Pelican Town, Awaits! The highly anticipated Stardew Valley 1.6 update has officially arrived on Nintendo Switch, bringing a wealth of new content, quality-of-life improvements, and exciting surprises to your beloved farm life simulation. After its initial PC release, console players can now dive into an even richer, more immersive Stardew Valley experience.
ConcernedApe, the sole developer behind the global phenomenon, has delivered a massive update that expands nearly every facet of the game. For Nintendo Switch players, this means a fresh wave of reasons to return to the Valley or start a brand-new adventure.
When Did Stardew Valley 1.6 Arrive on Switch?
The Stardew Valley 1.6 update, specifically version 1.6.9 (which includes all prior minor patches from the PC version), was launched simultaneously on November 4, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, and Android. Console and mobile players can now enjoy the latest additions together, as this synchronized release brings them up to speed with the PC experience.
Key New Features & Content in Stardew Valley 1.6 for Switch
The 1.6 update is packed with significant additions that will delight both veteran farmers and newcomers. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:
1. New Farm Type: Meadowlands Farm
Animal lovers rejoice! The Meadowlands Farm is a brand-new farm layout that starts you with a Coop and two chickens. It features unique “Chewy Blue Grass” that your animals adore, providing a head start for those focused on livestock.
2. Mastery System
For players who have maxed out their five core skills (Farming, Mining, Foraging, Fishing, Combat) to Level 10, a new Mastery System awaits. Accessed via a secret area in Cindersap Forest, this system allows you to earn powerful perks, recipes, and items beyond the traditional skill progression, adding significant endgame content.
3. New Festivals & Events
The social calendar in Pelican Town just got busier!
- The Desert Festival, a grand three-day event in Spring, offers new vendors, activities, and challenges in the Calico Desert.
- Trout Derby & SquidFest: Two mini fishing festivals in Summer (Trout Derby) and Winter (SquidFest) that provide unique fishing challenges and rewards.
- Green Rain: A mysterious new environmental event in Summer that causes unique flora to grow, including a new resource called Moss.
4. More Pets & Pet Bowls
Your farm can now feel even livelier! After reaching max hearts with your starter pet, you can adopt multiple pets, including new varieties of cats, dogs, and even turtles. Robin’s shop now offers various Pet Bowls for construction.
5. The Bookseller
A mysterious Bookseller now visits Pelican Town twice a season, offering a rotating stock of unique “Books of Power.” These books grant permanent stat boosts, new crafting recipes, or other valuable perks, encouraging regular visits.
6. New Crops, Forage, & Artisan Goods
Expand your agricultural repertoire with new crops like Carrots, Summer Squash, Broccoli, and Powdermelon. These can’t be bought in stores but are found through foraging, mystery boxes, or specific dig spots. There are also two new Giant Crops to discover, as well as new artisan goods, such as dried fruit from the Dehydrator.
7. Home Renovations & Furniture
Spruce up your farmhouse with four new renovations: a dining room, attic, expanded corner room, and cubby. The update also introduces a massive amount of new furniture (280 pieces!), wallpapers, floor styles, and unique furniture catalogs to personalize your living space.
8. NPC Enhancements & Dialogue
The villagers of Pelican Town feel more alive than ever. NPCs now have winter outfits, and there’s a significant amount of new dialogue, including custom gift reactions, dynamic conversations that react to in-game events, and restored missing dialogue lines. This adds depth to character interactions and makes befriending townsfolk more engaging.
9. Quality-of-Life Improvements & Bug Fixes
The 1.6 update also brings numerous enhancements that streamline gameplay:
- Big Chest: A new storage option with almost double the capacity of a regular chest.
- Map Updates: The world map now shows your actual real-time position, and in multiplayer, you can see other players’ locations.
- Fish Smoker: A new artisan equipment that increases the value of your caught fish.
- Combat Trinkets: New combat-focused items to enhance your adventuring.
- Junimo Kart & Mines Updates: Improvements to the challenging Junimo Kart minigame, new mine layouts, and various adjustments to dungeon crawling.
- Performance Optimizations: General improvements to game performance and stability, particularly beneficial for console play.
