Shuntaro Furukawa: Switch Successor Will Utilise The 'Nintendo Account' System

Awesome news, and hopefully all your downloads will carry over too, and it's just a case of re-downloading them.

As long as we don't have to start again (for the third time after transfers should have been a thing since Wii really) I imagine most will be happy.

If the Switch Successor is 100% BC with the original Switch hardware, I'm buying it, day 1.

they should really consider backward compatibility too especially if it ended up as home console

if they did they pretty much making the 115 million switch owners to feel obligated to buy the new machine as their new overengineered dock

then consider allowing switch to cloud/remote play the new console game. doesn't need to be perfect, just use it as bait to make people buy 2 console instead of only 1

And with that, backwards compatibility is all but confirmed.

It also wouldn't surprise me to see cross-generation games where playing the game on the successor will yield superior performance, kind of like how many GBC games remained backwards compatible with the GB (and to a lesser extent, DSi-enhanced cartridges).

I just hope that they avoid the convoluted PS4/PS5 situation where there are separate physical releases for both formats when, ideally, a single ROM should be able to detect and optimise the performance for both consoles (should developers be so inclined).

But I could be tempted to double-dip on cross-platform titles, especially if there are noteworthy differences between the two versions, and I really want to avoid that.

Best news of the week and upcoming month already!

Nintendo Switch 2 confirmed!!!!

Here’s to end of 2025- early 2026 … not earlier.

It's too bad this isn't the gen where I blew $5 on NES Pacman.

Aslong as its not like the awful account system on 3ds. Also Im hoping this new console is backwards compatible so out switch purchases carry over.

@hashkey ha, reminds me of all those early 90s news reports of outraged mothers having to buy Super Nintendo hardware to play new games - and then complaining they had to keep the NES around.

I really want for the next hardware to include backwards compatibility. Switch is probably where I spent the most in terms of games out of all the Nintendo system I owned and I don't want them to be wasted.

Hoping this means Nintendo Switch Online carries over too. Yea, it sucks, but it’s a lot better than them starting over virtual console AGAIN on the next system

It gets closer by the day!

@burgerkingsauce Same. I'm sick of starting over with NES games every single time we get a new system, it keeps them from working on some of the old-but-not-that-old systems like GC, DS, and Wii. Hopefully NSO transfers over so they can move on to some of those system and make those libraries accessible again.

If my eshop games dont smoothly migrate over, I wont be picking up the new system. It’s as simple as that.

This is good news. Play the game on the Nintendo Switch 2 again.

I too also have hopes this means there's going to be backwards compatibility, though you have to do a lot of reading between the lines to see this as a potential confirmation.

How does it work on PlayStation, do your PS4 digital purchases carry over to PS5?

@Ironcore I feel the same way. I've invested so much into Switch. If I have to start over again, I'll be really annoyed. I'll likely just go with a Series X and Gamepass.

@OorWullie
Yes your entire PS4 digital library, along with any playstation plus games you redeemed long in the past, are transferred over no problem.

I'll be happy if they really do transfer everything from the Switch over to the new system, from save files to games, including NSO stuff like the NES, SNES, N64 etc games. Considering past experiences with Nintendo I'm not counting on it 100%, but it does seem likely to happen.

I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch though.

I wouldn’t be surprised if all switch games are backwards compatible with the new system. I know this was already a safe bet, but this is a good indicator that will be the case.

@OorWullie PS4 purchases carryover to the PS5, there’s even a handful of digital PlayStation one and PSP games that are free to download if you had purchase them on the PS3 or PSP/vita store fronts back in the day.

About as tangible as official BC odds get for now. Game libraries are the unrivalled bulk of what an account is used to access, especially in the absence of a system-wide achievement system and with NSO numbers (aka retail online access) reportedly not covering the whole userbase.

@Bolt_Strike people still hope for GC on NSO? Let's face it, short of providing separate titles to download/stream a la PS+ Catalogue (which Nintendo might well dismiss as Virtual Console in all but name, but then again, modern stuff like Tetris 99 shows it's not impossible), that's never been likely to happen with any home console past N64. The file sizes to try and compile into a library app are just incomparable. Assuming Ninty figures out a nice streamlined way to handle the dual screens, I reckon NDS is the only platform Nintendo Online may still hypothetically see in the future. Imagine Spirit Tracks, Nintendogz or - dream big - even western debuts for Fire Emblem New Mystery and Soma Bringer...💓

I'm so glad an exec ACTUALLY has something important like this in mind. Nintendo would be shooting themselves if they don't at this point... I've bought the same games so many times since the Wii.

