Your old Switch games will be compatible with the successor to the Nintendo Switch – but one question remains.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa confirms backwards compatibility for the successor to the Nintendo Switch in an X-post.
That’s why this is important:With the confirmation of backwards compatibility, a big wish of the community comes true.
- The “Nintendo Switch 2” will thus have access to an extensive game library right from launch.
- Furthermore, owners of the current Nintendo Switch will also be able to play games they have already purchased with the successor – possibly with improved performance or graphics.
古川です。本日の経営方針説明会で、Nintendo Switchの後継機種ではNintendo Switch向けソフトも遊べることを公表しました。また、Nintendo Switch Onlineも後継機種で引き続きご利用いただけるようにします。これらNintendo Switchとの互換性を含む replacement model’s detailed information will be provided separately.
— 任天堂株式会社(企業広報・IR) (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024
In detail: Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed during a briefing on corporate governance policy that the successor to the Nintendo Switch is compatible with the software of the current console.
- The “Nintendo Switch Online” service will also be available with the successor.
- Because this service has not been renamed yet, this could mean that Nintendo will stick with the name “Nintendo Switch”.
However, there are still some uncertainties: Furukawa has so far only confirmed that Nintendo Switch software is compatible with its successor. This could mean that you can at least take digital games with you to the next console. Whether physical game cartridges will also be compatible has not yet been clarified.
Community welcomes the confirmation:Players are happy about this news.
Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.
byu/Turbostrider27 inNintendoSwitch
There is also joy under the X post, including from Geoff Keighley, host of the Game Awards, who thanks Furukawa for the update.
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. Further information about…
— 任天堂株式会社(企業広報・IR) (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024
What’s next? Furukawa writes that more specific information on backwards compatibility will follow. Nintendo also reaffirms that an announcement about the “Switch 2” will be made before the end of this fiscal year, i.e. by the end of March 2025.
What do you think of this news? Is backwards compatibility important to you? What features and improvements would you like to see in the Nintendo Switch 2? Feel free to let us know in the comments!
