The Switch 2 is coming. It may not be referred to as that, however Nintendo is gearing as much as announce a brand new console, and a key piece of details about the system was simply revealed: It will be backwards-compatible, which means it is going to be capable of play Nintendo Switch video games. On this submit, we’re rounding up every part we all know, and do not know, about Switch 2’s backwards compatibility.
Are you able to play Switch video games on Switch 2?
As a part of Nintendo’s earnings presentation in early November 2024, president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed the information, stating, “Nintendo Switch software program can even be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.” The Switch 2 with the ability to play Switch 1 video games was rumored, however Furukawa made it official throughout the earnings briefing.
The Switch was not appropriate with Wii U video games, however a variety of Wii U video games had been ported to the Switch. For this subsequent transition, however–from Switch to Switch 2–existing software program can be supported.
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Unknowns
Nintendo’s announcement of backward compatibility help for Switch 2 was mild on particulars. It’s presently unknown the way it’ll all work. Beneath are some key unanswered questions.
Do bodily Switch sport playing cards work with Switch 2?
One of many unknowns is whether or not or not backwards compatibility is proscribed to digital video games or if the Switch 2 can even help bodily Switch cartridges. Because the Switch 2 hasn’t even been introduced but, we do not know what format the system may need for bodily media, or if it helps it in any respect.
Are all Switch video games backwards appropriate?
We additionally do not know if the backwards compatibility can be complete or restricted, however this could turn into clear in time. For now, Furukawa mentioned Nintendo will share extra data “at a later date.” For what it is value, even inside the Switch 1 ecosystem, not all video games had been universally supported. For example, the Switch Lite did not help sure Switch video games.
Does Switch 2 enhance Switch video games?
The Switch 2 is predicted to be a extra highly effective machine than the present Switch, which launched in 2017 and has offered greater than 146 million items so far. However whether or not or not the Switch 2 will enhance unique Switch video games performed on it’s unknown. When a system affords backward compatibility, like with PS5 and Xbox Collection X|S, it’s usually the case that video games for the older system look and carry out higher on the newer one with higher resolutions and/or body charges. That is no less than one thing that Nintendo followers would most likely hope for with the Switch 2. Video games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and Echoes of Knowledge had been extremely regarded video games, but additionally had notoriously unhealthy efficiency in sure spots, and the Switch 2 providing enhancements can be very welcome.
We will replace this submit as extra data involves mild.
Inventory value leap
The Switch 2, or no matter it will be referred to as, hasn’t even been introduced but, however Nintendo’s inventory value jumped after Nintendo introduced the backwards compatibility information.
Analyst Dr. Serkan Toto mentioned buyers may need taken the announcement of backwards compatibility to imply the Switch 2 is extra of a “continuation” relatively than a “dangerous experiment,” and that would have helped the share value develop. The considering right here is that the Switch 2 being backwards-compatible may assist encourage individuals to purchase it as a result of they know their video games will transfer with them and so they will not have to begin over.
Nintendo inventory simply closed up +5.80% (3:30pm Japan time on Wed) due to the confirmed backwards compatibility of the subsequent console with the present Switch.
Buyers suppose this can be a signal Nintendo’s subsequent machine won’t be a dangerous experiment however relatively a continuation. https://t.co/hB2PUkg9AF— Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) November 6, 2024
Switch 2 sport retailer and Nintendo Switch On-line
Nintendo additionally acknowledged that individuals who purchase a Switch 2 “will have the ability to select their subsequent buy from a broad choice of titles launched for Nintendo Switch.” This appears to recommend that the Switch 2’s video games retailer can even embrace unique Switch video games.
Past all of this, Nintendo mentioned the Switch 2 will help Nintendo Switch On-line and your present Nintendo Account. “We imagine that it is vital for Nintendo’s future to utilize Nintendo Account and carry over the great relationship that we now have constructed with the over 100 million annual taking part in customers on Nintendo Switch to its successor,” Furukawa mentioned.
Changing into the norm
There was a time within the online game business when new console generations represented one thing of a clear slate, and customers needed to begin over and buy new video games for the brand new machine. However these days have gotten a relic of the previous, for Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony.
The Xbox Collection X|S helps Xbox One video games (and a few Xbox 360 and unique Xbox video games), whereas the PS5 helps PS4 titles, together with PS3 and PS2 video games by the use of streaming, and just for a sure choice of titles. It is not backwards-compatibility within the conventional sense of popping your previous Xbox or PlayStation disc into the brand new machine. As a substitute, this was made doable via the online game business’s push in direction of digital. Many digital video games bought for one platform carry ahead to the subsequent, and now Nintendo–which has additionally seen dramatic will increase in digital sport sales–is becoming a member of the fold with Switch 2.
That is all we all know for now, however with the Switch 2 set to be introduced by the tip of March 2025, extra particulars ought to come to mild sooner or later. Preserve checking again with GameSpot for the most recent.