The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming, but will this updated version of the popular console allow you to play your existing Switch games?
The Switch 2 is the successor to the Nintendo Switch, the portable console hybrid that combined some of the Wii U’s power, and its gimmick, with the on-the-go nature of Nintendo’s DS consoles. While the original switch was a risky move by Nintendo, it paid off in spades, becoming one of the most successful games consoles of all time.
Therefore, it’s not a surprise that Nintendo has chosen to upgrade the Switch to a new, more powerful version with the Switch 2, rather than opting for something totally different. However, the Switch has been around since 2017, so many players have built up a significant games library, either through digital or physical releases.
This means backwards compatibility with the original Switch was always going to be an important question when it came to the Switch 2. Here’s everything we know about the backwards compatibility on the Switch 2.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatible?
Yes. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with the physical cartridges of the original Switch and will be able to play them.
However, the announcement trailer revealed that not all Nintendo Switch games will work on the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 will also be backwards compatible with any games you own as digital downloads. When you boot up the console and log into your games library, you’ll be able to download your games just like you could on the Switch 1.
This also applies to any Virtual Console games you happen to own. These are games from older consoles that are emulated on the Switch, for example, Pokemon Red/Blue from the Game Boy era.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
It will be interesting to see if the Switch 2’s power allows it to emulate more games from the GameCube, Wii, or Wii U in time.
How does Switch 2’s backwards compatibility compare to Xbox & PS5?
Unlike the Xbox Series S, while the Switch 2 is indeed backwards compatible with the original console’s games, some games won’t be playable.
Nintendo hasn’t revealed which games this will be yet, but it’s comparable to when the PS5 was released and some games weren’t playable. For example, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate on PS5.
However, there’s also every possibility that Nintendo could update this in time.
Will the Switch 2 upscale existing games?
We don’t yet know if the Switch 2 will upscale existing Nintendo Switch games with its higher specs.
We will update this guide as soon as we know more.