As we approach 2024, we're naturally getting increasingly keen to learn more about Nintendo's next major piece of hardware, affectionately dubbed the 'Switch 2', for now. After all, although the current line-up of upcoming Switch games is certainly nothing to sneer at, there's no denying that Nintendo is leaning heavily on remakes and remasters, presumably while its core teams work on 'next-gen' titles. If that doesn't indicate a new console is on the horizon, we're not sure what does.
At the moment, the majority of us are under the assumption that the 'Switch 2' will be a reasonably 'safe' upgrade to the current console in general form and function; a hybrid device that retains the core concept of the Switch but beefs up the performance considerably while possibly adding a few new innovations here and there. It makes sense, right? Although many of us are eager to move on to the next big thing, Nintendo isn't ready to ditch the Switch brand, and none of us want it to. It still works wonderfully after all these years, so why do anything drastically different?
With that in mind, many of us here at Nintendo Life are convinced that this 'Switch 2' will be backwards compatible with Switch titles. Nintendo has recently made quite a big deal about how Nintendo Accounts will significantly ease the transition from one console generation to the next, going so far as to state that both purchase history and saved data can easily be retained long-term. Hmm, curious, no?
So it got us thinking: assuming the 'Switch 2' is backwards compatible (please!), what do you plan on doing with your current console? Will you keep it as a secondary device? Will you trade it for the new one? Or will it simply be destined to sit in the corner of a shelf, gathering dust like Wheezy from Toy Story 2?
We'd love to know. First, let's hear from Team Nintendo Life...
"Trade it" - Ollie Reynolds, staff writer
I'm in an immensely fortunate position in that I own both a Switch OLED Model and a Switch Lite. If the next console comes out and is fully backwards compatible (and has an OLED screen to boot), then I'll be straight down to the local GAME store to trade in my OLED Model, no question about it. Look, I just don't like cluttering the house with things that probably won't get put to use, okay?
My Switch Lite, meanwhile, will remain as a handy secondary console to accompany me on select jaunts: I'm thinking holidays with the family, press events, that sort of thing. If my toddler somehow gets her hands on the Lite and it winds up broken beyond repair, then at least it's not the 'Switch 2', right?
Now, if the 'Switch 2' isn't backwards compatible, then yeah, of course I'm keeping my OLED Model. I would imagine most enthusiasts will likely do the same. So let's all keep our fingers crossed, eh?
"Sell it" - Jim Norman, staff writer
For my entire gaming life, I have been selling off my old consoles to help towards the new ones. Video game preservation clearly wasn't at the forefront of my child's mind when I traded in my original GBA to get a DS Lite, nor was it when I flogged my one and only 3DS for some money towards a PS Vita (I don't have many regrets, but I gladly put this on my top shelf of shame). So, I had told myself that I would be a brave grown-up with the Switch and hang onto it when the newbie comes out, if only for the "you see what we used to play with?!" conversations 50 years down the line.
But (and it's a big but), if the Super Switch comes along next year and promises to do everything that your old one can, only better, that devil on my shoulder will start whispering "Sell it" real loud. Yes, I want to hold onto what will likely go down as one of the best gaming consoles of all time, but... money.
A little bit of me hopes that the next console isn't backwards compatible, just so I would have a neat little excuse to hang onto my OLED forever. Then again, I can already hear an angry mob gathering outside my house as I write that sentence, so I'd better leave it as a "Let's wait and see"...
"Pass it on" - Gavin Lane, editor
I caused a micro-ruckus a few weeks back when I suggested that backwards compatibility on the next console — while massively desirable — is less of a dealbreaker than ever before when it comes to Nintendo's home console hardware, precisely because this time it's also a portable you can keep on a bookshelf or in a drawer. Obviously, I'd love for it to play all my Switch games!
Either way, being in a position where I don't have to trade in the old console to get the new one, I'm content to make a nice spot on the shelf for my OLED and keep it unboxed and hanging around indefinitely. I've certainly got a backlog that could last me into the mid-21st century.
However, I'm also imagining a scenario where a 'Switch 2' comes along that's fully backwards compatible but doesn't have an OLED screen. That would be... hmm, let's be polite and say 'suboptimal.' The ability to transfer all your games over with full compatibility (LABO excepted, although that's not 100% compatible with OLED either)...but the screen on the old system still looks better? Oof.
Fingers crossed I'm just being pessimistic. If so, I'd pass on my OLED to a nephew, or keep it for my own younger kids. Then again, they may well turn their noses up at the old console, in which case it'll go back in the box and take its place in the cupboard alongside all the other ageing plastic.
"Keep it" - Alana Hagues, deputy editor
I didn't really get much of a choice on whether to keep consoles growing up, Whether it be money issues or space (more an issue as an adult), the consoles were often sacrificed — usually after I was consulted, of course. But now I have more money and more space, and honestly, the Switch is so small, I think I'd probably keep mine.
Why? Looks nice on a shelf, innit. We're lucky to be a two-Switch household (one for me, one for my partner) and they're both limited edition ones too. We'd probably get rid of one of them, to be fair, but — I don't know — it's not a PS5 or an Xbox Series X, is it? There's still room for that Switch 2 on the console unit. Will I play it? Maybe. Depends on how easy it is to transfer everything over — after all, I have tons of unplayed games already installed on the Switch. But I can't imagine it being difficult, particularly if Nintendo is using the Nintendo Account as the 'link' between gens.
This isn't set in stone, of course. Life changes and we probably won't keep the Switch forever, but initially, I think we'll still have a Switch for the first year of the next console's life.
So, you've read what we think, and now we want to hear from you. Be sure to vote in the poll and share some further details with a comment down below. Man, the closer we get to 2024, the more exciting the prospect of a new console is, huh?
If 'Switch 2' is backwards compatible, what will you do with your current Switch? (3,233 votes)
- Trade it toward the 'Switch 2'
- Sell it outright
- Pass it on to friends or family
- Keep it as a secondary console
- Keep it for display/sentimental reason
- I have multiple, so who knows
- Something else (comment below!)
Comments 221
Get the thing sold, although a timeframe for the new console would be nice, but with games coming out up to June 2024, not sure it will be anytime soon.