As long as backward compatibility is preserved for physical games. This is my biggest worry.

backward compatibility or not we are all buying the next switch..

The "next" Switch MUST have two things :

Retro-compatibility (e-shop and cartdriges) and at least 10times more computational power.

Otherwise its a disaster.

Somehow I expect problems with cartridge compatibility... unless they keep same format with more capacity, or add a reader like DS with GBA games back in the day. At this point and with my current backlog I cross fingers for BC.

Dear Nintendo, please take a page from Xbox. My Series X is amazing solely for its ability to purchase and play all generations of Xbox titles. I have and can easily play Jade Empire, Blue Dragon, Fallout 4, and Elden Ring…. All at a moments notice. And it’s all tied to my Xbox account, so I can quickly and easily play those same titles on the Series S in another room. This is how it should be for all platforms going forward.

I truly would love to see the next Nintendo system copy and improve upon the Switch. Retain portable, give us more power, storage and battery life. Give the dock the ability to amp the graphics for those that want 4k, much like Alienware Laptops and their Amp graphics pod.

But truly, even if we get just a little more power and storage, and everything else remains the same, the biggest boon we could receive is making it so current Switch library isn’t nullified on transition.

Backwards compatibility confirmed? Hope so but for now I'm not worry about a new console yet.

Xbox all xbox one downloads carried over and some backwards compatible games bought on 360 too.

Playstation ps4 games carried over to ps5. Some have an upgrade feature which can be free or paid depending on title. Some odd previously purchased ,ps2, psp and ps1 games providing they are on their classic catalogue which is very few at present.
Nothing for ps3 games. You can only stream them with paid membership

Wii to wii u had the system transfer than the vc had the discounted "upgrade"option.

Switches successor better have backwards compatibility at this point. Like wii u and switch were so different and Nintendo so behind on online features I accepted it but now there's no real excuse.

My ideal dream switch successor would have cart slots for switch and one for 3ds/ds with a decent way to handle dual screen issue but that ain't likely.

@Yosher
The UK government actually leaked that some of this was happening. In the context of gaming streaming services they confirmed the Nintendo Online service was available.
I'd almost guarantee that everything in your Online subscription is available on the next console.
Digital/ physical purchase compatibility is the biggest question mark.

He says that, but I'm fairly sure they won't be looking to allow carry-over of game purchases.

That would open way too many questions of compatibility, and would deny focus on early games utilizing any new input/output capabilities of the Switch successor.

I could be wrong though.
Which would be nice for a change.

@Sisilly_G It's not sadly. PS4 and PS3 use the same account system (PSN), but PS4 can't play PS3 games at all.
Plus, if they ditch the cartridge port, then people with physicall collections won't be able to play their games anyway if it is backwards compatible.

Nintendo Switch 2 must have power. I feel like this Nintendo Switch 2 is going be must better than Wii, Wii U and the Nintendo Switch. Everything will be better but with power I do not know if Nintendo Switch 2 will be very powerful. I hope it will.

They should have done that a long time ago, back from Wii to Wii U and Wii U to Switch.

I wonder if they'll add super futuristic features like achievements and being able to simply send a message to a friend?!

Nah it's Nintendough.. Maybe 2032 console will have such crazy groundbreaking ideas implemented.

Ayo? Will it play games too?

Nintendo can talk about a "smooth transition" but of they go next gen way too late like they always do then next gen will suffer

@Pod I love how people still say "for a change", implying that Switch wasn't Nintendo's first console to lack backward compatibility since Gamecube. And, incidentally, another one that adopted a starkly different storage medium.

@Hajilee no, after everyone clamoured for Netflix on Switch, that's what the successor will run almost exclusively. The account transfer is for Crunchyroll.

@nhSnork
Oh, I just mean that, for at change, it would be nice to be wrong. ^_^;;

@Pod right, obvious on second glance. My comprehension failure here.😅

@YoshiF2 i am betting on early/spring 2025

I don't think the next gen Nintendo console (I am not, nor is Nintendo, calling it Switch 2) is not going to have BC, why? It will have a different generation SoC, that is incompatible with Switch games

See this article: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/switchs-successor-faces-backwards-compatibility-challenge-developer-suggests/

All they really need to do is a nice new handheld console with a slot for Switch games. And a slot for DS/3DS games. And a slot for Gameboy/GBA games. And NES games. And SNES games.
Shove all that into a little handheld, and we'll be sorted.
Oh yeah, and a combo drive for the Wii/U/Cube games.
It's easy, really!
Get on it, Ninty!!

