Why ‘NBA Playgrounds’ Update Supersedes Original Nintendo Switch Game

Saber Interactive’s “NBA Playgrounds” has a new update, which is available for a promotional price of $10. Interestingly, players of the original game that was launched on Nintendo’s eShop store last May can get the update for free.

Last Thursday, “NBA Playgrounds: Enhanced Edition” was added to the eShop to the delight of fans. However, there’s a big catch on why the update is named “Enhanced Edition.” This apparently supersedes the original “NBA Playgrounds” game, so it comes with the same game with the addition of new content and several patches.

For Nintendo Switch users who haven’t downloaded the original “NBA Playgrounds” from the time it was launched last May 9, 2017 until this past Thursday, Jan. 4; they’ll be seeing the “Enhanced Edition” on the eShop store with its promo price of $9.99. For those who have the original game though, they’ll be seeing the new release as an update that costs $0.

Developer Saber Interactive has since confirmed via Facebook that “NBA Playgrounds: Enhanced Edition” is the original game’s “upgrade.” It also indicated that the update includes all free post-launch content released for the original game thus far. “Enhanced Edition” is also said to come with over 100 new players from different teams including Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Steve Nash.

“NBA Playgrounds: Enhanced Edition” also comes with second team jerseys, a revamped rebounding system, a three-point contest mode with online play, and many more. Ars Technica also pointed out that with the new update, players are given the ability to pay $10 and accelerate the unlock of the NBA stars — something that was previously only possible via loot boxes. Furthermore, an additional $10 DLC pack will add more courts and NBA players to the game.

Saber is also encouraging players to delete the original version from their console without erasing the first version’s save file. By doing so, players can pick up where they left of in the original game when they jump into playing the “Enhanced Edition.” The update shaves nearly 2GB off the install size, which is a good thing for those who keep track of their console’s memory.

It’s a bit confusing when choosing between the icons of the original game and the update when deleting the former. Both have the same game icons in the eShop. The only difference is the “Enhanced Edition” has a golden frame surrounding it. Saber placed the golden frame to ensure that players could identify the new version from the old version.

“NBA Playgrounds: Enhanced Edition” is now available on the Nintendo Switch’s eShop for just $9.99. The 50 percent off sale will last until next Thursday, Jan. 18, so interested players are encouraged to purchase it as soon as possible. Those who bought the original version before June 10, 2017 are getting a free copy of 2D fighting game “Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn” sometime later this year, according to GameSpot.