Nintendo: Switch 2's Backwards Compatibility Feature Is The "Best Direction" For Consumers

I have over 800 switch games. This having backwards compatibility has guaranteed I’ll be buying it because I can move forward while still working on my backlog. Plus if it plays them enhanced in anyway, it’s a nice bonus. Very very smart move by Nintendo. Especially with the digital age where it can help encourage digital purchases knowing they aren’t “dead” after a console is finished.

Of course the real question is how certain games are optimized on the SW2. Will the extra power actually be put to use? Will they do the Valve thing where they update some games to be "Switch 2 Verified" or will they just resort to rereleasing certain games instead?

It's an industry standard this generation. The blowback from not including it would've been pretty massive. Also, Switch 1 games are still selling pretty well, so it'd be dumb for the latest platform not to support them.

It was basically essential. And to be honest, that’s why I loved Nintendo growing up as our GameCube library was playable on Wii, which was then playable on Wii U. And of course DS games were playable on 3DS (had a DSi so no GBA games for me)

Backwards compatibility is such a blessing for game consoles, and I’d even say it’s a necessity! It helps save money too so you don’t have to keep buying game ports on each console just to keep playing them, plus it helps game preservation too. It’s a very welcome feature, and I’m glad Nintendo is adopting it once more.

It’s a shame it won’t support all OG Switch games, but I’m not surprised about that given things like game licensing issues could affect a few titles. Hoping it supports a really big library and the games have a ton of enhancements on it!

Im worried about the Cloud ver still support on switch 2 which means there will have reason for them not porting it

Backward Compatibility is a MUST have feature for every video game machines.
I want to get Switch 2 for playing ACNH again and making my 2nd island with hopefully boosted fps to 60 fps.

@N00BiSH
They have no way around not needing enhanced Switch 1 ports to bulk up their release calendars so I’d be surprised if BC don’t play and look nearly identical, they could do what Sony’s done where they do both but I think Nintendo would prefer just doing one.

they want us to embrace the switch ecosystem has hard as we can, definitely a good call. who knows we might even get a switch 3 before they decide to have another weird and risky console again

Why don’t they start referring to us as ‘gamers’ or ‘players’ instead?

In 2025 saying “backwards compatibility” is pretty much the minimum they could do. It still leaves a lot of questions unanswered though.

Will the games be improved in any way?
Will our save files carry over?
If some games are dual releases can we put our Switch 1 cart in Switch 2 and download the Switch 2 version either for free or a small up charge?

Yes, bc is a great feature to have, but we still need to see it implemented.

I think I’m actually more curious about dual releases of games than I am bc. I think the Switch 2 is powerful enough that its big launch window games won’t also be released on Switch, but we don’t know.

@PinderSchloss I would rather be subjected to the worst of the live-action Disney remakes than be called a gamer

Let's be honest, if it wasn't backwards compatible they would have had an absolute riot on their hands.

It's the bare minimum that people expect from a new console these days.

They got away with it when the OG Switch launched because the Wii U had discs and the Switch had cartridges (also hardly any one owned a Wii U) but with the Switch 2 it would have been inexcusable if it wasn't.

The fact that its backwards compatibel, is already a day one purchase for me.

@N00BiSH More so than being referred to only as a consumer?

I want to know about controllers... we have heard it will have the Gameboy, gba, nes, snes and n64 switch online apps... but what about the controllers they released for those apps.. will they work?

@PinderSchloss the stigma around consumers is less damning than the stigma around gamers, who are at their core the absolute worst.

Can’t wait for it. April cant come soon enough

Not the biggest want going into new hardware but nice that I won’t have to buy NSMBU and SM3DW for a third time on the new Switch

They should refer to us as ‘Stick Masters’ or ‘Button Beasts’.

I don’t feel seen unless my mastery over the controller is explicitly acknowledged.

@CrankyBonesGaming Given they connect via Bluetooth, you'd assume they would.

I am glad that atleast it plays physical games. I know they said it was backwards compatible a few months back but nothing was said for physical but atleast it is confirmed.

Now I just hope the switch 2 has a performance boost. Now I hope games that didn't have a rock solid fps (like botw, totk and age of calamity). Now I would be over the moon if they got them to a solid 60 fps but getting a solid 30 fps would be the bare minimum for me if it has boost performance.

Once it was all but guaranteed to be a direct successor to the Switch, I was already pretty sure it'd be backwards compatible. I'll be much more interested to see if Switch 1 games are supported on their next console in 8 years or so, since they don't usually support more than one generation back. Also, even if we don't get proper updates or paid upgrades for existing games, I hope the extra power will at least let some choppier games finally run smoothly.