Although backwards compatibility is never a system seller it is a nice addition to a new system:

1) it gives you a whole library of games to play on your new system, sometimes with a boost to performance. Wii U made Wii games look better through hdmi and Xbox 360 games look superb through my Series X.

2) it means you don’t have to have multiple systems set up (which for a nerd like me is no problem but most people will probably box up or sell their older system).

Im guessing many people will have a large digital library on their switches, so carrying them forward will help people feel they’ve kept their libraries. Hopefully (like the DS to 3DS) the carts will work too.

Been burned before. Believe it when it happens.

This is potentially good news of course but the key for the next console has to be backward compatibility. If it’s not, then tens of millions are going to be shafted and Nintendo doesn’t have the best record when it comes to looking after its loyal fanbase.
In regard to the next console itself, after the recent Direct, I can’t now see the next gen console arriving until holiday 2026 and by then, the Sony and Xbox next gen efforts will be only 2 years away.

Don't expect a 'HUGE' leap forward in tech with this new system. Maybe PS4 level is achievable but battery life needs to be on par with the current switch. 1080p OLED portable screen with 500gb internal memory would be ideal

The fact they're even directly addressing a 'next generation machine' in public makes me think they're gearing up for a reveal soon.

Switch 2 should be able to play a game like Elden Ring at max graphic settings at 60fps easily…. I hope.

Wow, Nintendo showing their hand just a little bit! This little scrap of info is promising. No confirmation of BC, per se, but if your digital purchases, save data, and NSO live on somehow, that is good news.
Here’s hoping for full BC with Switch digital and physical software!

@IndoorEnthusiast @ATaco Thanks. That's given me some confidence that Nintendo will do the same. Not a lot because it's Nintendo but some.

They tried this with the Wii to Wii U transition. Then made you pay a couple bucks per title to transition your downloads over to Wii U. This isn't new.

Whelp, that means nothing.

In other news, on your next Xbox system, you can use your same Gamertag.

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Now, if we get up strong majority of all the titles that have already been released available at launch of the next Nintendo console, I'll be a happy guy. And I am specifically talking about all the emulated games from the Nintendo Switch Online service.

@ClaytThaGreat exactly. The assumption is being made that Furukawa is talking about NSO accounts, but he could very easily mean our Nintendo accounts, period. My Nintendo account on Switch is technically the one I made for Wii U, but that didn’t impact what I have access to on Switch at all.

Best case, though, he IS referring to NSO accounts (which I guess means the next console would have Switch in the name. Switch U? New Switch?). If this is the case, it alleviates the lack of virtual console even more, since we’d theoretically have the current NSO library and it would only keep growing.

I'd be reluctant to buy anymore digital games if they decided to drop our account and kill the eShop 2 years after the Switch successor's launch

As long as my downloads carry over I'm happy. This nonsense of losing all your old downloads whenever a new console is released needs to end. Backward comparability with the Switch carts I'd understand if it wasn't present. I suppose that should depend on what the media storage solution is that they're using.

Actually, this is not saying much about Switch 2 (only that it is in later stages of development) or backwards compatibility. This is important for shareholders because it means less additional costs because of change of network infrastructure.

I think and hope there will be backwards compatibility. Would be really nice.

It's all a guess, but I'm thinking Switch 2 could be sometime in 2024 or else 2025 now. I've been thinking this could be the case for a while now.

But Nintendo is trying to be unpredictable so it is only a guess.

This Q&A might be a hint though, maybe.

Please understand, whilst we will utilise existing accounts, each one will need to be manually transferred over to the 'New Nintendo Account'. This process will require the use of the Nintendo Switch Online Application, which you will firstly have to upgrade / transfer over to the 'New Nintendo Online Application'. Don't worry though, as this process will feature adorable little Pikmin carrying across your data and will make your old console a paperweight, just like the Wii to Wii U process. Please note, all cloud saves will not be compatible because we have no idea how to offer this service until 2 years after launch, but you will be entitled to a free copy* of Balloon Fight (*free copy will be distributed as part of the 'New Nintendo Online Subscription' which is not to be confused with the old Nintendo Online Subscription)

@sanderev And here's a comment I found on that article, explaining why that's simply not true.

