Hollow Knight: Silksong on Nintendo Switch Everything Confirmed So Far

Seven years after Hollow Knight became a cult favorite on Switch, Team Cherry finally released its sequel — and this time, you’re not playing as the silent Knight. Hollow Knight: Silksong puts you in control of Hornet, a fan-favorite character from the first game, as she’s swept away to a new, unfamiliar kingdom. If you’ve been waiting since the 2019 announcement, here’s a clear rundown of what’s actually confirmed about the Switch version, without the hype.

Game Information

Detail	Information
Game Title	Hollow Knight: Silksong
Platform	Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Release Date	September 4, 2025 (digital); physical Switch/Switch 2 release announced for early 2026, exact date not yet confirmed
Genre	Metroidvania / 2D Action-Platformer
Developer	Team Cherry
Publisher	Team Cherry
File Size	Not officially confirmed
Version/Update	Not specified in available source material
Languages	Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, American English

About the Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong is the direct sequel to 2017’s Hollow Knight, but it isn’t a simple retread. Instead of the original’s silent protagonist, you take control of Hornet — the princess-protector of Hallownest and a memorable boss/ally from the first game. After being captured and carried off to a new land called Pharloom, Hornet has to fight, climb, and explore her way through an entirely fresh insect kingdom.

The core idea is the same as its predecessor: a hand-drawn 2D world full of secrets, tough enemies, and a slow unraveling of lore as you explore. But Hornet plays differently from the Knight — she’s faster and more acrobatic, which changes how combat and platforming feel even though the genre (Metroidvania) hasn’t changed.

Visit More Games: Graveyard Keeper 2 Review

Key Features

• Over 40 bosses: A large roster of unique boss fights means combat encounters are rarely repeated, giving players a steady stream of new patterns to learn rather than reused fights padded out for length.
• Steel Soul Mode: An optional harder difficulty mode for players who finish the main game and want an added permadeath-style challenge, rather than just replaying the same content on Normal.
• Original orchestral score by Christopher Larkin: The same composer from Hollow Knight returns, meaning the music aims for the same atmospheric, melancholic tone rather than a generic soundtrack.
• Cross-platform day-one release: Silksong launched simultaneously on Switch alongside PC and other consoles, so Switch players weren’t left waiting for a delayed port.
• Nintendo Switch 2 enhancements: The Switch 2 Edition supports a 120Hz TV mode, which can make on-screen movement and combat feel smoother for players who own the newer hardware.

Gameplay and Player Experience

Based on the confirmed details, Silksong keeps the same basic gameplay loop as Hollow Knight: you explore a large connected map, fight enemies and bosses, and gradually unlock new movement abilities that open up previously inaccessible areas — the standard Metroidvania structure. Hornet’s playstyle emphasizes more aggressive, mobile combat compared to the Knight’s more grounded approach in the original game.

For players who want more than one difficulty option, Steel Soul Mode is available as an extra challenge layer once the base game is completed, rather than something forced on you from the start. Beyond that, specific details about weapon types, upgrade systems, or side content aren’t confirmed in the source material provided, so they’re left out here rather than guessed at.

Platform and Availability

Hollow Knight: Silksong is available digitally on the Nintendo eShop for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. A separate Switch 2 Edition takes advantage of the newer hardware’s 120Hz TV mode. A physical release for Switch and Switch 2 was announced for early 2026, though an exact date hasn’t been confirmed as of this writing.

To check current pricing, confirm the physical release date, or purchase the game, visit the official Nintendo eShop listing or Team Cherry’s official Silksong website.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I play as the Knight again in Silksong?
No. You play as Hornet, a character introduced in the original Hollow Knight, who takes the lead role this time.

2. Is Hollow Knight: Silksong available on the original Nintendo Switch, or only Switch 2?
It’s available on both. The Switch 2 version, called the Switch 2 Edition, adds a 120Hz TV mode option not present on the original hardware.

3. Is there a physical copy for Switch?
Yes, a physical release for Switch and Switch 2 has been announced for early 2026, though the exact release date wasn’t confirmed at the time of writing.

4. Do I need to have played the first Hollow Knight to understand Silksong?
This isn’t specified in the available source material, so it can’t be confirmed either way here. It’s best to check official game descriptions or reviews for story-continuity details.

5. What extra challenge does Silksong offer for experienced players?
Steel Soul Mode, an optional harder mode available once you’ve completed the main game.

Final Overview Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong brings the Metroidvania formula that made the original a Switch favorite back with a new lead character, a new kingdom to explore, over 40 confirmed boss fights, and an optional Steel Soul challenge mode for players who want more. With both a standard Switch release and Switch 2-specific enhancements, plus a physical version on the way in early 2026, it’s shaping up to be a relevant pickup for fans of the first game and newcomers interested in tight, exploration-driven 2D combat. Players who enjoyed Hollow Knight’s atmosphere and difficulty will likely find the most to sink into here, though some technical specifics — file size and exact patch version — remain unconfirmed as of this writing.