@Anti-Matter I’d rather we get a new Animal Crossing game… but I also can’t wait for better performance in ACNH (oh my word help I am worried about fps in a life sim I need therapy)

@CaleBoi25
Fps I meant was Frame Per Second.
It will looks better for ACNH running on 60 fps.

This really should be the standard going forward.

@Pastellioli I think the only games that won’t work at all are the Nintendo Labo games since those were built around the size of the original Switch. Assuming the regular Joy-Con are supported (which they should be) then I could see that being the solution to playing other games like Ring Fit Adventure.

I’m seriously hoping that original Switch games get some kind of performance boost at least. Don’t care about the graphics too much but I want to play the Arkham games and Dead by Daylight at a smooth framerate! (as well as some first party titles that struggle in specific areas)

Backwards compatibility will definitely provide longevity to any system. Switch 2 will definitely benefit from this and aid users in finally completing their backlogs. (Mine especially)

It’s a win that the backwards comp includes physicals.

Honestly, it would be ludicrous if the system called “Switch 2” wouldn’t be able to run Switch games.

The real question is if there will be a much needed performance boost for older games.

LOL why on earth did this "reporter" think he magically get more details out of Nintendo? You'd have a better chance of pinching the Crown Jewels.

@Pastellioli licensing issues could thwart buying pastgen games on NS2 [over time], but not playing anything you already bought.

@SearchingS "cloud versions" barely seem to be supported on Switch itself in practice (unless you take yours to your NASA workplace, perhaps), so they're pretty much the only eShop segment it makes sense to release anew.

Phew, my disappointment has subsided and I can finally look forward again to the Switch 2.

If Nintendo or a third party developer releases a Switch 1 game I want to play, I will most likely play it on the Switch 2, because I am sure, that it will feel more comfortable to do so. Of course it is very likely, that I will replay some of the Switch 1 classics too.

All in all, I am glad that this feature exists, even more so, if the Switch 2 gives Switch 1 games a little performance boost.

@Member_the_game Before the Wii U -> Switch generation change, everything was pretty much retro-compatible for Nintendo when they started with disks.

GameCube -> Wii -> Wii U

If the Wii U hadn't flopped, I'm pretty sure the following console would have still been retro-compatible, even if only with digital titles.

I'm hoping both ringfit and fitness boxing games carry over, though as soon as they said certain games where exempt I predicting the worst.
If they made a new ringfit however then that would be fine.

Yup, all hardware should be bc. Unless there's an obvious hurdle like Wii U -> Switch that went from discs to carts and a whole new architecture.

The only reason they did this is because there would be a MASSIVE backlash from the consumers. NINTENDO DOES NOT CARE ABOUT CONSUMERS, otherwise the virtual console would still be here. And remasters/ports would not be 60 euros. And they would not take down music from youtube. Ect. Ect.

I'm sceptical that OG Switch games will see a performance boost. Certainly first party games.

That said I wouldn't be surprised at all if we see faster loading times (this is apparently noticeable between the OG Switch and the OLED so on a more powerful console it's reasonable to speculate that load times will be further improved). On it's own this could make OG Switch games feel much nicer to play on the new console.

While Sony and Microsoft are trying to get rid of physical media, Nintendo fully embracing physical carts is what made me the happiest.

@Olmectron

Instead they managed to repackage them as "Deluxe" versions and sell them to us all over again lol

I wonder if Switch 2 carts are the same inside as the original Switch?

I've got my money saved up, so can't wait to preorder it 😍

If Switch 2 wasn’t BC, it would be DOA and quite possibly the most detrimental business decision ever made.
BC is the selling point for me and it seems for everyone else too.

Great news! I still got my release switch console lol Usually I buy spare consoles at the end of its lifespan but now I can fully focus on switch 2 alone

@N00BiSH Dude, your user name begins with 'Noob' 🤮 but you hate being referred to as a gamer. I think you are in the wrong hobby. I'm proud to say I've been a gamer now for the past 30 years, and will continue to be a massive gamer until the day I die. Not sure what stigma you are implying there is so enjoy being a consumer 😁

@PinderSchloss Gamers for life, it's what we live for 🤘

@Member_the_game While it's obvious they re-released the Wii U games because they are a company and must make money, the Wii U sold 13 million consoles. While the Switch already sold around 146 million consoles.

They didn't sell us "again", they re-released and sold games that a lot of people didn't actually play when they were released on the failed console not many bought.

Even if many of those 146 million consoles are double dips and everyone bought 2 Switch consoles, that's still 73 million vs only 13 million.

