In an exciting update revealed on their Twitter, Nintendo has announced that games for the current Nintendo Switch will also be compatible with what many are referring to as the Nintendo Switch 2. This news came out following Nintendo’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, highlighting its commitment to ensuring continuity for their gaming community. This upcoming console, hyped as the successor to the immensely popular Nintendo Switch, promises to keep fans engaged without losing access to their existing game libraries.
If you’re keen to dive into the numbers, the full briefing, available on Nintendo’s official site, breaks down the impressive sales figures of the Nintendo Switch Family—boasting over 146 million units sold. It also touches on the staggering volume of games played, making it clear that the Nintendo Switch has seen more gaming action than any of its predecessors. The comprehensive 59-page document also delves into sales statistics and confirms the continuation of services like Nintendo Switch Online with the new console.
For those familiar with Sony or Microsoft consoles, Nintendo’s announcement might feel a bit par for the course. Microsoft has long excelled in backward compatibility, offering features like FPS Boost and Resolution Boost for older games on newer systems like the Xbox Series X/S. Sony, while somewhat limited post-PS3, has ensured that PS5 can run PS4 games with ease and has gradually expanded support for PS2 and PS1 through emulation, although PS3 titles remain reliant on cloud streaming.
Historically, Nintendo has fared well with backward compatibility, at least until the launch of the original Switch. The Wii U could handle discs from the Wii and GameCube, and its Virtual Console service successfully filled in many gaps for older titles. Similarly, the 3DS allowed gameplay of Nintendo DS games, though it fell short of supporting Game Boy Advance titles.
The switch to the Nintendo Switch was a significant turning point. With its new Arm CPU powered by Nvidia’s mobile technology, it broke from its past devices that relied on PowerPC architecture, marking an end to backward compatibility. Thankfully, the widespread success and appeal of the Switch have likely encouraged Nintendo to adopt a more inclusive strategy for the Switch 2, ensuring that the games you purchase today will remain relevant on their next-gen console.
There’s also hope that this transition will enhance the performance of games previously hampered by the original hardware, such as “Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” potentially allowing them to run at smoother frame rates without relying on third-party emulation solutions. This could curb Nintendo’s ongoing battles with emulators while ensuring players enjoy enhanced experiences as technology progresses.
Stay tuned for further updates, and as always, keep an eye out for the latest news and comprehensive game reviews straight from Tom’s Hardware, delivered right to your inbox.
