To cap off two weeks of questions, confusion, and occasional solutions about Nintendo Switch 2 pricing, pre-orders, DLC, Switch 2 Version upgrades, controllers, and extra, this is one other bizarre state of affairs so as to add to the pile. In keeping with an FAQ from Marvelous on the upcoming recreation Rune Manufacturing unit: Guardians of Azuma, a minimum of some Nintendo Switch 2 bodily cartridges might be appropriate with the Nintendo Switch 1.
This comes from this (*2*), which incorporates the next:
What’s the bodily “Nintendo Switch 2 Version”?
The Nintendo Switch 2 Version is a purple 64GB recreation card that features, in full, the Nintendo Switch recreation and the Improve Pack.
There’s no must obtain the total recreation: merely insert the cardboard into both a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 console, and the proper model will launch robotically.
Like most trendy titles, there could also be small updates or patches out there at launch to supply minor fixes and enhancements, however relaxation assured: the whole recreation is on the sport card, able to play from day one.
This means you should buy the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Guardians of Azuma, and slot it right into a Nintendo Switch 1 to play the Nintendo Switch 1 version of the sport when you so select. If that is certainly the case, that is the primary time we’re listening to of the flexibility to play sure Switch 2 cartridges on the Switch 1.
We have identified for some time that almost all Switch 1 video games might be appropriate with Switch 2. We additionally know that video games which might be unique to Nintendo Switch 2 (Mario Kart World, for example), or Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Switch 1 video games (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Version, with all of the upgrades), will not be playable on the Switch 1. However the query of whether or not you’ll be able to simply take Switch 2 cartridges and plug them into the Switch 1 to get the Switch 1 model of the identical recreation has been up within the air to date. Some gamers have (*1*) that prompt a tiny “notch” within the plastic of Switch 2 cartridges may stop that from being the case, however whether or not that notch is preventative or not stays to be seen.
It is also unclear as to how precisely many video games this can apply to. We all know that first-party and a few third-party bodily Nintendo Switch 2 Version video games will embrace each the bottom recreation and the Switch 2 Version upgrades on the cartridge, whereas different third-parties might select to launch Switch 2 Version video games as obtain codes in bodily packaging. Moreover, some boxed Nintendo Switch 2 video games is not going to even have the sport on the cartridge, however as an alternative will include a game-key card that can will let you obtain the sport when you insert it.
So basically, if you buy a Nintendo Switch 2 boxed recreation at retail, you could be getting any of the next:
- A bodily Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive recreation cartridge that solely works on the Switch 2
- A Nintendo Switch 2 Version recreation that has a Nintendo Switch 1 model on the cartridge, in addition to a Switch 2 improve, which will or might not be playable on each Switch 2 and in its base model on the Switch 1
- A game-key card that does not have the sport on it, however permits you to obtain the sport in query (and will or might not even be usable on the Switch 1 as effectively)
- A bodily field with a obtain key for the Switch 2 which will or might not work on the Switch 1 as effectively
If all this has your head spinning, you are not alone. It has been a complicated journey attempting to type out what, precisely, you will be buying if you purchase boxed Nintendo Switch 2 video games, and Nintendo has been hesitant to step in and make clear issues simply far. We reached out to Nintendo for remark on Marvelous’ FAQ, particularly asking if it is true that some Switch 2 cartridges might be playable on Switch 1 and if that’s the case, which. We’ll replace this story if extra info surfaces.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Yow will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Received a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.