This article is full of a lot of misunderstanding of how the switch is made and works... First off they are using a Nvidia tegra x1 soc the only thing that locks them into is an arm processor and Nvidia GPU.

Any newer Nvidia soc would likely work they would even have performance boosts and power savings vs running games programed to take advantage of newer hardware. Likely the new soc would run at lower clocks when running switch titles.

Nintendo uses a very highly custom operating system loosely based on bsd and Linux it was done in house so at best for the switch 2 they will need to code a subsystem. More or less it will be similar to running windows XP or 7 on cutting edge hardware. Drivers and patches would be all that is needed. Going from the GameCube/Wii/wiiu is a fully different animal a ppc CPU and ATI GPU to an arm CPU and Nvidia GPU (switch). As long as the switch 2 uses arm and Nvidia backwards compatibility is ezmode.

It is part of the ezmode Microsoft and Sony signed up for when they moved the ps4 and Xbox one to a nearly off the shelf 64 bit apu from amd. It is why ps4 games play natively on ps5.

@Krysus

"They tried this with the Wii to Wii U transition. Then made you pay a couple bucks per title to transition your downloads over to Wii U. This isn't new."

(suggestion: a World Wide Web address for information explaining the "pay" mentioned in this message)

I think the whole reason they went from Virtual Console to NSO was to preempt criticisms about making people buy the same classic games with every console. So I would expect that to move on in some form. I see this confirming that and confirming the sharing of eshop funds a la Wii U, 3DS, and Switch, not necessarily backwards compatibility.

Hope NSO features transition smoothly. Things like sharing funds across systems was great. Granted it would be just switch to successor at this point but still. Especially if the system emulation can go over with no or few tweaks. A nso sub on the new system would start with a classic library (and one that at least for now doesn’t rotate out) which makes it attractive for new owners.

@Roibeard64 said: "Switches successor better have backwards compatibility at this point. Like wii u and switch were so different and Nintendo so behind on online features I accepted it but now there's no real excuse."

OK. So I assume you already know the hardware specs of Switch 2?

Not too surprising but great to hear nonetheless. Pretty much confirms backwards compatibility as digital Switch games are tied to your Nintendo account

@Doomcrow If you want a stove with 10 minutes of battery life instead of a handheld console, sure.

@drewber2635 No it doesn't. It only confirms that the next gen will be using the same Nintendo account system as the Switch. It does not say anything about running the same software.

@ArcticEcho Yeah, that doesn't really work for RISC based CPUs (like ARM), since they have a limited instruction set. It's absolutely possible (and probable) that the newer version doesn't have the same instruction set as the older one. Which would make it nearly impossible to run Switch games, unless they actually add all Switch instructions to it as well. Which kind of defeats the idea of RISC, making it less efficient (power hungry).

For example M1/M2 chips (Apple) have special instructions to translate x86 code, so older apps would still work.

BC works on PS4/5 and XBOX ONE and XBOX Series, is because all of them are x86/64 consoles. Meaning they have the full x86/64 instruction set. Making it quite easy to support older games on new hardware.
(XBOX 360 or older and PS3 or older games are emulated)

Bottom line, it's not a given that the next gen will support Switch games. I think it's rather unlikely actually. I gave it a 30% possibility. And they MIGHT actually just make a patch for 100-200 of the most important games and make it work as well .

@OorWullie

Yepp. I can redownload and play games on my PS5 that I bought way back in 2014 on my PS4.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for Nintendo’s next thing and I’ll probably be a day 1 adopter. I’ve been following rumors for what seems like years as they ebb and flow. This one seems most concrete as something new and exciting is nearing its big reveal. But I can’t help but feel this is the start of what Apple has done with their own ecosystem. A new device every two years or so for those who want the latest processor and screen. And for those who don’t, a planned obsolescence of maybe 4-6 years before the hardware becomes unusable with the newest software. It’s great and it’s not. Nintendo generations are such pillars of time. Yes there have been clues that this is the convergent point: Gameboy games supported on Gameboy Color, DS games on 3DS, Wii games on Wii U, etc. I suppose accepting a departure from this convention is critical for Nintendo’s continued success. I’m all for it. But my “iPhone” has been the same since the iPhone 3GS- it’s just changed vessels over the years: 5, 5s, SE, 13 mini. It beats the alternative where Nintendo leaves digital content isolated and abandoned on dead hardware. Not complaining as I have quite an extensive digital library. Just feels like a junction point to where Nintendo is overlapping with the industry more than ever before. Like “Blue Ocean” is a game we all bought in the eShop.