If it is backwards compatible, I’ll just transfer my games on regular Switch (physical and digital games) to Switch 2. Once all the games from the regular Switch get transferred to the Switch 2, I’ll just sell the regular Switch.
Considering I collect games and consoles, I have no plan to let go of my Switch or Switch OLED. There will always be a time that I'll want to get it out and play on it, much like I do with the rest of my systems
Tough one as I'm a console hoarder and I'll be sad to see my Animal Crossing bundle go 😂 I'll prob pass it on to family members though!
I save all my old consoles and regularly play many of them, so my Switch will simply move to a secondary or tertiary position in my setup. Right now, I also have a Wii U, a Wii, a PS4 and a PS3 hooked to my gameroom TV, and I have a 3DS, a DS Lite, a GBA, a GameBoy Color and a PSP within four feet of me. And still hoping for the time to clear out this mess and get all my older consoles connected to one of the CRT TVs I'm hording. Nothing ever leaves this collection.
Play games duh…what else can you do to it?
I’ll keep my switches (launch and OLED) as I collect games and hardware anyway.
I’ll probably make the OLED my ACNH or theatrhythm only model, my base switch is already my fortnite device for when I have people over.
I have the splatoon 3 oled, that thing will remain with me until it breaks or i die. The beauty of the Switch is that it's so small, the second PS6 comes out i'm selling the PS5 same with Series X.
Eat it, part by part. Then it will be part of me forever, embedded in my organs.
I will likely pass mine on to my nephew tbh.
If the next Switch isn’t backward compatible it will be the Wii U again.
They would be stupidity.
I like to keep all of my consoles, so I will keep the Switch too.
I'll still keep my original Switch and my Switch OLED, I'm still regularly using both.
Realistically, I'll be playing most stuff on the Switch 2 provided it gives performance improvements, resolution improvements, etc.
Sell it and get a Switch 2, life goes on 😊
On the day of release of course.
If its backwards compatible I will sell my Switch like I do for every new console with backwards compatability
Oh I’d definitely trade my OLED in part exchange! Yes, even if the new console is only LCD. I play 99% docked anyway.
It’ll be my portable unit, holding the digital stuff I don’t play as often, while the higher-end titles and games I play regularly will go on the new one. That’ll free up space on the S1 for gear I have archived. NBA2K and Overwatch are a fair old chonk y’know.
Besides, when the S2 comes out, it'll become the muggers' magnet that the original was. Mine won't leave the house for at least a year.
I sell if it's obsolete, no point in keeping something I won't touch any more
I will "Switch" between the two. LOL!
Pun aside, haven't even thought about it.
Same thing I did with my Wii when I got a Wii U. Toss the thing into storage.
Pretty unlikely for a Lite version of the successor to launch at the same time with the regular one. Switch Lite is pretty much perfect for me, small enough to take it to work with me. Unless Nintendo managed create a console with similar form factor, I'll be playing my Lite for years to come.
Nintendo are known for following up mega console success with a right royal cock up but surely, surely they have learned from the Wii U.
Not being backward compatible would be a huge error and akin to taking a gun and shooting themselves in the foot!
Next Switch will surely be backward compatible and still take cartridges.
They don’t need to change much at all.
I’d like 8inch screen.
Better joy con.
A bit more power.
They can’t get this wrong, they just can’t.
Already sold my OLED and got a Switch Lite for £60. Saved the rest for the next Switch.
Same thing I’ve done with all my other consoles, keep it and continue to use it, just less frequently.
If it is backwards compatible and more or less a full replacement for the Switch, would most likely pass it on to a family member seeing as I've done that before when I gave my initial Switch to my mother-in-law because she wanted to play Animal Crossing with my SO and I.
Keep it, but probably store it. The PS5 basically plays all PS4 things, but I still have the PS4 set up, even though there's literally nothing on it anymore lol.
Thinking about it, maybe I ought to move that into storage, too...
Install cfw to mod Smash Ultimate, emulate games Nintendo refuses to bring to NSO (where the heck are Golden Sun: The Lost Age and Metroid: Zero Mission?), and back up my games to play on Steam Deck if Switch 2 doesn't already enhance them in any meaningful way. That's just what I'll do with my OG switch, I don't know what I'll do with the OLED, either sell it or hand it down to someone else I guess.
It will get hooked up in my kids' room to their TV so they can play docked. Right now, they mainly play on the Switch Lite in their room.
Burn it, then eat it.
As long as there is life in my little Switch friend, I will not part ways with it.
I'd keep it for sentimental reason; for playing games that runs at 60 fps on it; to free up space on the Switch 2 (i.e. not having to buy as big a memory card for it) plus I have a Switch Lite and it probably wouldn't be worth a lot (plus plus, I regretted selling my 3DS XL when I bought a New 3DS XL).
Keep it for the mods probably...depends on the next system.
I still have every Nintendo console since the NES, safely tucked away in the closet. I'll keep it in the original box to someday pull it out and relive the good ol' days.
i hoping if the Nintendo Switch sucessor have backward compatibly, is allow me to easily migrate all my games to the console, dont restrict migration of software only for digital games, it need to apply to both, occasionly, i might play my Switch, even the successor in hand
All DEMAND backwards compatibility but when You all going to play games for next system ?
I've never sold any of the others, and I'm not likely to start now.
Probably sell it off. In the past I probably would have kept it, but I don't need to hold on to stuff that I won't use anymore.
Definitely keep it. I still have all my old DSes after all, and I still even use them. For example, after playing Another Code on my DS Lite, I plan to play Hotel Dusk on my DS Fat. Why the fat? Because Hotel Dusk is compatible with the rumble pak, which is the size of a GBA cart and sticks out awkwardly on the Lite, lol.
I still have a use for all my Nintendo devices. I would never get rid of one.
If it's not backwards compatible, I'll simply not be buying it.
Switch 2 won't be backwards compatible. If it were, then Nintendo wouldn't be able to take Switch 1 games, port them, and price them as brand new.
Depends, if Switch 2 is better in every way including an OLED screen, I guess the new model would replace the old. I have a Lite and an OLED and the Lite mostly gets dusty, though I occasionally play it. The Lite convinced me to buy the OLED to be honest, as I realised I was mostly gaming on the Switch over my PS4.
