Nintendo Switch 2 backward compatibility doesn’t support every original Switch game 

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The Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially announced, confirming the long-leaked successor to Nintendo’s popular handheld. 

Alongside the console’s announcement, Nintendo confirmed that the new machine will be able to play original Switch titles in backward compatibility. However, not all games will run on the new machine. 

Nintendo Switch 2 backward compatibility isn’t perfect 

In the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, the company made sure to show off backward compatibility as a feature of the new machine. In the trailer, Super Mario Wonder can be seen playing on both an original Switch and its successor. 

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The trailer explains that both digital and physical versions of games will run on the new handheld, albeit not all of them. While no specific titles were mentioned, it explains that some games will be unplayable on the new machine. 

“Nintendo Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games,” the trailer says. “Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” 


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The company explained that further details will be revealed on the Nintendo website “at a later date”. 

It’s unsurprising to hear that some games will suffer on the new machine, especially considering the gulf in power between the two. While they maintain similar architecture — according to leaks — there is a substantial difference between the two. After all, not every PS4 game runs on the PlayStation 5. 

With eight years of games, many of which are shovelware on the eShop, it’s almost inconceivable that every Switch title could even be tested on the new machine, let alone run flawlessly. However, most major titles should run without major issues on the new machine. 

About the Author

Lewis White

Lewis White is a veteran games journalist with a decade of experience writing news, reviews, features and investigative pieces about game development with a focus on Halo and Xbox.