The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, but many will be wondering whether they can straight up replace their trusty old Switch console with the successor, or whether they'll need to hold onto the first hybrid console to play their old games.
In this guide, we'll be covering the Nintendo Switch 2's backwards compatibility, with full lists of all Switch games with issues on Switch 2 as things currently stand. We'll also look at whether Nintendo Switch Online is available on the system, and how to play older games on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility - Can it play Switch 1 games?
Yes, it can, but not all of them! Barring some exceptions, you'll be able to play both physical and digital Switch 1 games on the new console.
You can check which games are compatible on Switch 2 by using Nintendo's own Software Compatibility website, which went live on 10th November 2025.
Not only that, the Switch 2 are able to take and read Switch 1 cartridges, but you'll also be able to transfer your digital library of games over from your old Switch. Our guide on How To Move All Games, Saves, Profiles From Switch 1 will prep you for launch day save transferring.
How to use the Nintendo Backwards Compatibility Website
The website is extremely easy to use: Just type the name of the game you want to check into the search bar, and then selecting your game.
Depending on whether your game is compatible or not, you'll get one of four answers:
- Supported – Game behavior is consistent with Nintendo Switch. - Means the game should work perfectly on Switch 2
- Supported – Game behavior may vary from Nintendo Switch. - Works almost as-intended, with a few issues (noted below)
- Unsupported – Problems with game progression have been found. - The game won't work properly on Switch 2; you may be able to play it but will run into issues
- Incompatible. - Does not work on Nintendo Switch 2
Switch 1 Games with Issues on Switch 2
Prior to launching its backwards compatibility website, Nintendo kept a list of games that had progression or start-up issues on Switch 2.
Some of the games listed on here are still reporting issues, so we've got a list of games below that are still experiencing problems. Note that this list is not final, and you should definitely check that compatibility website if the game you want to play isn't listed below and you're concerned.
Switch 1 games with progression issues on Switch 2
Here we have a list of games that Nintendo reports have start-up issues, meaning the games aren't currently booting up on the Switch 2 or issues where you cannot progress the game.
- 3 out of 10: Season One
- A Long Way Down
- Aeterna Noctis
- Aidan in Danger
- Bloodshore
- Boot Hill Heroes
- Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition
- Botany Manor
- Chicken Madness
- Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
- Dark Nights with Poe and Munro
- Dreamwalker
- Dust: An Elysian Tail
- Escape from Chernobyl
- fig.
- Forgotten Memories
- Gang Beasts
- Happy Hotel
- House Builder
- In My Shadow
- Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
- KILL la KILL - IF
- Laboratory Rat Escape Simulator Pro
- Layer Section™ & Galactic Attack™ S Tribute
- Manticore - Galaxy on Fire
- Mega Mall Story 2
- Megaton Rainfall
- Nascar Rivals
- Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
- Ninja Five-O
- OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes
- Otto
- Overdriven Reloaded: Special Edition
- Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
- Quell Zen
- Raiden III X Mikado Maniax
- Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix
- Retro Classix 2in1 pack: Bad Dudes & Two Crude Dudes
- RICO
- Skies Above
- smileBASIC4
- Soul Dog TD
- South of the Circle
- South Park: The Fractured but Whole
- Star Wars: Republic Commando
- Strania -The Stella Machina- EX
- Super Mega Baseball 4
- The Wild Case
- This War of Mine: Complete Edition
- Tiny Lands
- Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded
- Touhou Gouyoku Ibun ～ Sunken Fossil World
- Trove
- Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop
- Warface: Clutch
- What the Dub?!
- Where the Bees Make Honey
- Wildfire
- YouTube
- ZikSquare
Switch 1 games with minor issues on Switch 2
There's a small handful of Switch 1 that work on Switch 2 but have very minor issues that range from graphical errors to sound issues.
Below is a list of those games that have minor issues when played on Switch 2. Note that none of these are progression-based.
- Dadish - Grid lines may appear on parts of the screen
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning - Users may experience graphics problems in some areas
- Mugen Souls - Obtained items may not appear correctly in some situations
- Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection - When playing against a Nintendo Switch 2 user online, texture problems may appear on the Nintendo Switch user's player character
- Subway Simulator 2025 - City Train - Animations might not play in some parts of the game
- Transistor - The game may stop functioning correctly if the console is inserted or removed from the dock during some parts of the game
Switch 1 games that can't be played on Switch 2
Nintendo only lists one game that "cannot be played" on Nintendo Switch 2:
However, the wording is a little unclear - "The Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be inserted into the Toy-Con VR Goggles accessory, so this game cannot be played."
Essentially, it seems like the only issue is that the console doesn't fit into the Toy-Con VR Goggles and not that the software is incompatible. Really, it's more likely that games with VR modes on the Switch 1 simply won't be playable on Switch 2. We'll obviously update this guide when we know more.
A handful of apps will also be incompatible with the Switch 2, which we've listed below:
- Niconico
- ABEMA
- Hulu
- Crunchyroll
- InkyPen
Switch 1 games that can't be played with Joy-Con 2
Along with compatibility issues, there are also some Switch 1 games that will work on Switch 2, but only with the Joy-Con from the Switch 1.
The list is relatively short, and almost all of them require the original Joy-Con IR sensors:
| Switch 1 Game | Reason you need Switch 1 Joy-Con |
|---|---|
| 1-2-Switch | Some minigames require IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
| Everybody 1-2-Switch! | Force feedback vibrations are reduced in Joy-Con 2, making joy-Con Hide & Seek harder |
| Game Builder Garage | Free Programming mode requires IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit | Joy-Con 2 do not fit in any of the Toy Con accessories. RC Car Toy-Con antenna cannot be attached to Switch 2 console |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit | Joy-Con 2 do not fit in Toy-Con Robot accessory |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit | Switch 2 doesn't fit in screen stand but Joy-Con 1 work with accessories, so the experience will be different |
| Nintendo Switch Sports | The Joy-Con 2 does not fit in the leg strap |
| Ring Fit Adventure | The Joy-Con 2 does not fit in the Ring-Con |
| WarioWare: Move It! | Some microgames require the IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility FAQs
Need to know more about backwards compatibility, including how to play games not available on the system? Here are some frequently asked questions on the matter.
So, do all other Switch 1 games work on Switch 2?
Yep! As long as your game isn't listed above, it should run on the Switch 2, no problems.
Over on the official Nintendo Switch 2 website, you'll see a rather fetching graphic with box art for multiple Switch games that are (likely) playable on the successor. These are all big first-party titles, so there's no threat that you won't be able to play Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Splatoon 3, or Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Of course, some Switch 1 games are getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition or a free performance upgrade for the new console. If you're curious about those titles, then have a look at our complete guide on Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games & Free Performance Updates.