Nintendo has confirmed that you will be able to play Switch games on the Switch 2

The Switch has been on the market for a long time, and that’s why many players have come over the years collecting a multitude of the company’s games. And for those who were worried about the fate of these games, the good news is that they will be usable on the Switch 2.

The news was officially confirmed by Nintendo in an unexpected announcement, but it ended up bringing relief to many fans of the company who are already preparing to purchase the successor to their successful portable console, even though there is still no firm date for its launch. . Yet.

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Backwards compatibility is a welcome new feature

With the arrival of the new Nintendo Switch, which is currently known only as Switch 2, many fans of the company are eager to discover what the new generation of Nintendo’s portable console will bring.

However, many were also concerned about the library of games already collected over the years of the Switch’s existence. Although backwards compatibility may seem obvious, it really isn’t. Especially when talking about Nintendo.

This is because in the past, in many cases, the company preferred to start a new console generation with a completely different platform, which ended up forcing players to invest in new games or even having to buy their favorite games again.

Examples of this were the Nintendo 64 and SNES, where the game library was restricted to each console, which allowed Nintendo to resell classics, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, on various platforms over the years.

This is a beneficial strategy for the company, as it has more profits, but it is not good for consumers who need to spend more money or keep old consoles to enjoy their favorite games, nor for the preservation of the games themselves, since the older titles become inaccessible.

But at least with the Switch 2, Nintendo seems to have learned its lesson. While backwards compatibility doesn’t guarantee success (the Wii U says so), it is a welcome feature for consumers and the gaming market.

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…

— Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Corporate Public Relations/IR) (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024

“This is Furukawa. At today’s Corporate Management Policy Meeting, we announced that Nintendo Switch games will also be playable on the Nintendo Switch successor. Nintendo Switch Online will also be available on the Nintendo Switch successor. More information about the Nintendo Switch successor, including its compatibility with the Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.”

The Switch already has an innovative library

In the case of the Switch, the news is even better as the console already has a vast library of games and is currently one of its biggest attractions. Since 2017, the Switch has accumulated an impressive catalog with hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and several games from the Pokémon universe. Not to mention several ports of other successful games (although Nintendo Switch ports are definitely not their strong point).

Still, this vast library resulted in an all-time record: the Switch sold more games than any other Nintendo platform, with 1.3061 billion software units sold. Furthermore, the company also revealed that the Switch is the company’s hardware on which the most software has been played.

Ironically, the Switch’s own success was, in part, facilitated by its lack of backwards compatibility. As the Switch did not play games from its previous generation, Nintendo was able to re-release several Wii U titles, ensuring a continuous flow of releases that, in addition to renewing interest in classics, attracted a new audience. One of the Switch’s biggest hits, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, is an enhanced port of a title originally released on the Wii U.

Company continues to release great games today

With the decision to support backwards compatibility on the next console, Nintendo offers great benefits for consumers and the market itself. For those who already own a Switch, the transition will be smoother, as the games they purchased will be immediately available on the new platform. For new gamers, the Switch’s extensive library of games will be accessible from day one, adding to the new console’s appeal.

This decision also explains why Nintendo continues to release great titles even with the imminent arrival of the Switch’s success. Now it’s clearer than ever that people waiting for the new Switch to arrive can buy the latest games without fear.

In 2024, games like Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Princess Peach: Showtime and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom have been released and will likely still have a significant lifespan, benefiting from next-gen compatibility. Nintendo also has other major releases planned for the future, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Legends: ZA, and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition.

Nintendo becoming increasingly unified

Nintendo has invested in a strategy of unifying its offerings, both in hardware and services. Since merging its handheld and console game development divisions, the company has focused on a cohesive product line.

The arrival of long-running services like the new music streaming app Nintendo Music also make it clear that the company is heading down a path to expanding the Switch ecosystem beyond a single platform. Now, Nintendo offers a linked account system, allowing players to access their content and games across multiple platforms, proving this new unified approach.

Switch 2 will be revealed in early 2025

Also according to Nintendo, the Switch 2 is still planned to be officially revealed by the company during this fiscal year, which ends at the end of March 2025, so it is likely that the company will begin presenting official information about the hardware early. next year.

Fonte: TheVerge