I kept my NES theme GBA SP though when I got a DS Lite, mainly as I like the design. Still have my launch 3DS and a 2DS XL too, which I still play on occasion.
I’ll either sell it or mod it. I sold my launch Switch to a local shop when I got my OLED.
If the Switch 2 is backward compatible . . . I would get it for my kids to play and maybe I could actually get my hands on the og Switch to finish off some of the games I started up on it.
I might just end up keeping it.
Starting with the Saturn,PS1 and N64 I keep my consoles & games. I did pass on my original Switch to my nephew when I upgraded to my OLED. Plus I have a ton of Switch games and I’d fill my Switch 2 to capacity on day 1 if I moved my games over.
Give it my little guy so he can finish it off. It's not very sturdy unfortunately but he should be able to get some decent mileage out of it.
I'm in a great position to have a switch lite. My handhelds never collect dust I always find time to use them.
If it is backwards compatible I will wait until the OLED/Zelda version comes out and keep using my switch. After the OLED successor comes out I will use my v2 switch as a travel system (so if stolen/damaged I won’t be as bothered). My OLED will go in my bedroom or office to play.
Honestly since the name of the game is revisions I am a lot less interested in buying systems day one. Only good thing is everything is region free now. Gonna fix/upgrade my retro systems and finish buying my ps4/Switch back catalog. After that I can sit out a new system for a while unless the games are mind blowing. Which is rarer and rarer for me.
I tend to give away my older systems when I buy the next thing.
I have the space and don’t need the money. I’ll just hold on to it. May have kids someday and it’d be fun to bust out these old consoles and play with them again.
If I didn’t have the Tears of The Kingdom OLED I probably would sell it for cheap on a local marketplace. But I regret not keeping any of my old special edition consoles so I’m going to hold on to it.
As long as it has full back-compat, and there's no archaic console-to-console transfer nonsense, I'll trade mine in for the new model in a heartbeat
I’d probably mod my original Switch and use the “Switch 2” as my go-to official hardware. That way I could play custom versions of Mario Kart, Smash, and more without the risk of getting my main account banned.
The wife ain’t gonna like it, but if the switch successor has backwards compatibility, I’m hacking the Zelda OLED
Keep it for travel and the gym….
I currently have my PS5 upstairs in the "Games" room with a gaming monitor.
The Switch is set up downstairs hooked up to the main TV. I've done it that way because the Switch is better suited to being downstairs playing Bowling and Tennis etc, not enough room upstairs for swinging your arms around.
Backwards compatible or not when I get a Switch 2 my Switch 1 will be Keeping the PS5 company upstairs as a secondary console
@GoshJosh That is very shortsighted you know.
They could actually take the PS5 route. Allow you to download the regular Switch 1 version for free, but then offer a next-gen patch for a small fee.
There's definitely ways for them to earn money on some on the backwards compatibility.
It wouldn't be the first time they do backwards compatibility.
And with the switch it's quite easy since it will almost certainly use a Tegra chip which will be the same architecture as that of the current Switch. So no emulation is really required, just a compatibility layer.
If the next Switch runs the same OS or an upgraded version of the same OS (Horizon), then there might not even be a need for a compatibility layer. Switch games would just run natively in that case (assuming that all switch libraries and dependencies are still present).
But yeah I would not rule out the possibility. It wouldn't make sense for them to not have the backwards compatibility.
Given the enormous player base, if they didn't include backwards compatibility then I think they run the risk of loosing players.
Games take longer and longer to develop and if the rumours are true that the next system will be released in 2024.
They are going to have a hard time getting a good lineup of launch titles ready, given that we got a new Mario and a new Zelda this year already.
But if they give the system backwards compatibility and make it so that it can give the Switch games next-gen patches.
Then in theory we could see a Breath of the Wild 4K Remaster and Mario Odyssey Deluxe (Or something like that) as well as perhaps Metroid Prime 4 at launch.
Plus all the players who transition over from the Switch will have their Switch games to play.
And that would probably be the best launch in the history of Nintendo as long as they market it well and the system is good.
if it is and i can transfer all my digital content to it, then ill mod it when the time is right. It has one of the craziest libraries of all time after all
I have two daughters aged 7 and 6 but I haven’t seen them for four years and may never do so again. However this doesn’t stop me getting things for them in hope. They both have iPad’s in case they ever come back. They both have movies and music and toys and stuff.
Just before they went away the eldest was four and I was just starting to teach her Mario, I was creating courses for her in Mario maker and she was learning how to move Mario and do simple jumps.
So whatever happens with the switch 2 I will keep the switch OLED in the hope that one day it will be used by my girls.
Ever since the last Gamecube days I've kept my systems. So even if it's backwards compatible, I'll probably just keep it.
Though it's in my plans to phase out my current Switch in favor of an OLED and a Switch Lite. I have no hurry nor need to be an early adopter of the Switch 2.
@anoyonmus Exactly my plan as well.
Errr sell it, of course haha
@DaniPooo Probably, but this is Nintendo. The same company who took WII U games, did the bare minimum, and charged full price for the Switch port.
I'm the oldest of three brothers, and while my younger brother has a Switch of his own, our middle brother does not, so I'd pass it onto him along with some of my physical games I've already beaten. But it would be great if current games transferred over and even if the carts still worked as I haven't necessarily played/beaten all of them! Would be EVEN nicer if it could output even old games at 4k or something with patches/updates
Probably throw it in a canal
I normally keep my old consoles and then when support for them stops I'll mod it or something.
I have two OLED's so I may keep mine whilst I trade my partners in towards the Switch 2 which will be shared. But I will definitely be picking up one just for myself later on when the inevitable Special Editions start releasing.
I have more than multiple multiple.
They're not going anywhere.
In 30 years people will look back at the Switch as an iconic period in gaming history and the pinnacle of the 'owning your games and hardware' era.
I love and cherish the Switch and will happily be cremated with my collection.
Cherish it. It was there for me through a lot in life.
If the Joycons & Pro Controller are compatible with the next system, I'm definitely holding on to it. Not everyone around here prefers playing Smash with GC controllers.
