What changed most: The single biggest gameplay tweak is that the game now pauses when you open your inventory or map. This feature, first seen in gameplay for the upcoming sequel Silksong, means no more cheap shots from enemies while you’re trying to get your bearings.
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch
- Release: Original game available now; update released in early 2026
- Price: Included with Game Pass; typically $14.99 on digital storefronts
- Developer: Team Cherry
- Genre: Metroidvania, Action-Platformer
This surprise update makes the beloved indie classic a native application on Microsoft’s latest consoles. According to the patch notes, this brings improved frame rates and support for wider resolutions like 21:9 and 16:10, giving the game a cleaner look on modern displays. A new dithering effect has also been added to reduce color banding, a subtle but welcome visual polish.
Beyond the technical upgrades for the Series X|S, several changes apply to the Xbox One version as well. The most impactful is the new menu pausing system, a massive relief for anyone who’s been ambushed while checking their location. The update also upgrades to Unity’s new Input System for better controller compatibility, improves map scrolling, and makes a few targeted gameplay tweaks, like adjusting Sly’s Great Slash collider and preventing Salubra’s Blessing from becoming a permanent visual effect.
The full list of changes, sourced from the official patch notes, details all the technical and gameplay adjustments. Note that as this list originates from the Steam version, some changes may not apply directly to the console experience.
- Added support for 21:9 & 16:10 resolutions.
- Game now pauses while in inventory menus.
- Upgraded to Unity Input System for broader controller support (original input system is still available, if preferred, via Options>Controller>Advanced Settings)
- Added dithering effect, and dithering options, to reduce colour banding.
- Fixed a softlock in City of Tears Grub room.
- Reduced Grey Prince Zote’s stagger bounce height.
- Updated Sly’s Great Slash collider to closer match visual.
- Salubra’s Blessing now deactivates after reaching max Soul.
- Map panning is now smoother.
- Various performance improvements.
- Various smaller fixes and tweaks.
The update seems to be a hit, especially the quality-of-life improvements. The decision to make the game pause in menus has been widely praised, with many players noting it’s a feature they’ve wanted since seeing it in previews for Hollow Knight: Silksong. The change that stops Salubra from “dancing above you indefinitely” has drawn some humorous commentary, with some players fondly recalling the persistent ghost. This update also follows a reported 222% spike in Xbox players after the Silksong release date announcement, suggesting that interest in the original is higher than ever.
For a game that already ran beautifully, this update is a fantastic touch of modernization. New players jumping in on Xbox Series X|S via Game Pass will get the definitive console experience right out of the box. For veterans, the menu-pausing feature alone is almost worth a full replay. It’s great to see Team Cherry continue to polish its masterpiece, keeping Hallownest as sharp and deadly as ever while fans eagerly await news on the sequel.
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