- Save Recovery: Enhanced features to automatically recover corrupted or missing save files.
Stardew Valley Multiplayer: Farm Together!
Want to farm with friends in Stardew Valley? Whether you’re on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox, multiplayer mode lets you build the ultimate farm together—and it’s easier than ever in 2025. This complete guide breaks down how Stardew Valley multiplayer works, how to set it up on your platform, what’s included, and common FAQs for a smooth experience.
What Is Stardew Valley Multiplayer?
Stardew Valley Multiplayer allows 1–4 players to farm, mine, fish, and build relationships together in the same world. Introduced officially in version 1.3 for PC and consoles, multiplayer has since evolved into a seamless co-op experience with major improvements, especially with the 1.5 and 1.6 updates.
You can:
- Share a single farm
- Divide up tasks (e.g., one fishes while another farms)
- Marry other players or NPCs
- Attend festivals and events together
- Build and upgrade individually or cooperatively
Platforms That Support Multiplayer
Multiplayer is available on:
| Platform | Multiplayer Support | Max Players |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam/GOG) | Yes (Online/LAN) | 1–4 |
| Nintendo Switch | Yes (Online/Local Wireless) | 1–4 |
| PlayStation 4 | Yes (Online) | 1–4 |
| Xbox One/Series X | Yes (Online) | 1–4 |
| Mobile (iOS/Android) | Not supported | N/A |
Note: Stardew Valley mobile does not support multiplayer as of July 2025.
How to Set Up Multiplayer in Stardew Valley
On PC (Steam/GOG):
- Create a New Farm or Load Existing Save with cabins for friends.
- Open the Game Menu → Options → Multiplayer.
- Set “Accept Invite Code” to true.
- Share the invite code or join via the Steam friend list.
On Nintendo Switch:
- Go to Co-op from the title screen.
- Host or join a farm via Local Wireless or Online Play (Nintendo Switch Online required).
On PS4/Xbox:
- Go to Co-op → Host Farm or Join Farm.
- Requires PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold for online play.
Key Multiplayer Features
- Split Responsibilities—divide tasks like watering crops or mining
- Chat & Emotes—communicate via in-game text chat
- Shared & Individual Money – toggle shared or separate wallets
- Marriage Options – marry NPCs or other players
- Event Participation—join festivals, birthdays, and community events together
Limitations & Tips
- No cross-platform play (PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox players can’t play together).
- Only the host can make world-changing decisions, like community center upgrades.
- Mods only work in multiplayer on PC—and all players must have the same mods installed.
Pro Tips for Better Multiplayer
- Choose Separate Wallets if you want financial independence.
- Build cabins early—one for each player.
- Use division of labor—one fishes, one farms, and one mines.
- Schedule Festival Attendance—festivals won’t start unless everyone joins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Stardew Valley multiplayer cross-platform?
No, cross-platform multiplayer is not supported. You must be on the same platform to play together.
Can I marry another player?
Yes, you can marry another player using the Wedding Ring (crafted on PC or bought on Switch/Xbox/PS4).
Do we share progress?
You share most progress—farm development, Community Center upgrades, quests, etc. But inventory and relationships are player-specific.
How many players can join?
Each multiplayer game can accommodate a maximum of 4 players, consisting of 1 host and 3 additional players.
Can I play split-screen?
Yes, split-screen local co-op is available on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox. Start via Co-Op → Split-Screen and connect a second controller.
Why This Update Matters for Switch Players
The Stardew Valley 1.6 update on Nintendo Switch isn’t just a patch; it’s a revitalization. It enriches the core gameplay loop, provides substantial new goals for endgame players, and adds layers of charm and detail that make Pelican Town feel even more vibrant. With full co-op on all major consoles and PC, there’s never been a better time to farm side-by-side.
Whether you’re looking to start a fresh farm on the Meadowlands, master new skills, or simply enjoy expanded interactions with your favorite villagers, this update offers countless hours of discovery and relaxation.
Dive back into Stardew Valley on your Nintendo Switch and experience the biggest content update yet!
Disclaimer: This article is accurate as of July 2025 and based on official Stardew Valley patch notes and developer updates. Platform features may vary based on region and system updates.
