The Switch 2 is on its way. While its official name remains uncertain, Nintendo is preparing to unveil a new console, and a crucial detail about the system has just surfaced: It will be backward compatible, meaning it will support Nintendo Switch games. In this article, we're compiling all the known and unknown aspects of Switch 2's backward compatibility.

During Nintendo's earnings presentation in early November 2024, President Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed the news, stating, 'Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.' The rumor of Switch 2 being able to play Switch 1 games was substantiated by Furukawa during the earnings briefing. Unlike the Switch, which was not compatible with Wii U games, the Switch 2 will support existing software.

Nintendo's announcement about backward compatibility for Switch 2 was sparse on details. The specifics of how it will function remain unclear. Below are some key questions yet to be answered.

One uncertainty is whether backward compatibility is limited to digital games or if the Switch 2 will also support physical Switch cartridges. Since the Switch 2 has not been announced yet, the format for physical media, if any, remains unknown.

We also don't know if the backward compatibility will be comprehensive or limited, but this should become clearer over time. Furukawa mentioned that more information will be provided 'at a later date.' It's worth noting that not all games were universally supported within the Switch 1 ecosystem. For instance, the Switch Lite did not support certain Switch games.

The Switch 2 is anticipated to be more powerful than the original Switch, which launched in 2017 and has sold over 146 million units to date. However, whether the Switch 2 will enhance the performance of original Switch games is still unknown. When systems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S offer backward compatibility, older games often look and perform better on the newer consoles with improved resolutions and frame rates. This is something Nintendo fans might hope for with the Switch 2.

We will update this article as more information becomes available. The Switch 2, or whatever it ends up being called, has not been announced yet, but Nintendo's stock price surged following the announcement of backward compatibility.

Analyst Dr. Serkan Toto suggested that investors might view the backward compatibility announcement as a sign that the Switch 2 is a 'continuation' rather than a 'risky experiment,' which could have contributed to the share price increase. The idea is that backward compatibility could encourage purchases because users know their games will transition with them.

Nintendo also stated that those who buy a Switch 2 'will be able to choose their next purchase from a broad selection of titles released for Nintendo Switch.' This implies that the Switch 2's game store will include original Switch games.

Additionally, Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 will support Nintendo Switch Online and existing Nintendo Accounts. Furukawa emphasized the importance of leveraging Nintendo Account to maintain the relationship with over 100 million annual playing users on the Switch.

In the past, new console generations often meant starting over with new games. However, this is changing for Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. The Xbox Series X|S supports Xbox One games (and some Xbox 360 and original Xbox games), while the PS5 supports PS4 titles, along with PS3 and PS2 games via streaming for select titles. This shift is driven by the video game industry's move towards digital, where many digital games purchased for one platform carry over to the next. Now, Nintendo, with its significant increase in digital game sales, is joining this trend with the Switch 2.

That's all we know for now, but with the Switch 2 expected to be announced by the end of March 2025, more details should emerge in due course. Stay tuned to GameSpot for the latest updates.

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