In the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer, Nintendo revealed a little more detail about how backwards compatibility will work on the new Nintendo console.
Nintendo’s president previously acknowledged that backwards compatibility, or the ability to play previous generation games on new consoles, would be a feature, but did not provide further details.
This is Furukawa. At today’s management policy briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will also be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch. For more information…
— ???????????????IR? (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024
They have now confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 “can play not only Nintendo Switch games, but also games exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.” However, although “Nintendo Switch 2 can play both physical and digital versions of Nintendo Switch games,” “some Nintendo Switch games may not be fully supported or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.” There is a possibility that there is no possibility.”
The attached image shows an existing Switch cartridge that matches the one used in the Switch 2.
Perhaps Switch 2 exclusive games will have slightly different sticker designs to differentiate the games (the box design has also been tweaked), but thankfully it’s very easy and looks like what you’re used to on other backwards compatible generations. It’s not much different than what you have.
We don’t expect there to be many compatibility issues considering the device isn’t much different from the original, but we’ll have to wait for more details that Nintendo promises to share on Nintendo’s website at a later date.
Luckily, we Australians will be the first to get our hands on the console later this year.