I’m way ahead of you guys, my youngest went off to college in August so I let them take the Switch, Switch 2 will be in the house, if and when I need it. At this point I really only care about Mario Galaxy 3 or similar. I would likely buy an MK8D Complete port, or better yet MK9, but I’m only buying the Switch 2 for an epic 3D Mario adventure or maybe Pikmin 5. PS5 has me covered for 3rd party games.
Blend it with milk and drink it.
All in no more than 3 gulps.
If Switch 2 is backwards compatible, I will keep my original Switch... and absolutely mod and hack it to my hearts content.
Same as with my DS: keep it for ease of trading between pokemon games, and as a backup for if the "Switch 2" ever breaks.
Plus, it's the special Pikachu & Eevee pattern, so I'd never want to get rid of it even if it stopped working.
I'd probably give it to my son when he's a bit older. It would be a great little first console for him.
Chances are I'll keep playing it regardless. Switch has the biggest library among all my platforms by a wide margin, way more than my gluttonous posterior can keep installed at a time. Buying multiple Switches just to address that FWP would be silly; swapping memory cards was tried years ago and proved a hassle. But an equally hybrid AND backward compatible successor to invest in anyway for more portable goodness from the properly native Kingdom Hearts ports to the practically inevitable Xenoblade 4? Now we're talking.
The only and even then a notably longer term alternative would be to hack the Switch for use with potential translation-patched games that will have never made it westward over either generation by then (I'm staring at you, Nosurge dilogy😒). But then again, most of such cases so far seem to be ports of older games with presumably expired localisation licenses, so their hypothetical patched versions might well present little challenge for Yuzu on Deck, too. ¯(ツ)/¯
Kids. Here’s your Wii U replacement. Leave my new console alone.
Sell it.
Granted, I'm not upgrading until an OLED model comes out. I'm done with LCD handhelds now.
If the switch 2 is backwards compatible, they would need a very compelling launch day and subsequent releases to convert me. I’m very happy with my switch with a backlog that adds up to 1 year worth of gaming.
With that said, I’m certainly not against its release. 😋
Speaking from personal experience, I traded in my Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance to get the GBA SP because it was backwards compatible with all of those along with a rechargeable battery and light up screen. A couple years later, I sold my GameCube because the Wii was backwards compatible and I was a broke college student. Approximately two decades later, I regret both moves. They're low on my list of regrets and I'm aware money was a bigger issue for me back then than it is now, but if nothing else, needing fresh batteries in the Wii remote just to turn on a GameCube game is enough to make me want a do-over. So I'll hang on to my Switch just for whatever issues I may not foresee.
Got two Switches. Kids already got one, they'll get the second one too.
Why, hack it of course! Honestly, I can't see any other alternative. It's hacking time!
I still play games for my Switch Lite. So I really dont need a frikkin Switch "2"
The rumor of it costing $1.99 for each game to redownload on the next console is probably true
if backward compability with Ad hoc Support probaly Keep it
I will keep it, for my son to play on.
And switch 2 has to have backward com.
I usually keep my old consoles but I own multiple Switches. I’ll likely sell or trade my OG Switch, 2019 Switch and my white OLED and keep my Splatoon 3 OLED. I’m a huge Splatoon fan so this isn’t surprising. The old Switches were all system transferred so there’s nothing on them. My Splatoon 3 Joy-Cons aren’t perfect since after being played for an entire year, the right one can pop off in handheld play if I’m too rough and the L button on the left has to be pressed harder, but they are just gorgeous. Even if they get unplayable, they’ll be preserved somehow. The dock is great too.
We’ll see how BC is done on Switch NG before I figure out how often I’ll still play the old system. After all, it needs to be announced first. My 3DS still gets played occasionally so I wouldn’t be surprised if my Switch is the same way, especially since there’s still my backlog…
Well, I will use Switch 2 to play both Switch and Switch 2 games.
And I still keep my old Switch so I can visiting each other in ACNH.
@GoshJosh And it's also the company who had completely free backwards compatibility on GBA, DS, 3DS, Wii and Wii U.
And made gameboy and gameboy advance adapters for SNES and Gamecube,
Sure they probably could try to make some money on the backward compatibility. But I think they probably go with next-gen patches or bind the backwards compatibility to the online subscription to get more people to sign up.
I have a launch year Switch so if everything can transfer over I'll mod the old Switch without having to worry about messing up anything on my main console.
Either sell it or give to one of my younger siblings. I’m sure they would appreciate it.
I mean its not even a thought that crossed my mind, I have been collecting consoles I dont use and giving them a happy home on display for years, and in that time I have accumulated 8 Switches and have zero intention of getting rid of them for as long as I am breathing, I will welcome 'Switch 2' with open arms day 1 and any revisions it has throughout its life
Into the electronics bin in my basement it goes, along with my Wii u, Wii, GameCube, DS, 3DS, GBA and GBC.
more relevant question: if the switch 2 ISN'T backwards compatible, are you still interested?
in my case, ill wait... a long time... before getting one. 👍
if it is, I'll get one and the switch 1 will become more of a handheld to me.
either way, im keeping my switch. you youngsters dont realize it yet, but you are gonna regret some if not most/all of the trade ins and sales of your old systems. I'm so glad i kept most of mine since NES 👍👍
@Classic603
wtf WHY the basement?! get that gamecube outta there! 😂
I have a feeling Switch 2 won't be compatible with Labo. The only Labo set I own is the basic version of the VR kit but I can't stand the thought of permanently locking myself out of playing it, so I'll probably keep my Switch for those occasions every few years when I feel like blasting a cardboard cannon
side note: my dream is there is no "switch 2." nintendo comes out with a cutting edge (but still very "nintendo" CONSOLE, a "gamecube 2" if you will) and continues support of the switch as a handheld, perhaps with another hardware update (a lite OLED perhaps, but with better controls.)
i miss the days of a two-tiered approach TERRIBLY: with switch, the console style games are not as "consoley," and the handheld style games arent quite there, either. its an uncomfortable limbo that confronts us as nintendo fans in 2023 CONSTANTLY, yet we pretend like everything is 100% in hybrid console world. 🙄
I’ll be donating mine to a kid whose parents can’t afford to buy them one - maybe with a Nintendo gift card.