Nintendo will make its own "STEAM-like" store/accounts for the last new & few, if not last console.

This is the future I believe and possibly a nearing END of them having to make NEW consoles every time.

Basically reconfirmed Nintendo's plans from late 2021.

@westman98 The final console lol

@Vivianeat Nintendo is a combination of hardware and software. I don't think they will ever stop making hardware. (Unless they really have no choice)

I don't expect every single game I own to be bc - I almost don't want them to be. If they are then I expect the hardware won't be as robust as I hope it is. Something along the lines that Microsoft is doing would probably be okay with me. As many games as possible of course.

This seems like a statement in the right direction. I am growing quite weary of buying the same games every few years. Gamer's near constant clamor for re-buying old games isn't helping.

@sanderev Who knows, they know ppl are tired of buying legacy content and us playing illegally. I can see them make a new console and extend it's life by updating the value added online services.

@burgerkingsauce this is the comment I was looking for. As much as I'd love my purchases to carry over, I'd love it even more if the NSO consoles were directly ported over. I'm really tired of Nintendo acting like letting me play Super Mario Bros on a new console is something to be excited about.

That's all well and good, but unless it includes backwards-compatibility it won't mean much, just the same frustrating routine of Nintendo regurgitating yet another generation of ports they'll require consumers to pay all over again for.

@sanderev well still, I highly doubt they wouldn't implement backwards compatibility, especially since digital sales have been so high this gen. So I would bet we still get it

@EVIL-C If they were feeling unusually generous they could even let you download games on the new console if the platinum points from the Switch cartridge had originally been claimed to your account.

That seems a stretch for Nintendo though.

With the depth of the Switch library now I think of the Library as one of the core assets of the Switch now. There's just so many games, from old to new across so many generations... all tied to a digital store. This library of games is as important as app stores on iOS or Android.

Nintendo's console's have been iffy with backwards compatibility. Though pretty good from the Gamecube up until the Switch. Nintendo's handhelds have always had backwards compatibility. Gameboy color obviously was BC. But Advance, DS and 3DS all kept support for the previous. Nintendo understands its importance...especially in a handheld. It's one thing to put another box under the TV to play new games, but carrying around two handhelds with separate libraries.

With my Switch library, no backwards compatibility is a deal breaker... and considering a good chunk of games I play are 2D indie, puzzle or retro games... it'd be very easy to look at whatever they make in the future and sa the Switch is good enough.

Backwards compatibility would make the system relatively more costly as they'd have to include the old 2015-2018 chip system with the newer one. They would also have to include Switch 1 cartridge slots unless they use cartridges again. I'd still get it though.

Oh, and yeah, they're talking about Switch successor for the first time in a kinda official capacity!

I think this finally confirms backwards compatibility.

It absolutely needs to carry over digital purchases, the NES etc apps, and be backwards compatible with Switch games. If they don't do this, they'll be dead in the water. Too many players have amassed too great a library to just leave it behind and be fine with that. Nintendo would be shooting themselves in the foot not to carry it all over.
Plus, being backwards compatible can be a solid gap-filling move during the inevitable release period when new console games are a bit thin on the ground.
However, as no-brainer as this move seems to pretty much everyone else, this is Nintendo we're talking about here.

@Professor_Plumber As long as they're in the business there will always be a new system. It's the same for any business that makes anything.

I hope there will be some "stability improvements."

Yeah, they really need to embrace backward compatibility and cross-generational library migration by now. There's apparently well over 4,000 titles on the eShop library now; are you telling me that there's going to be a Switch Successor-optimised version of every third party indie title on there?

but if it is backwards compatible how we will get those full price glorious remasters and ports of the previous games on previous systems.......

Sounds like a 99% confirmation that eshop/account services are transferring to the new system. Hopefully physical cartridges will follow. Nintendo Switch 2, baby! Fingers crossed!

if the system was not bc will you be left behind and not buy the new switch?

that is good to know, but whatever the Switch's successor ends up being, Backwards compatibility is a must.

@OorWullie
Yes, the PlayStation 5 is now the best way to play Playstation 4 games. I'm going to be optimistic that Nintendo will at least do the bare minimum now that an account system is finally in place.

