The Nintendo Direct for Switch 2 has run and finally we know more about the new handheld console of the Japanese group. Thanks to improved hardware, a display with 120Hz, HDR and the option for 4K output, switch games will be in the futureas performant as never before.
No wonder that a whole series of chic launch titles for Switch 2 were announced during the reveal presentation; even.
However, if you want to take your existing games from Switch 1 to the successor, you could encounter problems.Because downward compatibility is only partially available on Nintendo's new console.Soft- and hardware of the Switch 2 fundamentally differ from the predecessor.
First of all:Basically, according to Nintendo, switch games should also be playable on the Switch 2; So there is already downward compatibility. The size of the game chips also remains the same. But under the hood, the new switch variant works significantly differently: Switch 1 games must therefore be emulated in real time-similar to Windows games on the Steam Deck.
And this is exactly where it seems to be haper.Because as Nintendo also announced, there are currently still compatibility problems in a long series of Switch games (around 180) - or they do not start. You can see the corresponding lists here:
DieIf you can start the Switch 2, but can cause problems when playing.On the other hand, on the other hand, the Switch 2 will not start. However, there are already plans for a dedicated new version of Fortnite for Switch 2.
What options are there for my switch games?
Nintendo has already announced to work on the known compatibility problems for switch 1 title; This also emerges from the published lists.
So it is planned that some previous switch titles correspond toFree updates can be obtained to better run on the Switch 2. So far, this includesAnd the newer one. These games should then also have the new Switch 2 feature Gameshare.
The other, but also much more expensive option are so -calledUpgrade Packs
, the corresponding titles then improved all -round improvedSwitch 2 Edition
raise. Nintendo has not yet announced how much such an upgrade should cost; But it won't be cheap. So far, the list of confirmed titles with Switch-2-upgrade has included six games:
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Super Mario Party Jamboree
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (appears 2025)
- Pokémon Legends: ZA (appears 2025)
However, the scope of the improvements is clearly different in the titles mentioned. The new Pokémon game on Switch 2 should only receive an improved performance with a higher frame rate.on the other hand, even gets a mouse control for the new joycons.
Incidentally, titles that do not stand on the lists mentioned above should easily run on your Switch 2. And even if one of your games is among the unfortunate 180, there is reason to hope.
Nintendo has already announced that it will start a large-scale test program to make most Switch 1 titles fit for the successor. In this way, significantly more games will enjoy a free compatibility update or a dedicated Switch 2 version in the coming months. However, it is unclear whether the entire Switch 1 game catalog is really ported.