I’ve certainly gotten my money’s worth out of it, and I know how much it would mean to a kiddo without such luxuries.
I'll be keeping mine because it was the first console I bought with my own money so I'm also slightly sentimental with it.
As a collector, I'll hold onto my launch and OLED Switch consoles. My gaming is split between playing new games and my retro collection. I have a setup that allows me to play every Nintendo console game and Gameboy/Color/Advance on my 4k TV. Whether or not Switch 2 is backwards compatible, I'll be playing Switch games for years to come.
For me it’s more like what will I do if it’s NOT backwards compatible. My Steamdeck will become my primary portable gaming system. No excuse for no backwards compatibility these days.
I'll be modding the heck out of it to goof around and see what I can do like I did with my 3DS when I got a New 3DSXL and my Wii U when I got a Switch.
Keep all the games that either don't get upgraded by the new one or don't particularly need upgrades to save memory on the new system hah
It'll probably just become the kids' officially and I'll hook it up to our smaller TV in the other room, and the Switch 2 will go on the main TV
Same thing I've always been using my gen 1 Switch for; homebrew and modding my saves for my single player games. If I really like a game I'll move the save from that switch to my OLED and play it there. Its been great for certain RPGs, max money usually or stat raise items so I can enjoy them at whatever pace I feel like.
If its fully backwards compatible then I'll likely pass it on. I know two people who bought the lite and regretted not splashing out for the docked version. The question is which of the two of the should I pass it on too 🤔
But if its not BC, then I'm keeping it 💯 Too good a console to leave behind.
Have a lot of great memories with my launch Switch. Will be keeping it around, probably hook it up in the basement next to the Wii U
Probably just bin it
I have a decent arcade stick so may try to make myself a homemade arcade cabinet with a monitor that swivels into tate mode.
I'd keep all my shmups, fighting games and beat em ups on the switch 1 for use with the arcade stick and transfer everything else to the switch 2
@-wc-
My new house is tiny lol, so no room for all the ol electronics.
@PeteW
What do you like for your Switch arcade stick? Is it bluetooth?
Keep them as secondary consoles and feel more comfortable taking them out of home because the place I live isn't exactly the kind of place where you can play a handheld on the bus, train or in a square safely
@msvt I have a Hori Rap V with Semitsu LS58 stick and Sanwa buttons. This setup is ideal for shmups but is also playable with fighting games too.
It's wired.
Probably get rid of it. It’s not my favourite tbh. I feel let down by the stupid joycons. I really do hope this switch 2 is backwards compatible and has a much better controller attached.
My brother wants to play Tears of the Kingdom, but doesn't want to feel like he would be taking the switch away from me. So this is an easy answer. Let him take my Switch and I upgrade to the new model.
Probably throw it in the loose electronic parts drawer with the other handhelds. It's a tad worse for wear so I can't sell it for anything.
"If" Switch 2 is backwards compatible???
I think at this point it's pretty obvious it will be. Just take a read of the title of Tuesday's article:
"Nintendo's 330M+ User Accounts Will Be Foundation Of 'Lasting Relationship With Consumers'"
The vast majority of those 330M are Switch accounts. It's not much of a "lasting relationship" if you deprive your customers of the reason they bought a switch in the first place: to play switch games!
I understand the angle of an "out there hypothetical theory" for a slow news day. I mean, know you guys know, or well, are "highly confident" it will be backward compatible.
But yesh, I'll lend it to friends/family. That way the nostalgia remains along with multiple people getting to enjoy it as most gamers inevitably put consoles down for a time in order to play sth on a different platform/another hobby/life
@The_Pixel_King
Good call. The OLED will have the best re-sale value, hands down.
I will finally take it outside de house where it's never been before.
it was always worth keeping old nintendo systems, be it the gbc, gba, ngc, ds , wii etc
Stuff it inside my sock and use it as a foot warmer. Eventually I'll buy a second Switch so I can warm both my feet.
Definitely keep it as a second console. I’d probably delete all the cartridge games and use it as strictly digital only to bring on trips and stuff.
@SpinEnDash I can relate but only for the N64. I sold my N64 and goldeneye to raise money to buy a gamecube (black) at launch. It would be cool to have that original 64 still. I've bought a couple used ones, one being the translucent 'Jungle Green' but it's fun to have the original. I dropped my gamecube and the laser mechanism broke, but it was right around the time the Wii came out so I was able to do that. Yeah, it's a little tedious.. As great as it is to be able to play GCN games on my Wii, and Wii games on the Wii U. I agree there's something about playing a game on the native console. Not just the convenience of no adapters & extra menu navigation.. but a certain.. nostalgia(?) to it?
I've kept that Wii and Wii U.
I have 3 children, so we're gonna keep our first gen and OLED!
I'd keep it, it's just convenient to have another handheld around. Plus my wife could make her own island on Animal Crossing on the Switch if I move mine to the Switch 2.
@boatie Smart. Love the Simpsons ref.
"Homer, are you going to eat it?"
"Yes"
Collapses and starts crawling XD
I'll keep my special editions for display.
If Switch 2 is backwards compatible, my son gets my old one the day I get a new console!
Install retroarch via cfw. Put my Vita in storage.
Probably give me Lite to my brother while keeping my OLED as a fallback. While also getting to looking into extensively modding it.
Keep it as a second controller for games that are stingy with local multiplayer or simply are too power intensive for local play. Will require a second copy of each game of course.
Prime canadettes are Alice Gear Aegis (which can go up to 6 players wireless) and Pokken Tournament for that arcade preservation it lost when ported away from Wii U.
I have multiple switches, multiple 3DS
@branchus I have multiple switches, multiple 3DS
Same here as well. I'll keep my OLEDS and New 3DS XL units for the time being.
I have an OLED so if the next one only has an LCD ill probably continue to use it for switch games honestly
If the new system is backwards compatible, my first impulse is to sell the original. But as of late I'm in a pattern now where I got my mom playing my old DSi system, and she's played that completely into the ground now (I've replaced the battery twice, touch screen scraped badly). More than likely I would upgrade her to my Switch as I get a shiny new Switch 2. I loved my 3DS, and still do, too much to upgrade her to that. Plus my 3DS is my lasting hardware to play 3DS and DS games, as is my GBA SP is for Game Boy Advance and Game Boy games.
