Goat Simulator 3: Starter Edition ...
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Goat Simulator 3 on Switch 2: Upgrade Guide and What's New

Own Goat Simulator 3 on Switch 1? Get 70% off the Switch 2 version, plus everything new in the Buck to the Future Pack.

Nuwel

Nuwel

Updated Apr 13, 2026

Goat Simulator 3: Starter Edition ...

Goat Simulator 3 has landed on Switch 2, and Coffee Stain brought it over with a loyalty discount that actually matters. If you already own the Switch 1 version digitally, you pay $8.99 instead of the full $29.99, which works out to 70% off. That's a rare gesture in an era where cross-gen upgrades tend to cost as much as a new game. Here's everything you need to know before deciding whether to upgrade.

Is the Switch 2 version worth upgrading to?

The short answer: yes, if you played the Switch 1 version and found it rough. According to community discussion reported by Nintendo Life, the original Switch release never received the same free updates and DLC expansions that other platform versions got. Playing it via backwards compatibility on Switch 2 does not fix that content gap, and performance reportedly remains uneven in that mode.

The Switch 2 native version brings the game up to parity with other platforms, which means access to the full slate of expansions, including Multiverse of Nonsense, Baadlands Furry Road, Hocus Pocus Pack, and Super Duper Pack. Those are all sold separately, but at least the base game now supports them.

Open world goat chaos

Open world goat chaos

What does the Buck to the Future Pack include?

The newly announced Buck to the Future Pack is the headline addition alongside the Switch 2 launch. At $7.99, it adds:

  • 22 new gear items
  • The Robocock costume
  • Gravity manipulation mechanics
  • The ability to "gigantify" NPCs in the open world

That last feature, gigantifying NPCs, is the kind of absurd sandbox tool that fits Goat Simulator 3's identity perfectly. Gravity manipulation similarly opens up new ways to break the game in entertaining directions.

How does the pricing break down?

Here's a clear look at what you'll spend depending on your situation:

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One thing worth flagging: DLC purchased on Switch 1 does not carry over. According to community discussion on Nintendo Life, previously bought expansions like the Digital Downgrade pack will need to be repurchased at full price on Switch 2. There is no cross-version DLC discount, only the base game loyalty pricing.

Does Goat Simulator 3 on Switch 2 support local co-op?

Yes. The Switch 2 version includes Gameshare, which means two players can link up locally with just one copy of the game. You do not need a second purchase to play co-op with someone nearby. This is available as standard on the Switch 2 version.

Gameshare local co-op setup

Gameshare local co-op setup

What's the verdict?

For digital Switch 1 owners, $8.99 for a version that finally matches the PC and console releases is fair. The Switch 1 port was notably behind on content and performance, and backwards compatibility does not close that gap. The Buck to the Future Pack adds genuine sandbox chaos for $7.99 more, and the Gameshare feature makes local co-op accessible without a second purchase.

Physical Switch 1 owners and anyone who bought DLC on Switch 1 are in a worse position. No discount on the base game, no DLC carryover, and no upgrade pack option means the total cost adds up fast. Waiting for a sale on the full Switch 2 package makes more sense in that scenario.

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Guides

updated

April 13th 2026

posted

April 13th 2026