Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition — 120Hz, Free Upgrade, and Silksong Questions Answered
Is the Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition 120Hz? Yes — native 4K docked, 1080p handheld, and optional 120fps, free for existing owners. Plus: Silksong's Switch 2 upgrade, whether to play Hollow Knight first, and every cross-game question.
Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition — 120Hz, Free Upgrade, and Silksong Questions Answered
Yes — the Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition supports 120Hz (optional 120fps mode) along with native 4K resolution when docked and 1080p in handheld mode — and it's a free upgrade for anyone who already owns the game. Team Cherry shadow-dropped the announcement in 2026 alongside news for the whole franchise. This guide answers the Switch 2 question in full, covers Silksong's own Switch 2 upgrade, and then tackles the cross-game questions players actually ask ("should I play Hollow Knight first?", "is it multiplayer?", "how many games are there?").
Is the Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition Really 120Hz?
Yes. The Switch 2 Edition of Hollow Knight is built around performance, not content:
- Docked: native 4K resolution, with an optional 120fps mode (if your TV supports it)
- Handheld: 1080p native (the original Switch version ran at a lower resolution)
- Frame-rate modes: you choose between high resolution and high frame rate — the 120fps option is exactly what the "120 Hz" search term is about, and it's the headline feature
- Silksong engine benefits: the port uses Silksong-era tech improvements (the same engine work that went into Silksong), meaning faster loading and cleaner effects than the 2017 original
Hands-on reports (Nintendo Life tested the upgrade directly) confirm the 4K/120fps claims hold in practice — Hollow Knight at 120Hz is one of the smoothest-feeling metroidvanias you can play on the platform.
Is It a Free Upgrade?
Yes — completely free. If you already own Hollow Knight on Nintendo Switch (or buy the original Switch version), the Switch 2 Edition is a free upgrade — no re-purchase, no "Switch 2 tax." This matches Team Cherry's franchise-wide policy: the studio has never charged for an upgrade path, and Silksong (below) gets the same treatment.
Because the upgrade is tied to your Nintendo account ownership, buy Hollow Knight from the eShop (or physical cart). Third-party key resellers selling "Switch 2 Edition codes" are not official and don't guarantee the upgrade path.
Silksong's Switch 2 Edition (Also Free, Also 120Hz)
The same logic applies to Hollow Knight: Silksong:
- Free Switch 2 Edition upgrade at launch — announced before the game even shipped
- 120Hz mode included at no extra cost — the "you don't have to pay extra for 120Hz" headline from the announcement
- Silksong was built for the modern engine, so its Switch 2 version runs 4K docked/1080p handheld with the 120fps option, just like the Hollow Knight port
For Switch 2 owners, the franchise is now fully "one purchase, best experience on the new hardware" — no reason to wait for a re-release.
Should You Play Hollow Knight Before Silksong?
The honest answer: play Hollow Knight first. Two reasons:
- Story: Silksong's protagonist is Hornet — a character introduced and developed across Hollow Knight's story (she appears repeatedly as a boss and ally). Her arc in Silksong lands much harder if you know what she fought for in the original. Silksong is not a prequel; it's a direct continuation of the world, set in the new kingdom of Pharloom.
- Difficulty/mechanics: Silksong is faster and mechanically denser (crafting, tools, silk economy). The original is the gentler on-ramp — the community consensus is that Hollow Knight → Silksong is the natural order, and going backwards feels clunky.
Is Silksong a prequel?
No. Silksong takes place after Hollow Knight's events, in the kingdom of Pharloom. Hornet is the same character; the Knight's story (and its multiple endings) happened before. Some fans misread "prequel" because Pharloom is new — it isn't; the timeline is sequential.
Is Hollow Knight Multiplayer?
No — both games are strictly single-player. Hollow Knight has no co-op, no online mode, and no multiplayer content (the DLC didn't add any either). The closest thing is the competitive/speedrun scene, which is community-run, not in-game.
How Many Hollow Knight Games Are There?
The franchise currently has:
- Hollow Knight (2017) — the original, on every platform
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025) — the standalone sequel starring Hornet
- Hungry Knight (2012) — the prototype/micro-game that predates everything, made for a game jam; technically the franchise's origin, not a real entry
- Sea of Sorrow — the free Silksong DLC expansion (2026, see our DLC guide)
So: two full games (plus free expansions), one jam prototype.
What's Different About Silksong If You're a Hollow Knight Veteran
The most-searched "should I play" follow-up is about how the games differ:
| Aspect | Hollow Knight | Silksong |
|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | The Knight (silent) | Hornet (talks, has a name) |
| Resource | Soul (refills by hitting) | Silk (regenerates + enemy drops) |
| Build system | Charms | Tools + Crests (crafting) |
| Movement | Simple, heavy | Faster, airier (Silk Soar, wall-skips) |
| World | Hallownest (ruins) | Pharloom (living kingdom) |
| Length | ~27h main | Comparable or larger |
Veteran advice: unlearn the Knight's heavy feel. Hornet is lighter, faster, and silk-based — the game wants you to stay airborne in ways the original never did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hollow Knight Switch 2 Edition 120Hz?
Yes — optional 120fps mode, with native 4K docked and 1080p handheld. Free for existing owners.
Is the Switch 2 Edition of Hollow Knight free?
Yes. Anyone who owns Hollow Knight on Switch gets the Switch 2 Edition as a free upgrade. Silksong's Switch 2 edition is likewise free with 120Hz included.
Can I play Silksong without playing Hollow Knight?
Technically yes, but it's strongly recommended to play Hollow Knight first — Silksong continues Hornet's story and the sequel assumes you know the world and its characters.
Is Silksong a prequel to Hollow Knight?
No — it's a sequel. It takes place after Hollow Knight's events in the new kingdom of Pharloom.
Is Hollow Knight multiplayer?
No. Both Hollow Knight and Silksong are single-player only.
Related guides: How Long Is Hollow Knight · Hollow Knight Platforms · Silksong Characters & NPCs
Last updated: August 11, 2026.