@SwitchForce
I will keep them all, they are assets, even though they might not used to play games.
Personally I hope nintendo keep the switch as the new Gameboy. And bring something new to the table. It almost feels a bit boring to think the successor to switch will be much the same with more power. I know some will disagree but hey we all have our own opinions.
Keep the original Switch to add another thing to keep charged in case the power goes out like my other past handhelds.
Even after the new Smash Bros comes out there's no way I'm selling my modded Switch with 500+ Ultimate mods. It'll just be my Smash machine.
I'll pass mine to my daughter. I already promised her. She'll only play Animal Crossing on it
I already got it modded so keep it for mods
It depends on whether the playing experience is better than the original switch. I hope for better build quality but it could be worse. I would love a more premium feeling, sturdy successor. If the successor is made of creaky, bendy plastic again, that cracks when you dock it. I'll keep my old switch on standby for when it breaks. Also, I am not sure that I'll get the next console.
Oh wow, I did not expect the majority of people here to hold on to it! Interesting.
If it literally did everything my original Switch could do and all my games are playable on Switch 2? I’d trade/sell it towards Switch 2 once I got all my profiles carried over.
This is all just hypothetical right?
Keep it. I doubt Switch 2 will be FULLY backwards compatible. There’s always some legal issue or another keeping a title or two off. Just like how Crash Twinsanity for Xbox can’t be played on the 360 or series x.
J**LBR**K it obviously
I'd hack my original Switch for sure. There's quite a few things I'd like to do, like take advantage of better training mode mods for Smash, or portably access some of the neat homebrew games that people have put out or ported to Switch.
Chuck it in the bin.
Keep it, along with my Wii U, PS4, PS3, PS2, DS Lite, DSi XL, and multiple 3DSes. It's an awesome games room!
@Classic603
ah, pardon me. i should have thought of that! 😅
good on you for hanging onto it though! im so glad for the stuff ive held onto.
...but im also grateful to have modern, convenient, compact ways to play the classics, Switch chief among them! and my vintage stuff doesnt have to be out in the way just so I can play the old games. its a good time to be a retro fan 🙂
@TotalHenshin
i think your position is sensible, yet looking back im ever so pleased that i didnt sell my cube when wii came out! i play it all the time!
i think ill find a use case for the switch, esp since it can be used portably, even if and when i get a 2.
Keep the console for awhile then sell it afterwards. Same with the docks if they don't work for the rumored "Switch 2."
Keep it.
Secondary console, extra storage space, plus I like to see the games that push the hardware on the actual hardware. Not the same if Switch 2 can do it in its sleep.
@BaldBelper78 so the wii U sold 13 million. And it had backwards compatibility. So why are you citing it as an example of why they should have backwards compatibility .
I guess I would keep it.
Also I have the Splatoon 3 edition of the OLED, I couldn't give that away.
I would probably hack it.
For me its the same pattern as always. I had a switch and bought an oled, so gave my old to my daughter. When the switch 2 comes out, ill pass on my oled to my daughter and she will give her switch to someone in need of one. Likely a friend she wants to play minecraft with who may not be able to afford one. Ive no need to sell it, thats a hassle and someone else will just mark it up and resell it. This way I know itll be used by someone who wants it.
Sell it. I barely have enough time in my life to play with one console and it'll be quite outdated by the time my kids are old enough to have their own, so keeping an older one is pointless.
As always, I never buy first iteration of consoles. I wait until updated version comes out (oled) as it has had most of its problems ironed out.
I'm still happy with my switch and series x
Anything that plays unique physical media has indefinite value. Case in point: I still use my NES once a year, I had to use a VCR a few weeks ago, I need to rip some CDs this weekend, and I'm on the lookout for a miniDV player.
Perhaps it's an age thing, but I see a lot of people who are like 22 and younger that have no concept of future media needs. So, yea, please sell your Switch right away, I'll be happy to have more on the market when/if my current one needs replacing!
I'll be keeping it. The amount of times I have heard people lament that they sold their original Gameboy, Gamecube, or (insert console here) is insane.
I'll give to a small mammal.
@-wc- Thank you. I understand people have different proclivities, but I also didn’t sell my GCN when I got a Wii, and pretty much never used the GCN again. 😅 I only kept it because I like the silver color and GCNs weren’t getting much trade-in value once I did get a Wii. If the Switch isn’t trading in well by the time I get a Switch 2, then… idk. Maybe my wife would like to use it, but if we both knew a family member or friend who couldn’t afford it for their kids, we’d be more inclined to not hold on to it. 🤷♂️
@TotalHenshin
"we both knew a family member or friend who couldn’t afford it for their kids, we’d be more inclined to not hold on to it."
this is the way. 👍
i didnt use my gamecube during the wii era, and honestly likely kept it for similar reasons as you (wasnt worth anything, looked cool in black 😆)
but now that i dont game constantly on wii anyway, i do prefer the experience of firing up the cube and "just playing." it would be nice if there were a setting on the wii to "just play" a game from boot, if there was a disc in the slot.
anyway im rambling ✌️
I believe I'll keep my OLED Switch, as some others have said, for trips and travel.
Play in handheld more and hope for Wii U games to come to Switch 2 where it’s a gamepad.
@-wc- I do miss that quick boot up. The best feature they ever added to the Wii U was that Quick Start screen.
I regret selling all the systems when I was young (but I had to, of course) - so nowadays I'm not going to sell any system again. And I'm keeping the games that I liked, as well.
Not least because this might be the only way to preserve them, going forward! If one day you wanna re-buy one of these modern games, chances are they're incomplete on the cartridge, but update servers have long gone. Then what?
Watch the bc becomes cloud based and is part of the NSO package which you will need to sub to in order to access those games. this is a real possibility moving forward. Or it could be like the Wii U had a hypervisor running the Wii. So many questions and possibilities we aren't even aware of.
Keep it (I don't care to sell/have no one to give it to even if I did choose to). I have backlogs of games for each console I own so won't make sense to be BC only consoles (and more life/use on them dying and replacing too) if got more options.