I, for one, have not bought any DX game that I had already played on Wii U. But I'm glad lots of people got to play Mario 3D World, Pokken and soon Xenoblade Chronicles X (among many other ports) for the first time.

@Olmectron

I feel like you've misunderstood my posts and assume I'm attacking Nintendo when in actual fact I was just making light of the situation.

I'm as guilty as anyone for lapping up the Deluxe versions, Mario Kart, Super Mario Bros U, 3D Mario World, DK Tropical Freeze....... I even double dipped on Lego City Undercover

@PinderSchloss YES! The word “consumer” is so reductive and insulting. I’m not “consuming” their products (aren’t they supposed to taste bitter anyway, lol). Player would be great, or customer.

@Member_the_game I don't care if you attack Nintendo, they aren't a family member.

I was just guessing what I believe is the reason for them to release DX versions (make more money because most Wii U games there didn't have a large user base to begin with in order to being successful in sales).

It's a pretty big caveat in there until we get full details but fingers crossed it is a small number of games that need a specific Switch 1 feature and not trouble getting certain games to run properly.

@Olmectron

I fully understand why they do it, some of those games were absolute masterpieces so it would be almost silly not to find a way to introduce them to a new audience whilst also making a load more cash at the same time.

Again though, I was simply making light of the situation that they managed to get me to buy the same games again 😂

Backwards compatibility is an absolute must.

@Member_the_game Okie dokie, have a nice day.

@Tipehtfomottob I don't care about negative connotations. We have to own it and help give it positive ones.

Backwards compatible is absolutely great, although this does mean the eshop is gonna be a mess again.
I hope they ll find something for that.

Thinking a bit further ahead. Nintendo have developed a great concept in the Switch and unless the gaming landscape shifts massively, we should get the Switch 3 sometime after 2030. If that turns out to be right, it will be interesting to see if the Switch 3 is backwards compatible with Switch 1 AND 2...

@N00BiSH You're a gamer if you play video games regularly. You're a gamer.

I mean, backward compatibility is convenient, great etc. But here's a catch: does it mean that on S2 we are getting day one the current eshop overloaded with shovelware?

Backwards compatibility is great and I expected it. However, I just want to see the games coming to it. That's the most important aspect of any console. Not how it looks, not the name. It's the games that matter most.

Nintendo won't call us players. That is Sony's slogan... "For the players."

I'm a gamer. Have been since 1991. Not sure why some in this thread dislike the term.

It's great that Switch 2 is backwards compatible for those who need it and it is great for Nintendo as they can continue to sell their Switch 1 games.
They might even bring back the select range once they no longer make Switch 1 consoles.

I simply have no time to replay Switch 1 games I've already completed though. Time to move on to the new exclusives...

They need to overhaul the eshop though as it already has so much on it, good and very bad.

@PinderSchloss mainly due to it sounding less professional, and professionalism is very important for a business, trust me, i took intro to buisness in high school.

It's exactly what I would expect in this day and age, and thank God Nintendo got on board with that.

I mean, this isn't a new thing for Nintendo. Their handhelds have (I think?) all had some form of backwards compatibility, and the Gamecube to Wii U era all had backwards compatibility with the past generation.

Either way, I think it's essential, but I don't think is Nintendo "getting with the times" so much as just doing their usual thing.

@Mana_Knight The "consumer" nonsense is likely an attempt to avoid classifying everyone as part of Gamergate 2. And the ridiculous virtue-signalling of some the commenters makes it evident that the "consumer" nonsense has its merits.

Now you can be a consumer and not a gamer even if you're a gamer and a consumer. Makes me want to put my eyes in the washing machine, but to each his own.

This is by far the way of the future. I am have playing steam games for like 20 years. Most of my library is still playable today, via my steamdeck. I only bought a ps5 because of the amount of games I carried over to it from previous generations, and have access to while using portal. I will be upgrading all of the switches in my house for the next 8 years of gaming for the family. And hopefully this continues…

I imagine that unless you have a Nintendo online account with cloud backup saves your switch system based save file will need to be moved manually onto the sd card and then inserted into the switch 2 and either left there or moved to the internal storage.
*this would probably apply to games which don’t allow cloud save files too.

They might do a pairing thing similar to 3DS transfer but would probably require you to back up prior.

"We have nothing more to announce on this topic."

But the internet does. 🤣

@Tipehtfomottob I CHOSE my title out of my own volition(and because I couldn't think of anything better at the time). I did not choose to be a gamer and you're just as much of a consumer as I if you've bought and enjoyed games for a such a long time.

