Starsand Island on Switch 2: Price, Size, Review, Patches

Starsand Island is available on Nintendo Switch 2 — and only Switch 2. The digital version released on August 18, 2026, the same day as the PC, PS5 and Xbox builds, at $39.99 with a 20% launch discount that Nintendo’s store shows running until September 14, 2026. This page gathers the Switch 2 facts in one place: download size, player counts, online requirements, how inviting friends works on Nintendo’s platform, the physical editions, what the one professional review said, and how patches reach the console.

If you are still deciding between platforms, the release date and platforms overview compares all of them side by side.

Switch 2 version at a glance

There is no Switch 1 version

Search results for “starsand island switch” mix up two things. In April 2025 the developer announced console ports for “PS5, Xbox Series and Switch”. When the console release actually happened in August 2026, the Nintendo platform was Switch 2 exclusively: Nintendo’s US store lists only a Switch 2 product, the physical Day 1 Edition is a Switch 2 SKU, and launch coverage in August 2026 names Switch 2 only. One review aggregator still shows “Nintendo Switch” in its platform column; treat that as a stale database entry, not a hidden Switch 1 build. If you own the original Switch, the game will not run on it.

Online play and inviting friends

Multiplayer on Switch 2 uses the same host-island system as every other platform: up to four players visit one host’s island, and everyone keeps their own save. Two Nintendo-specific points:

• You need an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play online.
• The developer’s August 17 launch post tells Switch 2 hosts to set the island access mode to Password Required in order to invite friends. The other two modes (“Anyone Can Join” and “Request to Join”) exist, but password is the route the developer recommends on Nintendo hardware.

There is no cross-platform multiplayer. A Switch 2 player can only join other Switch 2 players. The developer says it is looking into crossplay but has no date. The mechanics (resource permissions, Multiplayer Coins, what carries over) are covered in the multiplayer guide.

Physical edition details

Japan (August 20, 2026). Boxed PS5 and Switch 2 copies shipped two days after the digital launch, priced ¥7,018 including tax. The retail release is handled by Game Source Entertainment; the early-purchase bonus is a limited white sports car. The Japanese barcode (JAN) on retailer listings is 4580694046646.

North America and Europe (November 12, 2026). Sold as the “Day 1 Edition” for Switch 2 at $39.99 / €44.99 / £39.99 with pre-orders already open; it includes an exclusive “Aetheris” supercar. Retailer listings carry UPC 810136675658 and name Game Source Entertainment as manufacturer — that publisher attribution and the claim that the Switch 2 version ships on a physical game card each come from a single retailer listing, so treat them as unconfirmed as of August 23, 2026 until the box is in hand. (People searching for an “ISBN” are usually after this barcode; games use UPC/JAN codes, not ISBNs.)

Whether the November box contains any launch-day patch is not something any source states yet.

The review: CGMagazine, 4.5/10

Only one professional outlet had reviewed the Switch 2 version by August 23, 2026. CGMagazine (Jordan Biordi, published August 17) gave it 4.5/10, describing it as one of the most slapdash ports the reviewer had encountered. The review was written in the console’s Performance Mode and was syndicated into the game’s own Steam news feed, so it is easy to find. Metacritic lists the Switch 2 version as “tbd” with one negative review; OpenCritic folds it into a cross-platform average of 75 that is dominated by PC and PS5 scores.

For contrast, the PS5 version scored 7/10 at Push Square and averages 70 on Metacritic, and the PC version averages 68. A broader roundup is on our review page. The takeaway for Switch 2 buyers: the game content is identical, but the technical state of the port at launch was judged well below the other versions.

Patches on Switch 2

The developer stated on August 17 that the PC version is updated first and console builds follow after each platform’s review process, with patch notes published for every update. The first post-launch patch, 1.08.3916, went live on PC on August 20, 2026 (multiplayer unlock fix, save-loading fix, 17 general fixes). As of August 23 there is no official statement on when that build reaches Switch 2, so the honest answer to “is there a Switch 2 patch yet” is: the PC patch exists, the console rollout date is not published. Track it on the patch notes page, which we update as console builds are confirmed.

Pre-orders and what you get

Digital pre-orders ended when the game launched; you simply buy it from the eShop now. Physical pre-orders for the November Day 1 Edition are open at major retailers. There is no pre-order bonus for the digital version beyond the launch discount. Paid and free DLC on Switch 2 mirrors the other platforms — the DLC and editions page lists each pack.

Is Starsand Island on Switch 1?

No. It runs only on Nintendo Switch 2. The 2025 “Switch” announcement turned into the Switch 2 version, and Nintendo’s store lists no original-Switch product.

How big is Starsand Island on Switch 2?

The eShop lists a 9.7 GB download. For comparison, Steam asks for 20 GB of free space on PC.

Does Switch 2 need Nintendo Switch Online?

Only for multiplayer. Solo play does not require a subscription; joining or hosting a four-player island does.

Is the Switch 2 version worth buying?

Content-wise it is the same game. Technically, the only critic review at launch (CGMagazine, 4.5/10) was harsh about the port’s performance. If you have a PC or PS5 option, the sources we have point that way; if Switch 2 is your only platform, wait for the console patch schedule to firm up.

Related guides

• Release date and platforms overview
• PS5 guide
• Multiplayer and co-op guide
• Patch notes and update history
• Review roundup

Last reviewed: August 23, 2026 — sources: Nintendo eShop listing, official Steam announcements (Aug 17 and Aug 20), retailer pre-order pages, CGMagazine review.