Team Cherry has brought the original Hollow Knight to Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s not just a simple re-release. The acclaimed indie metroidvania now has native versions built for Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, alongside an upgraded release for other current platforms. If you’ve been looking for the best way to revisit Hallownest, or you’ve been waiting for the most polished version to jump in for the first time, this update makes now a great moment to play.
Hollow Knight was already available on Windows PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, but the new launch expands its footprint with dedicated ports for the latest console hardware. At the same time, updates are rolling out across existing platforms as well, meaning longtime players aren’t left behind.
One of the biggest improvements is for PC players: the update adds full 21:9 and 16:10 support, giving ultrawide and taller aspect-ratio displays a more natural fit. Beyond that, the patch also includes a range of refinements and tweaks, plus under-the-hood improvements that have been brought over from Hollow Knight: Silksong. While the details focus on polish, the headline is clear: Hollow Knight is now smoother, sharper, and more up to date across the board.
For anyone who missed it the first time, Hollow Knight is a classically styled 2D action-adventure set in a vast, interconnected world. You descend into a ruined kingdom filled with twisting caverns, ancient cities, and hostile wastelands, uncovering secrets as you battle tainted creatures and encounter strange, memorable bugs along the way. It’s known for its tight combat, moody atmosphere, and rewarding exploration that encourages you to get lost, learn the map, and gradually master the dangers beneath the surface.
This release also highlights one of Hollow Knight’s standout values: it includes free content packs that expand the experience with additional quests, boss battles, upgrades, music, and secrets. Hidden Dreams introduces powerful new foes, new boss fights, upgrades, and fresh music. The Grimm Troupe adds a major questline that begins with lighting the Nightmare Lantern and draws you into a new set of boss fights, charms, enemies, and allies. Lifeblood brings new mapping tools, an additional boss encounter, upgraded bosses, new music, and extra hidden surprises. Godmaster challenges you to take on tougher battles with new characters, quests, boss fights, and more secrets tucked away for dedicated players.
At its core, Hollow Knight blends classic side-scrolling action with modern design. Hallownest is open and expansive, letting you choose your routes, decide which threats to face, and carve your own path through the world. As you progress, you evolve with new skills and abilities, from spells that harness Soul to movement powers that open previously unreachable areas, adding that signature metroidvania sense of discovery. Charms let you customize your build with unusual effects and playstyle shifts, making different loadouts feel meaningfully distinct.
There’s also an enormous amount of combat content. You’ll face more than 140 enemies and take on 30 major bosses, ranging from frantic duels to endurance-style challenges that test everything you’ve learned. Exploration is supported by deep mapping tools, including items like compasses, quills, maps, and pins that help you understand the kingdom’s winding layouts without removing the tension of venturing into the unknown. And tying it all together is the haunting, intimate soundtrack composed by Christopher Larkin, one of the game’s most praised elements for shaping its tone and emotional weight.
With native Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S releases now available and platform-wide updates live, Hollow Knight’s definitive experience has never been more accessible. Whether you’re chasing 100% completion, preparing your skills for what’s next in the series, or simply ready to discover why this indie classic became a genre benchmark, this enhanced release is a strong reason to return to Hallownest.
