Nintendo Verifies Compatibility of Switch 2 with Previous Games
Nintendo Verifies Compatibility of Switch 2 with Previous Games
Nintendo revealed late Tuesday night that the as-of-yet unnamed Switch 2 console will be compatible with previous titles. However, the fate of physical cartridges in 2025 remains unclear.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa shared the news on Twitter, mentioning that Nintendo Switch games will be playable on the successor to the Switch. Furthermore, players can carry over their Nintendo Switch Online accounts to the new console.
Furukawa's statement leaves room for speculation. His mention of "compatibility with Nintendo Switch" suggests there might be limitations with the use of physical cartridges on the new console. It's likely that digitally downloaded games will remain playable, but Nintendo may need to implement some innovative workarounds for physical media.
The Corporate Management Policy Briefing doesn't provide much more insight. Nintendo plans to maintain its relationship with consumers across different generations primarily through Nintendo Switch Online. They will use the "Nintendo Account" to preserve their positive relationship with players.
This implies that Nintendo will predominantly utilize Switch Online for backward compatibility. The company confirmed that older Switch titles can be purchased for the Switch 2. However, details on compatibility will be unveiled at a later date.
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
Nintendo has announced that it plans to reveal the console within its current fiscal year, which ends in March 2025. Despite the announcement, hardware sales have not been influenced positively. Nintendo revised its sales projections, expecting to sell 12.5 million units instead of the initial 13.5 million. Hardware sales for the OLED Switch and Switch Lite have fallen by 31% compared to the previous year for the September quarter.
Nintendo attributed the sales drop to the lack of high-profile games and tie-in properties, such as Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Despite this, Nintendo maintains that sales are better than those of past consoles in their eighth year.
As a result, Nintendo is emphasizing that it's still a safe bet to purchase Switch software for friends and family during the holiday season. The release of Mario & Luigi: Brothership on Nov. 7, along with a few revamps and re-releases, offers some exciting options. However, no major franchises are set to launch before then. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is slated for release next year, which could potentially bridge the gap between the Switch 1 and Switch 2. If you're planning on buying anything soon, it might be wise to opt for the digital version first.
The announcement of Nintendo Switch 2's compatibility with previous titles suggests a blend of tech and tradition in the future of gaming on the new console. Despite the confirmation of older Switch titles' availability on the Switch 2, the future of physical cartridges remains uncertain.