Download & Installation

Download & Installation Guide for Hollow Knight

This guide covers all official platforms and methods to download and install Hollow Knight. The game requires approximately 9 GB of storage space. Save data is separate.

Platform Availability

Hollow Knight is available on:

• PC (Windows, macOS, Linux) via Steam, GOG.com, and Humble Store


• PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 (PSN digital store)


• Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S (Microsoft Store)


• Nintendo Switch (Nintendo eShop)

> Note: There is no official mobile version. Download only from official stores to ensure safety and updates.

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System Requirements

PC (Windows)

macOS

• OS: macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later


• CPU: Intel Core i3


• RAM: 4 GB


• GPU: Intel HD Graphics 5000 or better


• Storage: 9 GB




Linux



• OS: Ubuntu 16.04+, Fedora 24+, or equivalent


• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.1 GHz)


• RAM: 4 GB


• GPU: OpenGL 4.0 capable (NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT, AMD Radeon HD 7750, Intel HD 4000)


• Storage: 9 GB




Consoles



• PS4/PS5: 20 GB free space (recommended due to patches)


• Xbox One/Series: 10 GB


• Switch: 5.7 GB (can be downloaded to internal storage or microSD card)


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Step-by-Step Installation by Platform





1. PC (Steam)


1. Create a Steam account or sign in at [store.steampowered.com](https://store.steampowered.com/).
2. Install the Steam client from the official site.
3. Log in to the Steam client.
4. Click on Store and search for "Hollow Knight."
5. Click Add to Cart and complete purchase.
6. Go to your Library → find Hollow Knight → click Install.
7. Choose installation location (ensure at least 9 GB free).
8. Wait for download and automatic installation.
9. Launch from Library.



2. PC (GOG.com - DRM-Free)


1. Visit [www.gog.com](https://www.gog.com) and create an account.
2. Search for "Hollow Knight" — the standard version includes the Voidheart Edition.
3. Purchase the game.
4. Download GOG Galaxy (optional) or download offline installer files directly.
5. For offline installer: Click View my order → Download the installer .exe (Windows) or .pkg (macOS) or .sh (Linux).
6. Run the installer and follow prompts. Choose any folder; no online activation required.
7. (Optional) Use GOG Galaxy for automatic updates.



3. PC (Epic Games Store)


1. Download and install Epic Games Launcher from [www.epicgames.com](https://www.epicgames.com/).
2. Log in or create an account.
3. Go to Store → search "Hollow Knight."
4. Purchase or redeem if free (was offered as free game in 2019 and 2021).
5. Click Get (or Buy) → complete transaction.
6. Go to Library → find Hollow Knight → click Install.
7. Choose install location.
8. Launch from library after installation.



4. PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5


1. On PS4/PS5, go to PlayStation Store on the home screen.
2. Search for "Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition."
3. Select Add to Cart and purchase.
4. After purchase, select Download.
5. The game downloads in the background. You can monitor progress from Notifications → Downloads.
6. Once complete, open from the Home screen or Library.
> PS5: Runs via backward compatibility; no specific PS5 upgrade exists.



5. Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S


1. From the console home screen, go to Microsoft Store.
2. Search for "Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition."
3. Click Buy (or Install if you own it via Game Pass).
4. Complete purchase.
5. The download starts automatically. Check progress in My games & apps → Queue.
6. Once installed, launch from Home.
> Game Pass: Available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Core, and Console; just install from the Game Pass section.



6. Nintendo Switch


1. From the Switch Home screen, select Nintendo eShop.
2. Choose your profile and enter the eShop.
3. Search for "Hollow Knight."
4. Select Proceed to Purchase and pay via Nintendo eShop funds or credit card.
5. After purchase, select Download.
6. The download will start. You can play while downloading once enough data is cached (approx. 2 hours).
7. Launch from Home screen when full download finishes.
> Note: Physical retail versions exist but are rare. Insert cartridge and install update if prompted.

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Account Requirements




• Steam: Steam account.


• GOG: GOG account (for purchase and download). Offline installers do not require account after download.


• Epic: Epic Games account.


• PlayStation: PlayStation Network (PSN) account.


• Xbox: Microsoft account / Xbox profile.


• Nintendo Switch: Nintendo Account (for eShop purchases).

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First Launch Setup

1. After installation, launch the game. A splash screen with Team Cherry logo appears.
2. The game will prompt you to select Language (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese).
3. You may be asked to calibrate Brightness — adjust until the logo is barely visible.
4. Choose New Game or Continue (if you have save data).
5. Note that controllers:
- PC versions support Xbox and PlayStation controllers natively. Switch Pro Controller works via Steam Input (enable in Steam settings).
- Keyboard is fully customizable in Settings → Keyboard.
6. The game saves automatically at benches and at certain checkpoints.

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Common Installation Errors & Fixes

General Fix for PC

• Verify Integrity of Game Files (Steam): Right-click Hollow Knight in Library → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files.


• GOG Galaxy: In library, click Settings icon on the game → Manage Installation → Verify / Repair.


• Epic: In library, click the three dots on Hollow Knight → Manage → Verify.


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Post-Installation Verification



1. Launch the game and confirm the main menu appears with "New Game" and "Continue" options.
2. Start a new game and verify that you can move, attack, and interact without stutter or crashes.
3. Check that audio plays correctly and cutscenes load.
4. Verify save functionality: sit at a bench (first bench is in the tutorial area after the large bug tells you to rest). The game will display a save icon.
5. Optional: Run benchmark by entering a populated area (e.g., Dirtmouth) and check frame rate (target 60 FPS).



Checking Game Version



• Main menu → Options → Credits. The version number is shown at the bottom. Latest version is 1.5.88.11870 (as of 2025).


• Update to latest version:

- Steam: automatic.
- GOG: use Galaxy client or download new offline installer.
- Consoles: check for updates from the respective store menu.

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Additional Tips




• Modding: PC version supports mods via Modding API (requires Hollow Knight Mod Installer). Backup original save files at `%APPDATA%/Hollow Knight/` (Windows).


• Cloud Saves: Steam Cloud and GOG Cloud (if using GOG Galaxy) sync saves. On consoles, saves are automatically backed up to cloud (requires subscription on Xbox/Switch).


• Performance: For low-end PCs, reduce resolution to 720p, disable ambient particles in Options → Video. On Linux, use Proton 9.0 or Proton-GE for smoother performance.


• DLC: Hollow Knight includes all free DLC (Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, Godmaster) automatically in the Voidheart Edition. No extra download needed.


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Sources



• Official Hollow Knight website: [hollowknight.com](https://hollowknight.com)


• Steam Store page: [store.steampowered.com](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/)


• GOG page: [gog.com/game/hollow_knight](https://www.gog.com/game/hollow_knight)


• Nintendo eShop listing


• PSN and Microsoft Store official pages

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This guide was last updated on March 2025. Game and platform specifications may change; always refer to official sources for the most current information.