origin, EA App, and Steam. No additional content or exclusive features have been announced for the Switch 2 version beyond technical improvements and expanded cross-play.
Cross-platform play, often referred to as cross-play, allows players on different hardware to join the same online session. In the case of It Takes Two, this means a Switch 2 player can invite a friend on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC to play together, provided one owns the full game and the other uses the Friend's Pass. Cross-play removes traditional platform barriers, but it relies on both technical implementation and publisher support. Not all games or platforms offer cross-play, and features may be limited by region, account requirements, or online infrastructure.