@N00BiSH I don’t think they’d get away with rereleasing them at all. I know Switch was port city for Wii U games but that made sense…not so much here.

If they’re smart about it they’ll update a bunch of games for day one. Considering that the hardware is so similar to the original they need as much compelling software out of the gate as they can and being able to play games like BotW/TotK at higher resolutions/frame rates on day one would be a great reason to upgrade. It’d also allow them to market and sell more copies of old games (they could just re-release them with some Switch 2 branding if they wanted).

Hopefully such upgrades would be free but if they really have to charge for a fee for them I’m sure plenty would pay it.

@N00BiSH the Steam Deck Verified isn't the same thing as "backwards compatibility." That verifies Valve tested the Windows game and it runs through Proton and Steam Deck with little issues (not a 100% guarantee either).

It's going to be going from PS4 to the PS5, the games will work. They might get patches, but that will be up to the developers to decide if they want it to take advantage of the hardware; or Nintendo has something baked into it already and there isn't any work required.

@larryisaman I can see them getting getting away with rereleasing like, two-three titles(mainly games with significant DLC, like BotW or SSBU), but otherwise I'm in agreement. I don't think they'll pull a Last of Us 2 PS5 edition anytime soon...hopefully.

@progx True, they're not entirely the same. I'll give you that.

@N00BiSH To be fair to the TLoU 2 remaster, if you already own the PS4 version you can upgrade to the new version for £10. I’m hoping Nintendo don’t take that path and offer the upgrades for free but I guess it’s better than not doing them at all.

And yeah, I could see them putting out deluxe versions of stuff like SSBU with all the DLC and any graphical updates included, but I would hope they’d offer those visual improvements to those who’d already bought the original game on Switch. Would be an easier pill to swallow if they re-released a ton of Switch games but let you get access to those for cheap if you own them already.

@neuron123 They’re doing it because it just makes sense to. Every Nintendo handheld has been backwards compatible with its previous generation, why would that stop now?

@Nf157 I'm hopeful the Switch 1's Joy-Cons are compatible with the Switch 2's BC. Maybe that way those games can be playable on Switch 2.

@larryisaman I keep thinking an alternative to charging for individual game patches would be to bundle them into NSO. This way, the majority of Switch players can receive the updates for no extra charge, while simultaneously enhancing NSO's value proposition.

I’m kind of surprised by the amount of people that didn’t expect this…Nintendo has done backwards compatibility for every handheld since the Gameboy Color and every console where it was possible (except maybe the SNES). The only reason it was dropped for Wii U -> Switch was the change from disc to cartridge.

@Olmectron Considering the reason why the Wii U flopped was because they were using outdated coding architecture, it wouldn't have changed either way.

@Ulysses Ohhhhhh I can absolutely see them doing that!

@tobsesta99 Thanks for telling me! I have actually heard a few people talking about Labo possibly being unplayable, but I wonder what other games will be unplayable on there. I think people have been mentioning Ring Fit Adventure also likely being unplayable on there, but I expect a lot of first-party Nintendo-developed games to be playable on NS2. The only games I really do expect to possibly be unplayable are those with licensing issues and maybe software that use extra accessories (like the Labo as you mentioned).

@nhSnork yeah, I think that licensing will prevent some games from being playable and purchasable on Switch 2 (which is something that also affected the backwards compatibility system on there Xbox and why it only supports around half of the 360 game library and a small amount of OG Xbox games) but it won’t affect the playability of the games of course. I just wonder what specific titles will be excluded from the backwards compatibility system besides guesses like the Nintendo Labo and possibly Ring Fit Adventure.

I'm in the camp of assuming there will be no upgrades to prior games. It takes more effort than most people assume, and just having a stronger machine won't make it magically work. Especially if any of these particular games were designed and planned to cap at 30. Most of these games already made their profits, and I can't imagine touch ups to FPS in some of them is going to increase sales in a meaningful way.

Games getting enhanced is just not a standard either or been a normal part of any other BC process in most other systems. PS5 is the outlier in this regard I feel.

Nintendo is pretty good for backwards compatibility particularly with its portable hardware.

Wii played Gamecube and wii u played Wii too so definitely was expecting unless switch 2 turned out to be something completely different, I dunno like an Oculus

@Jappio I suspect you are right. Even for Ps5 upgrades aren't common

Seems like they are trying to avoid naming confusion this time around as well. Wii --> Wii U. Switch 2 with a big fat bold 2 in the logo will let people know which games can only be played on the new console. It's not exciting, but it's very clear.

If the clock speed increases naturally boost resolution/performance in games with dynamic resolution (Doom/Eternal etc), which would appear to make the most sense, upgrading to Switch 2 is a no brainer.

