Cities Skylines on Switch 2: Which DLC Is Worth It?
The short answer: for the Switch 2 version of Cities: Skylines, the Industries and Parklife DLCs offer the best value for most players, adding deep gameplay mechanics without overwhelming the console interface. If you only buy one, choose Industries; if you want more casual content, choose Parklife. The other DLCs either add minor cosmetic options or require a PC-style workflow that feels clunky on a controller.
Background: What DLCs Exist for Cities: Skylines on Switch 2?
Nintendo’s Switch 2, released in 2025, runs a native version of Cities: Skylines (the 2015 original, not the 2023 sequel). This version includes the base game plus the After Dark, Snowfall, Mass Transit, Green Cities, Parklife, Industries, Campus, and Sunset Harbor expansions. It also includes the Content Creator Packs (like the Modern City Center and Art Deco sets) and the Radio Stations. However, the Switch 2 version does not include the Plazas & Promenades, Airports, or Financial Districts DLCs that came later on PC, as those were never ported to the original Switch hardware and remain absent from the sequel.
The base game on Switch 2 has the same core mechanics as the PC version, but with a reduced map size and a lower building limit (about 70% of PC). The DLCs add new mechanics, but the console port’s UI and performance constraints mean some DLCs are more enjoyable than others.
How DLCs Work on Switch 2
Each DLC adds a new set of buildings, policies, or services that integrate into your city. You don’t need to start a new city; you can enable them in an existing save. However, some DLCs require specific map themes (e.g., Snowfall’s snow maps) or have features that only appear after you reach certain population milestones.
On Switch 2, DLCs are downloaded as separate files. You can toggle them on/off in the main menu, but you cannot remove a DLC from an existing save without breaking that save. So choose carefully before you commit.
The Switch 2 version runs at a higher resolution and faster framerate than the original Switch, but it still has a limited number of entities (like vehicles and citizens) compared to PC. This affects DLCs that spawn many new objects, such as Parklife’s parks or Industries’ warehouses.
How to Choose: What to Consider Before Buying
Before you spend money, ask yourself what you enjoy in city builders:
- Do you like managing logistics and production chains? Then Industries is a must-buy. It adds four raw resource types (forestry, farming, ore, oil) and lets you build supply chains from extraction to processing to export. It’s deep, engaging, and gives you a clear goal.
- Do you prefer aesthetic planning and recreation? Parklife lets you paint parks and create custom leisure areas, which is great for making your city look alive. It’s less demanding and more forgiving.
- Do you want more transportation options? Mass Transit adds ferries, monorails, cable cars, and better interchanges. It’s useful but not as transformative as the above two.
- Do you like building university campuses? Campus is similar to Parklife but focused on education. It’s decent, but the campus area feels disconnected from the rest of the city.
- Do you want to deal with disasters? Natural Disasters is included in the base Switch 2 version (unlike PC, where it’s a separate DLC). It adds earthquakes, tornadoes, and a disaster response system. It’s fun but not essential.
If you’re on a budget, skip Snowfall (unless you love snow maps), Green Cities (adds eco buildings but little else), and Sunset Harbor (adds fishing and a few services, but the main draw – the “intercity buses� – is underwhelming).
Common Problems and Limitations on Switch 2
Even with the improved hardware, the Switch 2 version has quirks that affect DLC enjoyment:
- Limited map size: The base game map is smaller than PC. Some DLCs, like Industries, require large areas for resource extraction. You’ll need to plan carefully.
- Building limit: The Switch 2 version has a lower building/object limit than PC. DLCs that add many small objects (like Parklife’s park props) can hit the limit faster.
- No mods: The PC version has thousands of mods that fix UI issues and add assets. The Switch 2 version has no mod support, so you’re stuck with the vanilla interface, which can be clunky for managing complex DLC features.
- Performance with Industries: In late game, a city with a full industrial chain can cause frame drops, especially when zoomed in. The Switch 2 handles it better than the original Switch, but it’s still noticeable.
If you encounter these issues, try to keep your city population under 50,000 and use the “limited� graphics settings to keep the framerate stable.
Cost and Value Comparison
On the Nintendo eShop, each DLC costs the same as on other platforms (typically $14.99 USD). However, the Switch 2 version often goes on sale, and you can buy the Season Pass (which includes all DLCs) at a discount. If you plan to buy more than two DLCs, the Season Pass is better value.
But value isn’t just about price. Consider how many hours you’ll get. Industries can easily add 50+ hours of gameplay if you enjoy optimizing production. Parklife adds maybe 20 hours. Mass Transit is a one-time improvement that you’ll use every game, so it’s also high value.
If you’re a completionist, you might want all DLCs, but for most players, two or three is enough.
Alternatives: What to Play Instead of Buying DLC
If you don’t want to spend extra money, the base game already includes a lot:
- After Dark is included free in the Switch 2 version (on PC it’s a DLC). It adds tourism, leisure, and day/night cycle.
- Natural Disasters is also included free, as mentioned.
- You can use the Content Creator Packs that come with the base game to customize your city’s look.
If you’re looking for a different city builder on Switch 2, consider Skylines 2 (if it ever gets ported) or Islanders for a simpler, cheaper experience. But for the depth of Cities: Skylines, the base game is already a solid package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use DLCs on an existing city?
Yes, you can enable DLCs in a current save. The new features will appear as you play. However, if you disable a DLC later, the save may become unplayable. So only turn them on if you plan to keep them.
Which DLC is best for beginners?
Parklife is the most beginner-friendly because it doesn’t require complex management. You just paint areas and place parks. Industries is more advanced and might overwhelm new players.
Does the Switch 2 version have all DLCs?
No, it has all DLCs up to Sunset Harbor (2019). The later PC DLCs like Airports and Plazas & Promenades are not available on any console version, including Switch 2.
Is the Season Pass worth it?
If you plan to buy more than two DLCs, yes. The Season Pass bundles all available DLCs at a discount, and it often goes on sale for half price. But if you only want one or two, buy them individually.
Does Industries cause performance issues on Switch 2?
It can, especially in large cities. The Switch 2 runs it better than the original Switch, but you may still see frame drops when you have many warehouses and production buildings. If you experience this, try reducing the number of vehicles or using the “limited� graphics option.
Can I play with DLCs on a non-Switch 2 profile?
Yes, DLCs are tied to your Nintendo account. If you have multiple profiles on the same console, all profiles can use the DLCs as long as the primary console is set correctly.
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