Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 can play Switch games via backward compatibility, but the company has revealed more details on how this works. In an assertion to the developer’s Q&A, Switch 2 Director Takuhiro Dohta revealed that backward compatibility on future consoles is not a result of the original switch hardware.
For context, the Nintendo 3DS was able to play games made for the DS to include old handheld hardware. Similarly, the PS2 was able to play old titles using embedded PSONE hardware. According to Dohta, technical considerations have made it difficult for Nintendo to approach backward compatibility in the same way on the Switch 2.
“When we first started developing Switch 2, the focus was on improving performance as hardware, namely expanding its capabilities,” Dohta said. “So compatibility was a low priority. For example, Nintendo DS games were playable on the Nintendo 3DS, while Wii games were playable on the Wii U, but because the hardware design approach was different from those systems, it was difficult to achieve the same level of compatibility as the Switch 2.”
Switch 2 producer Kawamotogishi added a statement to explain how backward compatibility worked on Nintendo’s previous consoles. Switch 2, on the other hand, does not include the hardware of the original switch.
“Simply put, these systems were compatible because the Nintendo 3DS included Nintendo DS hardware and the Wii U included Wii hardware,” Kawamoto said. “However, Switch 2 does not include switch hardware.”
Dohta describes the Switch 2’s approach to backward compatibility as “something somewhere between software emulators and hardware compatibility.” This allows the new console to convince the game to think it is running on the original switch. Switch 2 converts game switch data in real time while the game is running.
Currently, Nintendo has revealed that around 122 unique games and over 15,000 third-party games will be backward compatible and playable from Switch 2. There are also some Switch games that face compatibility issues with Switch 2 due to the dedicated hardware you need. This includes the following titles 1-2 Switch, Ring Fit Adventureand Game Builder GarageEspecially because of the quirks of the Joy-Con and Joy-Con 2 controllers.
Dohta previously said that running Switch games on Switch 2 would improve gaming performance and stability due to the powerful hardware of the console in the future. He said that even if players don’t purchase the Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack, they’ll enjoy a better experience with the new console gaming thanks to features like GameChat.
Meanwhile, the Switch 2 edition upgrade pack offers an improved experience for several Switch games. The Legend of Zelda: The Kingdom’s Tears and Super Mario Party Jamboree. The upgrade pack also brings new content to some games, while others only get performance and resolution improvements.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to be released on June 5th. For more information, see our recent in-person reporting.