I don't need 60fps on handheld (I have my ps5 for that), it would be nice to get 720p though (and with gyro aiming, it would become my favourite way to play Doom).

Glad physical BC is confirmed, all my games are physical on Switch!

@ObsidianEleven frame rate boosts aren't going to happen to older games without patches, they could be embedded into the firmware though which would make more sense if Nintendo was looking to unlock frame rates for some of its first party stuff.

big selling point for me considering my switch is aging.

cant wait to get switch 2 but also well get more info on it in april 2nd on its specs and other features plus line up of games as well.

@Pastellioli I imagine the licensing won’t affect backwards compatibility since it seems like it’s going to be similar to the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles’ compatibility with PS4 and Xbox One respectively. AKA physical versions of delisted games will still work.

Hoping «Nintendo switch» will become 3,4 and 5 also. Hybrid is the way to go, and it would be a dream if they all got backwards compatibility.

Imo, region free is the best direction. But backwards compatibility is a close second.

@Jokerwolf frame rate and resolution boosts are already proven to happen when increasing clocks using overclocked switches.

The only way these won't happen, is if Nintendo makes a decision that the Switch 2 will underclock itself to Switch 1 clock values, when playing Switch 1 games.

Edit. For clarification, games reaching a stable 30, where previously they struggled. I'm not talking games suddenly going from 30 to 60.

Will the new switch be compatible with N64 carts too? Asking for a friend....

A lot of people are hoping that backwards compatibility on the Switch 2 means that they can play their Switch 1 games at 60fps instead of 30fps.

If this isn't the case then Nintendo will have made a huge mistake. Fingers crossed they get it right.

Backwards compatibility will render 100 million switch consoles useless with little sell on value, so bad move mr nintendo!

@N00BiSH I really don't see a difference if your main hobby is video games, tbh.

Glad they only had to announce it literally like three times before people realized it’s backwards compatible. unbelievable… 😆

I don't see why this is even a story. Nintendo made so many of their systems backwards compatible whenever it was possible.

The one that truly amazed me was GameCube discs being compatible with Wii. Those tiny discs shouldn't have worked!!!

Switch games with variable resolution should see better performance on Switch 2. Probably won’t need to scale down resolution as much on faster hardware.

Can never go wrong with backwards compatibility.

It also means we are stuck with the eShop.

Happy for backwards compatability, not so happy with this implication. They SERIOUSLY need to implement some improvements, like blocking certain publishers.

As long as traditional backwards compatibility is there, I’m happy. And by that I mean, putting the old cartridge in, and the game runs fine.

What I don’t want to see, are games that are capable of running on an original Switch, being locked on Switch2.

PS5 did that a lot, where the original MGS was exclusive to that system and you couldn’t buy it digitally on PS4…despite it being a remastered PS1 game.

@PtM don’t be rude.

...I don't wanna admit how many games I'm gonna have for my Switch 2 at launch... ^^;

Of course it's a good decision. Giving people the option to give consumers the option to bring their games over to a new console. That's always a good thing.

@CrankyBonesGaming I bet they’ll be backward compatible, but I wonder if there will be a way to charge the battery on the NES controllers. Surely there isn’t a way to physically attach them to the Switch 2. 🤔 In other words, will it be kinda a pain for people who never bought a Switch gen 1?

@Radioactivesuit buy the joy con charge grip and screw it open and take away the grip part so you only have the middle bar.

As I am going full digital on Switch 2 (and any new systems from here on out) I won’t really be using BC as I am already on 3.5 TB worth of games. So my plan is to treat the Switch 2 as if it is not BC and just focus on new games only for that system. I will wait for both a Zelda edition and for 2TB microsd cards to drop below 100 dollars. Gives me time to clean out my wishlist (which is still around 500 games between regions) and build a new gaming PC. (I am probably not getting a PS6/Xbox next as my focus is on retirement prep for the next decade.)

Of course this is all dependent on how the Nintendo account will be handled. As long as I can have a primary Switch and a primary Switch 2 I am fine.

@Joekun Nintendo is the seller. You are the buyer. It's an economic relationship. You absolutely are consuming their product. Defintion - Economics - a person or organization that uses a commodity or service.

You may not like being called a consumer, you may feel insulted by that (which makes no sense to me at all) but you can't change facts.

You are a consumer.

@teamdave2002 You can like the terminology or even not care about it, I can dislike it. No one is disputing facts. PinderSchloss gave an opinion on terminology and I supported it. You don't. That's fine. Language changes and evolves and I have opinions on how it does so.