Nintendo Confirms Switch 2 Will Support All Your Old Games: Why It Matters?

2 weeks ago

Last Updated:November 07, 2024, 09:30 IST

Nintendo is gradually teasing the launch details about the Switch 2 console but the biggest news is probably linked to the games.

The next Switch version will let you run the existing games.

Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa just dropped an exciting update about the next-generation platform. During a corporate management policy briefing, Furukawa said that the successor to the Nintendo Switch will feature full backward compatibility, meaning all Nintendo Switch games will be playable on the upcoming console.

This announcement is a game-changer for gamers, ensuring that their existing library of Switch titles will continue to be compatible with the new system.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Nintendo account confirmed this by stating, “This is Furukawa. At today’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well.

The announcement of backward compatibility for the upcoming Switch 2 is a huge win for Nintendo, ensuring that dedicated gamers won't have to part with their current game purchases. By prioritising player convenience, Nintendo is setting the stage for a seamless transition to the next-generation console, aligning itself with the industry standards established by PlayStation and Xbox.

While the company’s post teases just one feature of the new system, it also hints at further updates to come soon.

The tweet, however, remains unclear about whether the new Switch will allow for digital library transfers through a Nintendo Account or whether it will support physical Switch games. According to Nintendo, more details on the Switch 2's compatibility with current titles will be shared in the future.

Moreover, Nintendo has confirmed that the successor to the Nintendo Switch will be revealed before April 2025, with CEO Shuntaro Furukawa affirming in May 2024 that the Switch 2 will be announced before the new fiscal year. In light of this, Nintendo also acknowledged a recent decline in both hardware and software sales, which has led the company to lower its sales forecast for the current Switch model.

With the gaming landscape evolving, consumer expectations for backward compatibility have risen, especially with systems like the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and platforms like Steam offering seamless compatibility with previous generation games. Nintendo's decision to ensure full backward compatibility for the Switch 2 is a strategic move, particularly with the impressive 140 million user base for the Switch condole. A successor without backward compatibility would have been a major hurdle, and gamers are already expressing praise for this decision.