Backwards compatability is mandatory going forward. We can't have another Wii U to Switch situation.

Just speculating, but the next system is going to be bigger and more powerful.
It's just like the switch, but it's not backwards compatible. Expect all popular Nintendo titles, with amazing graphics, but more expensive and the same controls you have come to expect.

So in other words my banned account will still be banned 😝

As long as backwards compatibility is a thing and downloads can be linked to a Nintendo account (and thus transferred), I'll be a satisfied gamer.

If it doesn't have a backwards compatible cartridge slot, I'll be sitting it out at least a few years.

I’m really hoping that this means that you can do pretty much everything you could on the old Switch on the new console.

@sikthvash That was brilliant, and likely not a million miles away from what'll actually be the case.

@Patendo well, Nintendo could keep selling the ones they've already done, and they still have many games that haven't been remastered.

What he's saying is extremely vague. Maybe as an attempt to just keep the shareholders at bay for now. But yes, you would have thought that our Nintendo accounts (he doesn't mention the NSO accounts) would be carried over, like they have done previously, at the very least.

Lord I hope they let us bring our libraries. Otherwise my monumental backlog will transition into an inarguable waste of money.

Can you imagine, having access to 290 million e-mail accounts when you launch a new console?

What I've wanted for a while is the ability to convert a physical purchase into a digital one. That is to say, to install the physical game onto my Switch in such a way that it acts like a digital eShop purchase.

If they added that, then Nintendo could simply assimilate all physical purchases into the eShop and transfer them digitally to the next system, with or without the same cartridge port.

@arekdougy “ I've bought the same games so many times since the Wii.” I wouldn’t let them know that less we lose our backwards compatibly for sure. Hahaha

They had better allow our existing libraries of digital games to carry over, otherwise I'm out. In this day and age there is no excuse not to.

@nhSnork So maybe DON'T try and compile it into one app and come up with another way? Or better yet, go the Game Pass route and let us OWN the games for an extra fee? They'll figure something out, but the larger issue here is that you've got an entire console of games that has been largely inaccessible since said console stopped being supported.

Yeah sure! You get to keep your account but will have to buy all your games again

Yeah, I don't know that this really means much other than you won't have to create a new Nintendo username and password, sadly I think the "Nintendo Account" is a separate thing from the "Nintendo Switch Account" as far as Nintendo is concerned, and your game purchases are still tied to a Switch console and most likely won't carry over to the next generation.

Nice to know we don't have to worry about new accounts.

Say what you will about the age of the Nintendo Switch, it works. New tech in the Sony and Microsoft consoles (and even PC) is always buggy, glitchy, crashy, etc. I have not once any issues with my Nintendo console. No red ring of death or data breach *****.

I buy a new console for the new games so this hardly concerns me. I'll just keep playing switch games on switch and other games that they don't offer by other means. what really annoys me is the storage space and the fact I can't even pop in a cartridge that I bought w out internet if it's in the cloud. I don't have great internet so this is a huge issue. also the joycon drift..

HALLELUJAH!!!

Let's see atheists try and explain their way out of this one.

@arabiansanchez I agree, that would seem like a stretch. Also, a few of the games I have I didn't claim the platinum points, due to them being either used games, expired new games, or from a different region. 🤦‍♂️

Nintendo really prioritizes and encourages people to buy digital nowadays, what with earning more gold coins, and no fear of a games' coins expiring after 12 months after release. Its such a BS reward system.

The bigger question is my DSiWare carried forward onto the 3DS, Wiiware carried forward to the WiiU but then none carried forward to the Switch. So does this mean on the “Switch 3” that we will have to start over again?

I hate to break it to all these people all this proves is the digital purchases may move over. it doesn't mean Physical games will. they may ditch Physical media this time owing to the way you can not trust that people will get there grubby little mits on them prior to launch. We shall see i do not really care either way i will still buy it, i am looking to play new games not old ones.

@ATaco the way it should be.

@EVIL-C To be fair they don't have to give or reward you with anything.

@Jam78 To be fair? It's widely known they have a system which gives gold and platinum points for various activities. My point is valid that digital buyers receive some advantage over physical buyers with regard to coins. What an incredibly asinine response. 🤦‍♂️

@EVIL-C Of course if you buy the preferred way you will get more of a perk much like perks you get for any kind of shopping. I don't think you should get points for a second hand game if they have been claimed. I have had a second hand game give me the points.they did give points for Advanced wars re boot due to that expired. but that was more of an exception i don't think they have make them available forever. I remember the free digital copies of films you got with dvds and Blu rays would also expire.

