Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature backward compatibility with its predecessor, but the reveal trailer hints there might be a catch.
During the official reveal trailer showcasing the console and a new Mario Kart game, likely Mario Kart 9, there was a brief mention of backward compatibility. The trailer included a small disclaimer indicating that while the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward compatible, certain software titles might not be playable, as indicated by an asterisk.
The console supports both physical and digital games through backward compatibility, but not all games might be fully supported. Details on backward compatibility will be revealed later on the Nintendo website.
The catch could be related to special features used in some Nintendo Switch games. The original Nintendo Switch JoyCon had additional sensors for gameplay features, used in first-party games or products like Nintendo Labo. If the Switch 2 doesn’t support the original JoyCon, these games would be unplayable on the new console. This was also the case with the Nintendo Switch Lite, which couldn’t play games requiring motion controls unless paired with detachable JoyCon.
Nintendo has announced a new Nintendo Direct for April 4, 2025, which will potentially share more information on the Nintendo Switch 2, including specs, third-party support, games, and software. Fans are already speculating about the potential of the new hardware.
This marks the first time Nintendo has released a console that’s more of an iteration, with its name carrying a “2” in the logo.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is anticipated to launch in 2025. It is likely that Nintendo will announce the release date and launch lineup during their April Direct presentation. In any case, fans can expect a significant number of cross-platform and cross-generation releases in the debut year of the Nintendo Switch 2.
