After seven years of anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally launched, and the response has been nothing short of extraordinary. Within hours of release on September 4, 2025, the game surged to over 535,000 concurrent players on Steam, shattering the original Hollow Knight’s all time peak by nearly eightfold. Demand was so intense that digital storefronts across multiple platforms, including the Nintendo eShop, experienced slowdowns or outright crashes as players rushed to purchase and download the sequel. While Team Cherry has yet to release official sales figures, the game has topped the Nintendo eShop charts, claimed the number one spot on Steam’s global best seller list, and generated millions in revenue within hours of launch.
One of the most talked-about aspects of Silksong’s release has been its price. Team Cherry set the game at $19.99/€19.99, only slightly higher than the original’s $15 launch price, despite the sequel’s expanded scope and years of development5. Many fans have praised the decision as a refreshing counterpoint to the industry trend of rising prices, with some even buying multiple copies in support. However, the move has sparked debate among indie developers, some of whom worry that such a low price for a high profile, content rich indie could skew consumer expectations and make it harder for smaller studios to price their own long-term projects sustainably6. The discussion has highlighted the unique position Team Cherry occupies, financially secure from the first game’s success and able to prioritize accessibility over maximizing profit.
On Nintendo platforms, Silksong has made an equally strong impression. The game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second and 720p on the original Switch, with crisp visuals that shine on the OLED model. On Nintendo Switch 2, players can choose between 4K resolution at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps when docked, and enjoy 1080p at 120fps in handheld mode. Load times are significantly faster on the newer hardware, and subtle visual enhancements, from richer particle effects to sharper environmental detail, make Pharloom’s intricate world even more immersive. Both versions maintain the responsive controls and atmospheric presentation that define the series, with the Switch 2 upgrade available at no extra cost for existing owners.
As you can see, Nintendo’s hybrid consoles are the ideal home for Silksong. The original Hollow Knight built much of its audience on Switch, where the ability to explore Hallownest on the go became a defining part of the experience. Silksong continues that tradition, offering the flexibility to dive into quick sessions in handheld mode or savor the game’s lush art and music on a big screen. Combined with the platform’s strong indie ecosystem and the sequel’s flawless performance, it’s easy to see why Nintendo players have embraced Silksong as both a technical showcase and a perfect fit for portable, immersive play. With record-breaking engagement, a pricing decision that has reignited industry debate, and a polished experience across Nintendo hardware, Silksong’s launch is already one of the most significant indie releases of the decade.