It should already be using the system since you could have tied your 3ds an wiiu to your switch account to use the funds on it. Why not have software like vc carry over too?

@EVIL-C Yeah that's my main concern too as I have more physical games than digital games. Maybe they could do something similar to the DS Lite where it had a cartridge slot at the bottom for GB Advance games.

If digital library of switch is not supported by next generations, switch will be my very last Nintendo game console. Period.

It would be complete corporate suicide if Nintendo's next console isn't fully backwards compatible with the current Switch.

They are slowly finally getting where they need to be with Nintendo Online, porting older games to Switch (Deluxe editions, osv).... it would be completely moronic and complete waste of money/time invested to get to this point and then throw it all away with launching a new console.

They could get away with it with previous consoles... different times and Microsoft and Sony were doing the same at that time.
But right now, when XBox Series X is fully compatible with nearly the entire XBOX catalog (including XB360 and OG XBOX) and Sony pretty much doing the same now with PS5, with backwards compatibility with nearly all PS4 games and older PS games.
Then Nintendo cannot ignore this current trend and launch a new console with no backwards compatibility. This would generate a huge backlash they might not recover from.
I for one will not be buying the new console if that happens.

Is backward compability really necessary? I don't mind using the Switch to play Switch games and use the next console to play new games. Hope that Nintendo won't need to make compromises just to insure that the new system ist backwards compatible.

It's 2023. Backwards compatibility should come standard on all systems from now on.

All this says is that you can probably use the same account on the new console as on the Switch.
Nothing more, nothing less.

@NintendoPete Backwards compatibility shouldn't hold back any next gen console these days.

It works perfectly fine for XBox Series X/S and PS5 today.

The Switch is the perfect console for Nintendo. It has Docked mode to play on TV and you can pick it up and play on the GO hand held!

They can iterate on this for the next gen console, to make this system better with more powerful next-gen hardware and/or a beefier dock for 4K gaming possibility on TV.
The Joy-con's are great too, but need to be improved to eliminate the drift issues and ergonomics. The solution for this is already out there.

They don't need to reinvent the wheel every time with each new console. In the end it's a device to play games on. That's it.
Nintendo has proven that a hybrid console like the Switch is the future and what people want. That's why it has become so popular.
So a Switch Gen 2 makes perfectly sense. Using the same account system, same OS with full backwards compatibility and they will have a winner on their hands.

@Jam78 That's completely fair for a used game, but having brand new, sealed, unused games expire after 12 months and unable to earn gold coins, yet buying digital still grants them, is absolutely ridiculous.

as long as there is backwards compatibility and a switch cartridge slot, they can do whatever they want. the insane hopeful scenario is that it is still compatible with the dock and has the power between ps4-ps4pro graphics.

@PJ301178 I would love and definitely hope they include that, although it will increase the cost of the system a little bit. 🤔 However it might be worth the price if Nintendo believes people will still pick up the myriad of switch games that are already available. BWC adds a lot of value.

as long as they don't pull off a WiiDay or something. it is going to be fine

they should use the account system to prioritize selling their next system to actual customers and not scalpers.

switch 2 is backwards compatible = day one purchase.

switch 2 wont play my switch games = eh! wait and see.

surely nintendo can see how the difference affects their bottom line. of you want switch 2 to be as successful as switch, make it backwards compatible. people arent as hot to leave their switch behind as they were their wii/wii U.

@Not_Soos

"Let's see atheists try and explain their way out of this one."

LOL i dont get it but i THINK its a joke 😂 i laughed anyway ✌️

honestly I'm not sure what id want from Nintendo. I really do hope that they have backwards compatibility but here's my question... how do you top the switch? will they go back to handheld or console again? if console, how do they make their old customers want to buy it. if handheld, will it be basically the same thing just better graphics or will it bring something brand new to the table?

@Mario500
I imagine they are talking about the virtual console.
since the system was separated into wii and wiiu mode if you wanted to play a VC game using the wiiu mode you had to re-buy it from the wiiu eshop at a reduced price (if it was available on wiiu eshop)

@-wc- It was, haha. The idea is that Nintendo not doing something weird and gimmicky and out of left field for once and just doing the sensible thing by sticking with a formula that works is proof that miracles do happen, lol.