Also say Switch 2 is too big or particular peripherals need to use Switch 1 for. Or firmware/game compatibility. Why not pack the original smaller one instead. Having multiple is good. Don't always care about enhancements. Same with a VCR/CD/DVD/Blu-ray.
I have consoles that can play my CDs (I can play my PS1 games with music tracks, don't own a PS1, can't play those in my PS3 it won't read them just says an error but I can still play the games just not listen to the music tracks) but if I had modern only only my Xbox One/Series consoles could even then it's an app download, not out of the box. 360/PS3 not problem. Say I need a printer, the PS3 can... XD I know I know practical need for that but still funny/cool it can than not and going ah ok a laptop/desktop around.
I like backwards compatibility as an option for old and new, I use either depending on preference. Sometimes saves so PS1 memory cards nah, PS3 storage why not, emulation/enhancements not always interested of Xbox One/Series, cloud saves eh..... do I care about the game enough.
Some formats have benefits of old to new for specific things. Printing not likely but old movies/footage maybe to bring up to modern from old for example. Or easy way to play old. Or archiving maybe?
Still got PS4s, that and I myself don't want a PS5.
Got PS2/3 for PS1 BC and their own games, Wii for GameCube (don't own a GameCube) and Wii, Wii U for Wii/Wii U games. Got an OG DS for GBA (never owned a GBA) but never had GBA games even when used to own an OG DS. Got my DSi and New 3DS XL for different reasons.
360 for its and OG Xbox as have no OG Xbox (and the not BC games on Xbox One/Series aka licensed racing games, gems no one puts up for BC due to licensing/IP relevance/source code/company is dead). I have 2 Ace Combat games, 1 isn't compatible, the other is BC compatible. How else would I play the other, a 360. Prototype 2 isn't come on Activision, same with Test Drive Unlimited 2, but Grid 2 is BC. I had no play to play Project Gotham Racing 1 & 2, played them in 2020 and loved them. Played the whole series on 360. Gems or greats that can't got to have the old console.
PSVR1 well an adapter for PS5 sure but if not well PS4 works well. PS Move got a Super Slim just for those games/more storage space/another PS3 model I didn't own. Peripherals, a spare console around when need to and game availability old or new.
I don't do testing but if I wanted I could battery life tests for games if I wanted to or colours with OLED or not(not OLED Switch, OLED Vita and LCD 2000 model with pixelation more or PS TV if I wanted, sure limited games support but those can and TV why not). Options I find more interesting. Sure can sell but I like the options/besides just collecting.
The power doesn't matter and if for storage/playability the old is still worth it.
I'll be keeping it around and still playing it for a while, or passing it to the kids...kind of. That thing will probably not leave the dock in my room. So I guess it's actually Secret Option Z. It retires into a home console (mostly) permanently. I doubt the form factor will be 1:1 with the current Switch, also, and I lovethe accessories I have for it so much. I can't imagine the next Switch feeling better than the current one on a Nitro Deck.
Let's put it this way: given how many remakes and ports of Wii U and other legacy titles have been released on the Switch, who in their right mind would be okay with Nintendo NOT including full backwards compatibility with the "Switch 2"? Current displays only have so many HDMI ports and room around/underneath them for additional consoles, after all, so being able to access "everything" in one place that's tied to your user account instead of a single piece of hardware carries immense value for the consumer. Or are you really okay with being asked to fork out yet again for them (or have them locked behind some subscription bottomless pit)? Nintendo's games may tend to be "family/gamer friendly" but their business practices tend to be anything but.
I mean, most people probably kept their Wii even though the Wii U was backwards compatible. I just like the idea of having some older consoles.
[del]Given that Nintendo will likely only allow you to sign into one console to download digital purchases, it’ll probably be rendered mostly useless once I sign into my Switch 2.
I’ll more than likely keep it to play my physical library though… I can’t see myself selling it or trading it outright.
My wife got it for me for Christmas so it holds quite a bit of sentimental value too.[/del]
I always thought you could only have a primary switch which is why I always thought it was weird people had multiple switches… well today I learned you can have multiple switches with your same login. Nevermind…
Still, not getting rid of my OG switch!
Play the TTYD remake.
@gcunit Good point! The past 7 years have been the greatest gaming years of my life. I will keep my switch if only as a reminder of this wonderful era of gaming.
Sell it, like I hope to do with my Deck if I can get the 90fps capable OLED Deck. Seriously, with so many of my games digital I couldn't use the old OLED Switch for much.
Bit of a stupid question. If the “Switch 2” is BC, my Switch will be traded in for said “Switch 2”. There is little to no reason to hang on to it.
I will keep all my 5 Switches ( 1 banned , 1 still on 6.2 , 1 only works with Split Pad Pro )
I have my og, my lite and my oled. The switch is my favorite nintendo console of all time. I’ll never get rid off them
@ChromaticDracula this is inaccurate, you can download all of your purchases on multiple switches. Only caveat is that one of those will be the primary which means it can play those games without being connected to the internet
I often sell every console and move on to the next one when there is backwards compatibility but I’m not doing that this time, I’m keeping my Zelda special edition until I draw my last breath on this earth.
Hack it, have one hacked already but my legit one will be getting hacked.
Gonna put it in the bedroom and plug it onto the TV there if we're in the mood to play in bed on sunday mornings.
Nothing. Why bother when the next gen of consoles is out and Nintendo is still two generations behind?
I still have every console I've ever owned and I'm not about to do any different this time around. Although this time, if it's BC and especially if they maintain dock compatibility, it'll find itself on a second screen somewhere
I mean, I've been considering getting a Lite or a second Dock anyways. This would be no different
For simplicity's sake, I'll keep it exactly where it is now: docked in my entertainment center. I still use my Wii to play Wii games despite owning a Wii U. The Switch will be no different.
I will pass it on to my niece. She will be 9 next year and she loves to play Animal Crossing whenever she visits us.
I’ve kept all my Nintendo consoles from the SNES to the Wii U, which all still work perfectly and I’ll be keeping my Switch OLED too.
There’s something about Nintendo hardware that is timeless, so why trade these amazing machines for a few pennies?
My PS4 now refuses to turn on and my PS3 keeps overheating if kept on overnight and will soon succumb to the YLOD. Sony consoles are two a penny in CEX, the games are throwaway really, whereas Nintendo games and consoles are gaming history.
