A Surprise Gift for Hallownest: Hollow Knight's First Update in Years Arrives on Its 9th Anniversary
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An Unexpected Return to the Abyss
Team Cherry breaks years of silence with a substantial technical patch
In the often-quiet world of game development, where long silences can signal abandonment, a surprise emerged from the depths. Just in time for the ninth anniversary of its landmark release, Team Cherry has delivered the first update for Hollow Knight in years. This wasn't a teaser for the long-awaited sequel, Silksong, but a substantial and welcome patch focused on refining the original masterpiece for modern hardware.
According to pcgamer.com, the update, which went live on February 8, 2026, addresses several key technical areas that have become more prominent since the game's initial launch. For a title that has sold millions of copies and cemented itself as a modern classic, this move demonstrates a continued commitment to the player experience, even as the studio's primary focus remains on its next project.
Embracing the Wider View: Ultrawide Monitor Support
A long-requested feature finally comes to Hallownest
One of the most significant and celebrated changes in this update is the official implementation of proper ultrawide monitor support. For years, players on expansive 21:9 or 32:9 displays had to rely on community-made mods or deal with black bars on the sides of their screen, which could break immersion in the game's meticulously crafted world.
The new native support allows the haunting landscapes of Forgotten Crossroads, the shimmering beauty of Crystal Peak, and the oppressive darkness of Deepnest to stretch fully across these panoramic displays. This isn't just a cosmetic change; it can alter gameplay by providing a wider field of view, potentially giving players a slight tactical advantage in spotting threats and platforming challenges. The report from pcgamer.com confirms this enhancement, marking a direct response to a persistent community request.
Optimizing for Portable Play: Steam Deck Enhancements
Tailoring the Knight's journey for Valve's handheld
Recognizing the massive shift towards portable PC gaming, Team Cherry has specifically optimized Hollow Knight for the Steam Deck. The game has always been an excellent fit for handheld play due to its tight controls and save-point system, but this update smooths out the experience.
While specific performance metrics weren't detailed in the source report, improvements likely target areas like consistent frame pacing, optimized default graphical settings for the Deck's 800p screen, and better integration with the device's control schemes and suspend/resume functionality. This move ensures that one of the best Metroidvania experiences ever made is also one of the most seamless to play on the go, solidifying its place in many players' portable libraries.
The Core of the Update: Technical Polish and Fixes
Under-the-hood improvements for a smoother adventure
Beyond the headline features, the anniversary update includes a host of general fixes and technical polish. The development team has addressed various bugs that have persisted over the years, though the pcgamer.com report does not provide an exhaustive list of every squashed glitch.
These fixes are crucial for a game as precise as Hollow Knight, where a single frame of lag or a minor collision detection error can mean the difference between a successful nail bounce and a frustrating death. By refining the game's technical foundation, Team Cherry ensures that new players diving into the vast underground kingdom for the first time, and veterans returning for another Steel Soul attempt, encounter the most stable and polished version of the game possible.
A Community Re-energized
What does this update signal to a patient fanbase?
The arrival of this patch has sent ripples of excitement through the Hollow Knight community, which has been patiently awaiting news on Silksong for years. While this update is explicitly not about the sequel, its existence is a powerful signal. It proves that Team Cherry is not only still actively working but is also attentive to the current state of their released game and the platforms people are using.
This kind of post-launch support, especially so many years later, is a gesture of goodwill. It shows respect for the player base that has supported them and helps maintain the game's relevance in a constantly evolving hardware landscape. The update acts as a reminder of the studio's dedication to quality, even if their development timelines are famously meticulous and extended.
The Shadow of Silksong
How does this patch relate to the awaited sequel?
Inevitably, any action from Team Cherry is viewed through the lens of Silksong's development. It is important to stress, as the source material does, that this update contains no new content, lore, or hints about the sequel. It is purely a technical and quality-of-life patch for the original game.
However, the work involved in updating a complex codebase years later is non-trivial. Some of the optimizations for modern display standards and portable hardware could inform the technical development of Silksong, ensuring it launches with robust support for these features from day one. Primarily, though, this update serves as a separate, maintenance-focused project, allowing the core development team to remain focused on bringing Hornet's adventure to completion.
The Legacy of a Modern Classic
Why Hollow Knight endures nearly a decade later
This unexpected update underscores why Hollow Knight remains a benchmark for its genre. Its combination of challenging but fair combat, a deeply interconnected and mysterious world, and an unparalleled atmospheric presentation has given it remarkable longevity. Games that receive meaningful updates nearly a decade after release are rare, typically reserved for titles with ongoing live-service models.
Hollow Knight is the opposite—a complete, single-purchase experience. This patch is an investment in preserving that experience for future audiences. It ensures that as display technology advances and new portable PCs emerge, the journey through Hallownest remains as immersive and technically flawless as it was in 2017, if not more so.
How to Access the Anniversary Update
Getting the improved version of the game
For existing owners on Steam and other PC platforms, the update should download automatically. Players are encouraged to launch the game to ensure all new features are active, particularly checking their display settings to enable ultrawide support if applicable. Those playing on the Steam Deck may also want to verify that the game is using the updated, official configuration for the best experience.
As reported by pcgamer.com on February 8, 2026, this update is a free enhancement for all owners. It serves as both a thank-you to the community and a perfect entry point for anyone who has yet to take up the nail and explore the ruins of a fallen kingdom. Nine years on, the call of Hallownest, now more polished than ever, remains as compelling as ever.
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