The digital version offers immediate access to the game without the need for cartridges. Furthermore, purchasing the game officially ensures you receive automatic updates via Nintendo's servers.
However, the arrival of the and the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 changed everything. Those who already owned No Man’s Sky on the original Switch were offered a free next-gen upgrade via the eShop. No Man-s Sky Switch NSP XCI -Update- -eShop-
Here is the standard workflow for applying a No Man's Sky update: The digital version offers immediate access to the
Unlike many Switch games that release and are "finished," No Man's Sky is a live-service title. If you only download a base XCI or NSP that was dumped in 2022, you are missing years of free expansion. No Man-s Sky Switch NSP XCI -Update- -eShop-