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, whether Nintendo Switch Online is available on the system, and how to play older games on the Switch 2.
So, can the Switch 2 play Nintendo Switch games?
Yes, it can! You’ll be able to play both physical and digital Switch 1 games on the new console. That’s a relief, right? No one wants to lose their 600 hours of gameplay in Breath of the Wild.
Except not all Switch 1 games will be compatible with the new console. At the end of the debut trailer for the new console, official information stated that “Certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2”.
All Confirmed Nintendo Switch Backwards Compatible games
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.
We’ve listed all of those games below, and we’ll add to it as more Switch games are confirmed.
| Switch Games Compatible with Switch 2 |
|---|
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons |
| Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns HD |
| Fire Emblem Engage |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |
| The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom |
| Luigi’s Mansion 3 |
| Mario & Luigi Brothership |
| Mario Strikers: Battle League |
| Metroid Prime Remastered |
| Nintendo Switch Sports |
| Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door |
| Pikmin 4 |
| Pokémon Scarlet & Violet |
| Princess Peach: Showtime! |
| Splatoon 3 |
| Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder |
| Super Mario Odyssey |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |
| WarioWare: Move It! |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 3 |
Which games won’t be compatible with Switch 2?
Nintendo says that more details will be made available on its website “at a later date”, so we can’t be 100% certain which original Switch games won’t be compatible with the new console at the time of writing. However, we can make some educated guesses.
Given the universal form factor of the Switch cartridges and past experience with Switch Lite and Switch OLED, it seems safe to assume that every original game will at least run on Switch 2, as in the software will boot up on the system.
The issue, however, comes with how certain games function alongside the original console’s unique features and accessories, such as the Joy-Cons’ IR sensor, certain Labo kits, and indeed, the Joy-Con themselves.
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit won’t work because Switch 2 is too big to fit in the VR accessory, and the same goes for the piano in Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit. Meanwhile, games that require the IR sensor include WarioWare: Move It! and Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training for Nintendo Switch, and it’s unclear if the new Joy-Con have one.
Finally, Ring Fit Adventure requires a very specific additional accessory, and given the increase in size for the new Joy-Con controllers, this simply won’t work as intended.
Now, a big caveat (excluding Labo VR and Piano) is whether or not the original Switch Joy-Con will work wirelessly with the new console. If they do, then we could likely pair an original Joy-Con with the Switch 2, and off we go. We’ll update this guide when we get more information from Nintendo.
For now, here’s a list of major games that may not be compatible with Switch 2:
Requires original Joy-Con and/or IR Sensor
- WarioWare: Move It!
- 1-2 Switch
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training for Nintendo Switch
- Game Builder Garage
- Nintendo Labo
- Night Vision
Nintendo Labo VR Functionality
Some games such as Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey have optional modes with Labo VR functionality. We’ve listed them below due to that mode, but we’re almost certain these big first-party games will be playable on Switch 2 – you just won’t be able to enjoy these extra modes.
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit
- Spice and Wolf VR
- Spice and Wolf VR2
- The Knight Of Queen
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Can you transfer digital purchases to your Switch 2?
This hasn’t been confirmed by Nintendo properly, but given that you’ll be able to play your digital Switch 1 games on Switch 2, we think it’s safe to say “yes”.
We reckon it’ll be the same process as when you transfer your data between consoles — all your digital games will be attached to your Nintendo Account, so when you link it to the new console, all your games will be ready and waiting to download on the eShop.
Is Nintendo Switch Online available on the new console?
Of course it is! Well, we say “of course”, but you never can be too sure, right?
Fortunately, Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo Switch Online is available on Switch 2. We don’t know if the subscription prices will be the same, whether all the apps will be available, or if anything new is coming to the service yet. Hopefully we’ll get a little added extra for Switch 2.
For now, here’s a list of all of the games and platforms available on NSO.
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.
How can I play retro Nintendo games?
Pretty easily, thank goodness!
Nintendo Switch Online is the quickest way to play older games, especially if you already have a subscription to the current Switch — assuming all the same games and services are transferred over.
Some retro games are also available via compilations, such as the Cowabunga Collection (for your TMNT-obsessed friends) or the various Castlevania collections you can pick up.
Do I need to keep my original Nintendo Switch to play older games?
Unfortunately, because some games won’t be compatible with the Switch 2, you might want to hold on to your old Switch.
We don’t know what those games are yet, of course — Nintendo will share more info later, but Nintendo Labo-related games are a safe bet. Anyway, the Switch is so little, why wouldn’t you want to hold onto it? It doesn’t take up much space!
Are there any ports/remakes/remasters of older Nintendo games on Switch 2?
None have been confirmed so far, but we’d be surprised if no new ports or remasters were announced for the new console.
Barring that, you can (presumably) play Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Live A Live, and a whole host of other remakes or rereleases from the Switch on the new console.
