Fans of the acclaimed metroidvania Hollow Knight have been eagerly awaiting news about its sequel, Silksong. Nintendo has finally given players something concrete to hold onto. According to recent Nintendo showcases, Hollow Knight: Silksong will be releasing sometime in 2025, confirming the long-awaited title will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms.
We know the game is coming for Switch 2 and will have a 3-phase plan, where 3rd party developers will release their titles in October-November. That means Silksong we can narrow the release date for the launch of Hallow Knight: Silksong to October 2025 through November 2025.
The announcement appeared briefly in a Nintendo sizzle reel, catching many by surprise after years of relative silence from developer Team Cherry. This confirmation comes as welcome news to the community that has been patiently waiting since Silksong’s initial announcement back in 2019.
The sequel puts players in control of Hornet, a popular character from the original game, as she explores new kingdoms with her unique moveset and abilities. While specific release date details remain slim, this timeframe gives fans a clearer picture of when they’ll finally get their hands on one of gaming’s most anticipated indie titles.
Silksong Is Finally Coming: What We Know So Far
After years of waiting, radio silence, and a growing mountain of memes, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally set to launch in 2025. Nintendo dropped the news in a brief, no-frills teaser during a recent Direct presentation, confirming that the long-anticipated sequel will arrive sometime this year. While there’s still no exact release date, just having a window is enough to spark excitement across the fanbase.
Originally announced all the way back in February 2019, Silksong has become a kind of gaming unicorn—always on the horizon, never quite in reach. Now, over six years later, it’s officially happening. And from the look of the newest footage, it might’ve been worth the wait.
What’s New in Silksong?
If you’ve played the original Hollow Knight, you already know Team Cherry doesn’t do “standard.” Silksong isn’t just a sequel—it’s a full reimagining. You’ll play as Hornet, a fast, acrobatic character with a completely different move set, new traversal mechanics, and a more vertical, speed-focused style of gameplay.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s confirmed so far:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Playable Character | Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest |
| World | A brand-new kingdom called Pharloom |
| Enemies | 150+ new enemies, each with unique behavior |
| Combat Style | Faster, more agile; mix of melee and acrobatics |
| Crafting System | Collect materials and craft tools to enhance abilities |
| Quests | A more structured questing system, including side quests and challenges |
| Music | New original score by composer Christopher Larkin |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox, PlayStation |
Development Timeline: A Look at the Wait
To appreciate just how long fans have been holding their breath, here’s a quick timeline of major Silksong moments:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 2019 | Silksong officially announced |
| Jun 2022 | Shown at Xbox Showcase; promised “within 12 months” |
| May 2023 | Delayed beyond initial window |
| Apr 2025 | Nintendo confirms 2025 release during Direct |
The delays, while frustrating, may have allowed Team Cherry to double down on polish, balance, and scale. Early hands-on reports from insiders suggest the game plays incredibly smoothly, with refined controls and dense worldbuilding.
Why the Hype?
The original Hollow Knight was a surprise hit. A Kickstarter-funded indie title that quietly launched in 2017, it went on to sell over 3 million copies, gaining critical acclaim for its sprawling world, atmospheric design, and brutal-but-fair combat. It became a benchmark for Metroidvania games—and also set the bar painfully high for its own sequel.
Silksong builds on that legacy but flips the formula:
- Hornet isn’t a blank slate like the Knight—she talks, she has a known backstory.
- Movement is flashier, with wall leaps, air dashes, and long-range attacks.
- The tone is lighter, at least visually. Pharloom is vibrant and sun-drenched, a departure from the gloom of Hallownest.
Release Platforms & Game Pass Status
When it does arrive, Silksong will hit all major platforms. Here’s how it breaks down:
| Platform | Confirmed? | Game Pass? |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | ✅ | ❌ |
| PC (Steam/GOG) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Xbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| PlayStation | ✅ | ❌ |
The Xbox listing still shows the game as a Day One Game Pass title, so subscribers can expect access at launch without buying it outright.
The Fan Response
The reaction online has been predictably explosive. Within minutes of the Nintendo Direct teaser, #Silksong was trending globally. Here are just a few highlights from the community:
“I screamed. Literally screamed. Six years and it’s finally real.” – @BugKnight123
“I can’t believe it. This is the only reason I still have my Switch.” – @SilksongOrBust
“Team Cherry woke up and chose chaos. I’m ready.” – @HornetMain
Memes, theories, and deep-dives into every frame of the new footage are flooding Reddit and Discord. In other words: business as usual in the Silksong fandom.
