World War Z for Nintendo Switch reached a significant milestone with Update 1.0.8, a major free content drop that brought the portable version closer to its console counterparts. Released on March 24, 2022, this update is particularly notable for adding significant story content and a new game mode at no additional cost to players. Update 1.0.8 Key Features
This update, often referred to in technical circles by its version number or as the "Marseille & Horde Mode Update," includes:
Marseille Story Episode: A new three-mission PvE campaign set in the French city of Marseille, which was previously only available in the Game of the Year (GOTY) edition on other platforms.
Horde Mode Z: The debut of the popular endless wave-based survival mode on Switch, challenging players to defend against increasingly difficult swarms.
Local Wireless Co-op: Support for up to four players to team up via a local hotspot connection, allowing for offline multiplayer without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. world war z switch nsp dlc update 108 eshop exclusive
Performance Improvements: General graphical fixes and technical optimizations to maintain stability during the game's signature massive zombie swarms. DLC & eShop Availability
While Update 1.0.8 provided free content, players looking for the full experience often turn to the Deluxe Edition or individual packs available on the Nintendo eShop:
eShop Exclusive Packs: Various weapon and character skin packs are available, such as the Lobo Weapon Pack , Biohazard Weapon Pack, and the The Professionals Pack.
Deluxe Edition: This version bundles the base game with several DLC packs, including the Marseille episode (pre-1.0.8) and specialized weapon skins. The Walking Dead DLC World War Z for Nintendo Switch reached a
: A more recent major crossover episode featuring characters and locations from AMC's The Walking Dead was released in January 2026, further expanding the Switch library.
For players managing their own files (often referred to by technical terms like NSP), it is critical to ensure that both the base game and update files are correctly installed to access this content. Note that the Switch version is technically separate from the Aftermath edition found on other consoles, though it has received some of that content through these updates.
If you follow Switch modding or homebrew scenes (NSP/XCI circles), you know that most major game updates get dumped and shared. But World War Z’s 1.0.8 update caused a small earthquake. Why?
Because it wasn't just a bug fix. Update 1.0.8 delivered the entire “Valley of the Zeke” DLC episode as a mandatory patch. But here’s the twist: unlike other platforms where you could buy the DLC à la carte, Nintendo made this eShop exclusive. The Patch That Broke the Rules If you
While Horde Mode XL exists on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, the Switch version required a unique approach. Update 108 added a modified "Large Horde" toggle that increases zombie counts by nearly 35% over the original launch version, without crashing the system. It dynamically adjusts swarm logic based on whether you’re in handheld or docked mode.
If you already own World War Z on Switch, Update 1.0.8 is essential. The Valley of the Zeke episode is arguably the best-designed of the entire game: tighter corridors, smarter zombie pathing, and a final stand on a frozen ship that rivals anything in the original campaign.
The performance improvements alone make it worth the download. The game now hovers much closer to a locked 30fps in handheld mode, and the resolution doesn’t drop to sub-480p during the biggest firefights.
The bad news? It’s $9.99 USD on the eShop, and it’s the only way to get it. No bundle deals, no season pass discounts for latecomers. And unlike on PC, cross-save is still absent, so you’ll be replaying those earlier missions to level up for the new difficulty.
The headline item for Update 1.08 is an eShop-exclusive cosmetic and mission DLC bundle. The pack includes:
This DLC is currently available only through the Nintendo eShop; it is not included in physical-game updates or other platform stores at this time.