Two separate Nintendo versions
The original Switch and the Switch 2 each have their own product page on Nintendo's store. That confirms Switch 2 is not the only Nintendo version, and that original Switch owners have a version of their own. The publisher's platform list agrees by naming both systems. Both listings show the same scheduled date.
Because the listings are separate products, treat them as two purchases unless Nintendo or the publisher says otherwise. We found no official upgrade pack or cross-buy offer. Check the exact product name and system before you pay. The eShop page shows which console each version is for.
Release date on Nintendo systems
Both Nintendo listings show October 23, 2026, the same day as PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo's Switch 2 listing displays the date in its own store fields, which independently supports the publisher's announcement. The game had not launched at the time of our October 22 check. No separate Nintendo launch date was announced.
The Switch 2 listing also shows a local preorder deadline. That deadline is separate from the release date and from the time the game unlocks. Read it on your regional store page if you plan to preorder. No single worldwide unlock hour was published.
Play modes and estimated file sizes
Nintendo lists TV, tabletop and handheld play for the game. Its listings give estimated download sizes, which we show below as estimates rather than measured installs. Leave extra free space for future updates. Patches after launch may increase the size.
We did not collect frame rate, resolution or battery-life measurements for either system. Shared publisher text describes the same content on both versions, but that does not prove identical technical performance. Hands-on testing after launch is needed before comparing them. We will add those results when we have them.
| Version | Estimated size | Play modes |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | 1.2 GB | TV, tabletop, handheld |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 2.6 GB | TV, tabletop, handheld |
Which Nintendo version should you buy?
If you only own an original Switch, the Switch version is the one listed for your system. If you own a Switch 2, the Switch 2 listing is the version made for that console. Without a verified upgrade path, buying the version that matches your console is the safe choice. Do not buy both expecting a discount unless the store states one.
The Switch listing we checked is on Nintendo's Canadian store, so its prices are in Canadian dollars. Do not compare those prices directly with US listings. Check your own regional eShop for the current price and edition. Regional stores may also offer different bundles.
Physical copies and editions
A boxed product does not always contain the full game on the cartridge. Read the box or the retailer's description to see whether a download is required. We did not verify a specific physical Switch release in our research. Treat any retail listing with care until its contents are clear.
On other consoles the Feral Edition adds the Prophecy Pack cosmetics to the base game. Check whether your Nintendo store offers the same bundle before assuming it does. The digital preorder bonus, the Purrfect Look Pack, applies to digital preorders according to the publisher. Retail preorders may follow different rules.
What you play on Switch
The game content is described the same way on every platform. You create an original cat, choose ThunderClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan or WindClan, and follow that Clan's story in the Lake Territories. Prophecy, Defender and Skirmish are the three listed modes. Hunting, exploration, quests and crafting are part of daily Clan life.
Combat is turn-based, with up to three cats on each side and 75 unlockable moves. Online features such as Skirmish battles and camp visits are asynchronous. No local or split-screen multiplayer was verified for the Nintendo versions. Handheld play suits the turn-based pace, but we have not tested it.
Trailers that mention Switch
The official release date trailer descriptions from IGN and GameStop name both Nintendo platforms. They are promotional uploads of the same announcement, not hardware comparisons. Captions were not retrievable, so we rely on the written descriptions only. Visual quality in a trailer does not show how the Switch version runs.
No Switch-specific performance video was verified. Treat any frame-rate claims you see before launch with caution. We will add tested information after the October 23 release. Until then, the Nintendo listings are the most reliable source.
Quick facts for Nintendo players
The table below summarizes what the two Nintendo listings and the publisher confirm. Sizes are Nintendo's estimates, and the date is the scheduled launch. We left prices out because the Switch listing we checked is Canadian. Your regional eShop will show the correct price.
| Detail | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 23, 2026 | October 23, 2026 |
| Estimated size | 1.2 GB | 2.6 GB |
| Play modes | TV, tabletop, handheld | TV, tabletop, handheld |
| Upgrade path | Not verified | Not verified |
Who makes the game
The game is developed by Bamtang Games and published by Trailmark Games. It is inspired by Erin Hunter's Warriors books and set in the Lake Territories. The official media copyright lines name Trailmark Games LLC and Working Partners Ltd, a Coolabi company. Check for these names to confirm you have the right eShop listing.
Several other Warrior Cats games and fan projects exist, some on other platforms. They have different developers and different features. Clans of the Forest is a structured RPG with Clan campaigns and turn-based battles. That description should match the Nintendo listing you buy from.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free upgrade from Switch to Switch 2?
- No upgrade path was verified. The two versions have separate listings. Check Nintendo's store for any official upgrade offer.
- How big is the download on Switch?
- Nintendo estimates about 1.2 GB for Switch and 2.6 GB for Switch 2. These are store estimates, not measured installs. Leave extra space for updates.
- Can I play in handheld mode?
- Yes, Nintendo lists TV, tabletop and handheld play. Battery life and performance were not tested. We will add hands-on notes after launch.
- Does the Switch version have online features?
- The game's online features are asynchronous Skirmish battles, camp visits and helping friends with items or resources. They are described the same way across platforms. Whether a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required was not verified.
- Which Clans can I play on Switch?
- All four Clans are part of the game on every platform: ThunderClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan and WindClan. Each has its own story campaign. The Nintendo listings describe the same content as the other stores.
Sources and further reading
- Nintendo Switch listing — Nintendo (Canada)
- Nintendo Switch 2 listing — Nintendo (US)
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Trailmark Games
- Feral Edition — PlayStation Store
- Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest — Steam
- Official Release Date Trailer — IGN on YouTube (September 1, 2026)
- Release Date Trailer — GameStop on YouTube (September 1, 2026)