What Still Isn’t Known
Even with the big reveal, plenty of details remain under wraps. Here’s what fans are still speculating about:
- Exact release date: “2025” is vague, but we know 3rd party games come out in October or later which narrows it to just the final quarter of the year (Q4 2025).
- Price point: No word yet on whether it’ll be $15 like Hollow Knight, or more.
- Pre-order bonuses or editions: Nothing announced.
- Physical release: No physical editions confirmed yet.
Team Cherry is famously tight-lipped, so we may not get more until closer to launch. But for now, the important part is this: Silksong is real, and it’s coming this year.
Key Takeaways
- Hollow Knight: Silksong has been confirmed for a 2025 release window on Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms.
- Team Cherry’s highly anticipated sequel will feature Hornet as the playable character with new abilities and environments to explore.
- The announcement ends years of uncertainty for fans who have been waiting since the game’s initial 2019 reveal.
Anticipating ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ Release
Fans of the beloved metroidvania game have been eagerly tracking news about Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date. Recent Nintendo announcements suggest a 2025 launch window for the highly anticipated sequel.
Evidence from Nintendo Direct
The most recent Nintendo Direct presentation featured a brief but significant clip of Hollow Knight: Silksong. This appearance confirmed what many fans have been waiting to hear – the game will release in 2025. The announcement was subtle, embedded within a showcase of upcoming titles for the Nintendo platforms.
Team Cherry, the developers behind the Hollow Knight series, had previously indicated to Microsoft that they would hit a summer 2022 to summer 2023 window. This timeline has clearly shifted, with 2025 now being the official target.
Many players expressed skepticism about earlier release windows, especially after seeing the game appear in multiple sizzle reels without concrete launch information. The 2025 confirmation represents the most definitive timeline provided thus far.
Implications for Nintendo Switch Platforms
Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on both current Nintendo Switch models and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This cross-generation release strategy ensures that all Nintendo fans can experience the game regardless of which hardware they own.
The game’s appearance in Nintendo Switch 2 promotional materials suggests it may be optimized to take advantage of the new console’s capabilities. This could mean improved visuals or performance compared to the version running on the original Switch.
Microsoft has secured a day-one Game Pass deal for Silksong, but the Nintendo platforms remain crucial for the title’s release strategy. The original Hollow Knight found significant success on the Nintendo Switch, making the platform an important destination for the sequel.
The dual-platform release approach indicates Nintendo’s commitment to supporting both its current and next-generation hardware during the transition period.
Gameplay and Features Overview
Hollow Knight: Silksong brings major innovations to the acclaimed metroidvania formula established in the original game. The sequel transforms Hornet from supporting character to protagonist, introducing new movement mechanics and combat abilities that distinguish it from its predecessor.
Exploring the New Kingdom of Pharloom
Silksong takes place in the vast kingdom of Pharloom, a world distinct from Hallownest found in the original game. This new setting features diverse biomes with unique challenges and secrets to uncover. Players will navigate through lush forests, crumbling citadels, and cavernous depths filled with intricate platforming challenges.
Pharloom is structured vertically, with Hornet beginning at the bottom and working her way upward—a reversal of the downward journey in Hollow Knight. Each area contains its own distinct architecture, inhabitants, and environmental hazards.
The world maintains the hand-drawn art style that fans love, but with enhanced detail and more vibrant environments. Hidden areas, optional challenges, and secret bosses await those willing to explore every corner of this expansive kingdom.
Protagonist and New Enemies
As Hornet, players wield a needle and thread instead of the Knight’s nail from the original game. Hornet features a more acrobatic movement style, emphasizing speed and agility over the deliberate pace of Hollow Knight. Her combat animations are fluid and graceful, reflecting her character’s abilities established in the first game.
New enemy types populate Pharloom, each with unique attack patterns and behaviors. Early gameplay footage shows massive beasts, armored knights, and strange creatures that will challenge players in different ways.
Boss fights appear more dynamic, with multi-phase encounters that take advantage of Hornet’s mobility. These bosses range from corrupted insects to powerful knights serving the kingdom’s mysterious rulers.