Getting rid of it I would most be concerned that it would still be tied to my Nintendo account somehow.
Maybe it will end up in my drawer of old phones. But I have 4 pair of joycon, a pro controller, a drum...so...maybe all that stuff would be of use to someone.
@Baler your joycons are attached?
Really though, how silly. Get different controller...
At the very least, I'll keep one of my OLEDs and my two Pokémon Lites.
I have no intention of discarding my consoles, though I did give my launch Switch to my sister to use docked exclusively, and I'm thinking of giving my Let's Go console to my cousin's kids (just the console; I'm keeping the Joy-Cons/dock).
I hoard, I mean, collect consoles actually so my switch ain’t going anywhere 😅
If it's the case, I might be interested in getting the second or third model of "Switch2", wichever is the cheapest and sturdiest one.
Otherwise, maybe it would be time to get a Switch Lite, especially if there's a price drop. (Although, the number of games on it interesting me is worriyngly low, compared to DS and 3DS in their time.)
This is why I prefer physical copies of my games. When it comes time, I’ll sell the switch and some games so I have enough to upgrade.
@LikelySatan if you can find me better joy cons I will. All third party options are junk.
@Baler yeah no.
Sell it. Sell it. Sell it.
@LikelySatan exactly
I doubt the new switch will be backwards compatible. Xbox vs playstation it sort of makes sense to do it. But nintendo would definitely make more money if they don't. For one, people will still be buying switch consoles. Second, Nintendo could sell upgraded versions of switch games. I think they will just keep Nintendo accounts and people can play their nes and snes games on the new switch.
I'd keep it to finally play mods of Switch games other than just collection and sentimental value, although I don't exclude the possibility of passing it on to a friend who doesn't have it if I ever make one just like I gave my original 3DS to a university friend!
So many people just assuming this will be another Switch. It could be something else entirely.
@Baler I can't give you the five minutes it would take for you to Google that, you'll have to find it yourself. Then you'll need to buy things and try them. God speed.
But anyway, I don't play wii style motion games anymore. I used a Nitro Deck, King Kong 2, Pro Controller, Hori Split Pad, or the Binbok whatever they're called, lol. I have a ton of overengineered chapstick tube sized assssss controllers that lack dpads too though. In case something breaks or I hate myself.
New console for home, old console for the office. Or turn the old console into an arcade cabinet.
@Moonlessky oooohhhhhh yikes - I always thought you needed a primary switch and that was the one and only.
I’ll edit my post— thank you for clearing that up 😬
highly doubt anyone would want mine. the top has separated from the heat, the fan barely works(external fans pointed at it keeps it cool and running), and a small scratch/crack in the screen. it'll remain as a secondary and backup till it fully dies.
I'm saving mine for when homebrew becomes as easy to install as it is on 3DS.
Considering the switch 2 likely wont have an OLED screen, I will be keeping mine.
Sold it of course, why I want switch 1 if switch 2 has BC, it's like ps4 vs ps5.
@norwichred
Man I’m so sorry you’re having to go through that.
My son was just born a week ago. And I can’t even begin to comprehend how I’ll stay sane when I have to go back to work in another week or so.
Like this little guy has changed my entire outlook on life. I haven’t even played any of my video games since we brought him home. All I want to do is have him lay on my chest while I read or watch tv. It’s the happiest I have ever been. When he looks at me and I look back into his eyes I damn near cry every time.
With that said, some of the nights have been ROUGH. But it’s getting easier every day as me and my girlfriend learn more about his patterns.
I have the Animal Crossing Switch and a Switch Lite. I'd definately keep the Lite but unsure on the regular one.
Am starting to have issues with the fan being really noisy on start up which i've already had it repaired for. Is a 3 year old model and it's had a lot of use. At this point i'm just going to play it until it finally coinks out.
Hopefully the new Switch will be at least somewhat backwards compatiable. Even if it only allows downloadable games to play i'd be okay with that since i have the Lite.
I just want Nintendo to release a Wii 2 one day, I liked the Wiimote way better than the small Joycons...
I'm a console collector so I will probably hack my original (which I haven't done and don't do untill the next generation console is out regardless of brand) and then store my 2 other (oled and lite).
It doesn't matter to me if it is backwards compatible.
EVERYTHING I OWN IS DIGITAL so it won't benefit me unless it's such a fantastic design that I can re-download any number of my 200+ eShop titles which is about as likely as Tottenham winning the league this year.
Probably keep the original for travel, I don't think I'll complete my Switch backlog before I die, so I can reserve some for that. I imagine some growth in the transition period too.
If the Switch 2 is just a hardware upgrade but otherwise essentially just a fancy Switch, I probably would wait a few years to purchase unless my 2018 model kicks it. I'm not really sold on the hardware upgrade yet, as I feel the Switch still looks excellent, and for the games I play (Mostly ports of games 2011 or older) the graphical upgrade will be minor anyways.
I like keeping my old gaming consols as collectibles.
My family mostly keeps for sentimentality. I might consider selling at least one of them if they go all weird like 3DS where the transfer forced you to lobotomize your old device.
@branchus I will keep them all, they are assets, even though they might not used to play games.
If the Switch 2 has a 3ds dual screen option and tech to play 3DS games I would be all for this as well and if so be sell my New 3DS XL consoles so I only have to use one. But that means all the 3DS saves will be gone as well.
Continue playing it until there's 8-10ish good games that actually justify the purchase of the successor console
@OrtadragoonX
Those lying down on your chest times as they fall asleep are so precious, my son who is nearly 9 remembers those fondly, it means so much. Keep up the good work!
C.
Hey guys, but what if the news Switch also had 3D and could emulate DS and 3DS? I think it would make sense to have the new Nintendo Switch compatible with DS and 3DS cartridges-you could have the second screen on the lady or right and with a touchscreen it wouldn’t be an issue. Also this way, Nintendo would boost sales of the new switch, because a lot of people today buy new retro handhelds so they can play these older cartridges. This way Nintendo would cut out competition since it could play all the formats and at the same time lure consumers into buying more switch games. Also it would make the ultimate retro console, and since we all know the new system needs to stand out- and if it won’t be power specs, it needs to do something special.
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