Silksong Gameplay Mechanics
Silksong introduces the Silk and Song system, replacing the Soul mechanic from the original game. Hornet collects silk by defeating enemies, which she can use to heal or perform special abilities. The Song element appears to connect to new movement and combat techniques.
The game features a crafting system where Hornet can create tools and weapons from gathered materials. These items provide strategic options during exploration and combat.
Movement mechanics have been expanded with new abilities like a mid-air dash, wall climb, and grappling techniques using Hornet’s thread. These skills allow for more complex platforming challenges throughout the game.
Difficulty appears balanced for both newcomers and veterans of the original game, with options to pursue higher challenges for those seeking them. Team Cherry has promised more quests and NPCs than the original, creating a richer world to interact with.
Compatibility and Impact on the Gaming Industry
Hollow Knight: Silksong’s 2025 release aligns strategically with Nintendo’s hardware transition period, creating opportunities for cross-generation compatibility and inspiring new game designs.
Interaction with Nintendo Switch Online and Gameshare
Silksong will likely have full Nintendo Switch Online compatibility at launch, with cloud saves and online features accessible to subscribers. This integration is expected to include matchmaking for any multiplayer components, though Team Cherry hasn’t confirmed specific online features.
Gameshare capabilities will follow standard Nintendo policies, allowing primary account holders to share the game with secondary accounts on their home console. This feature benefits families and households with multiple players interested in exploring Silksong’s world.
Nintendo has historically supported popular indie titles with special online promotions. Games like Hollow Knight have previously received dedicated tournaments and events through Nintendo Switch Online, and Silksong may receive similar treatment given its anticipated popularity.
Influence on Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Titles
Silksong’s release in 2025 positions it as a bridge title between console generations, potentially influencing other developers creating games for the Nintendo Switch 2. Its art style and mechanics could set new standards for metroidvania games on the platform.
Several major Nintendo franchises appear to be taking design cues from Hollow Knight’s success. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond developers have reportedly studied Hollow Knight’s world design and progression systems. Similarly, upcoming Kirby titles may incorporate more expansive, interconnected worlds.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launch window includes several titles that share Silksong’s hand-crafted aesthetic. Kirby Air Riders, directed by Masahiro Sakurai and coming in 2025, features similar attention to environmental detail and fluid movement mechanics.
Nintendo’s rumored GameCube games collection for Switch 2 is also expected to highlight titles that pioneered the exploration mechanics that Hollow Knight and Silksong have refined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have many questions about Hollow Knight: Silksong after Nintendo’s recent announcements. Below are answers to the most common questions based on current information from Team Cherry and Nintendo.
When is the expected release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong on Nintendo Switch?
Based on recent Nintendo Direct information, Hollow Knight: Silksong is expected to release sometime in 2025. The exact date hasn’t been announced yet.
Nintendo has indicated the game will launch this year, but fans should note that Team Cherry has previously delayed the game after missing their early 2023 target.
What is the price point for Hollow Knight: Silksong upon release?
Team Cherry hasn’t revealed the official price for Hollow Knight: Silksong yet. The original Hollow Knight was priced at $15 at launch, but Silksong may be priced differently given its expanded scope.
The pricing will likely be announced closer to the release date as marketing for the game ramps up.
Has the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong been confirmed in a recent Nintendo Direct?
Yes, Hollow Knight: Silksong was mentioned in the April 2, 2025 Nintendo Direct. The presentation included information about the game coming to Nintendo Switch.
This Direct provided the most recent official update on the game after a long period of limited information from the developers.
Based on the Nintendo announcement, is Hollow Knight: Silksong anticipated to launch in 2025?
Yes, according to the Nintendo Direct, Hollow Knight: Silksong is expected to launch in 2025. The presentation attached a 2025 date to the game.
This timeframe represents the most concrete release window fans have received after several delays.
What is the latest news regarding Hollow Knight: Silksong’s development and release schedule?
The latest news comes from the April 2 Nintendo Direct, which confirmed the game will be released in 2025. Previously, Team Cherry had been relatively quiet about development progress.
The game was initially announced in 2019, and after missing its early 2023 target, fans have been eagerly awaiting more concrete information.
Can we expect Hollow Knight: Silksong to be available on platforms other than the Nintendo Switch?
Yes, Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on multiple platforms. Team Cherry has confirmed the game will launch on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Nintendo Switch.
The developers have also stated that “more platforms may happen,” suggesting possible releases for PlayStation and Xbox consoles after the initial launch.
