The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, but many will be wondering whether they can straight up replace their trusty old Switch console with the successor, or whether they'll need to hold onto the first hybrid console to play their old games.
In this guide, we'll be covering the Nintendo Switch 2's backwards compatibility, with full lists of all Switch games with issues on Switch 2 as things currently stand. We'll also look at whether Nintendo Switch Online is available on the system, and how to play older games on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility - Can It Play Switch 1 Games?
Yes, it can, but not all of them!
Barring some exceptions, which we'll cover below, you'll be able to play both physical and digital Switch 1 games on the new console. That's a relief, right?
The Switch 2 will be able to take and read Switch 1 cartridges, but you'll also be able to transfer your digital library of games over from your old Switch, as long as you keep hold of the console. Our guide on How To Move All Games, Saves, Profiles From Switch 1 will prep you for launch day save transferring.
But not all Switch 1 games will be playable on Switch 2, and we've listed all of these below as per Nintendo's website.
Switch 1 Games With Start-Up Issues on Switch 2
Here we have a list of games that Nintendo reports have start-up issues, meaning the games aren't currently booting up on the Switch 2.
You can also check this list out on Nintendo's own site to ensure you've got the latest additions.
- 112 Operator
- A Boy and His Blob Retro Collection
- Abyss Memory Fallen Angel and the Path of Magic
- ACA Neogeo Art of Fighting 2
- ACA Neogeo Samurai Shodown II
- ACA Neogeo the King of Fighters '95
- ACA Neogeo the King of Fighters '96
- Airhead
- Alchemy Garden
- Another Crab's Treasure
- Arcade Archives Burger Time
- Arcade Archives Crime City
- Arcade Archives Dig Dug
- Arcade Archives Gradius III
- Arcade Archives New Rally-X
- Arcade Archives Pac-Land
- Arcade Archives Xevious
- Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute
- Astral Flux
- Baron: Fur Is Gonna Fly
- Batman: The Enemy Within
- Beyond the Ice Palace II
- Boot Hill Bounties
- Boot Hill Heroes
- Botany Manor
- Bus Simulator 2023: City Driver
- Cats Hidden in Italy
- Crazy Strike Bowling EX
- Dadish 2
- Darksiders Genesis
- Dead by Daylight
- Death Coming
- Doom: Eternal
- Eggy Party
- Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
- Everdream Valley Untold Tales
- Everspace
- Fables Mosaic: Snow White
- Felix the Cat
- Final Fantasy
- Fitness Boxing (see update)
- Floor Kids
- Fortnite (see update)
- Framed Collection
- Gal Guardians: Demon Purge
- Gang Beasts
- Gas Guzzlers Extreme
- Grid Autosport
- Guns Gore and Cannoli
- I Got Isekai'd into a Shmup
- Inferno 2
- Island Flight Simulator
- Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
- Kids Vs Parents
- KILL la KILL - IF
- Korean Drone Flying Tour Jeju Island-1
- Kosmokrats
- Library of Ruina
- Little Nightmares Complete Edition
- Manticore - Galaxy on Fire
- Mexican Train Dominoes Gold
- Model Debut #Nicola
- Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame
- Monster Loves You Too!
- Musynx
- Nascar Rivals
- NBA 2K18
- NBA 2K25
- Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet
- Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
- Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon
- Nobody Saves the World
- Nova-111
- Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
- OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes
- OMG Police - Car Chase TV Simulator
- Onigo Hunter
- Palia
- Perseverance: Complete Edition
- Pineview Drive
- Pizza Tower
- Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
- Process of Elimination
- Raiden III X Mikado Maniax
- Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles
- Rims Racing
- River City Girls Zero
- Rocket League
- Roller Champions
- Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited
- Senran Kagura Reflexions
- Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-a-fide Edition
- Slayin 2
- Soul Dog TD
- South of the Circle
- South Park: The Fractured but Whole
- Sportitions'24
- Star Melody Yumemi Dreamer
- Star Wars Episode I: Racer Aspyr
- Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster
- Strania -The Stella Machina- EX
- Summer Pockets
- Super Mega Baseball 3
- Super Neptunia RPG
- Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival
- Taito Milestones
- The Cube
- The Jackbox Party Pack
- The Jackbox Party Pack 2
- The Journey Down Trilogy
- The Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition
- Tokyo Xanadu EX+
- Touhou Gouyoku Ibun ～ Sunken Fossil World
- Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
- Tricky Towers
- Trip World DX
- Trove
- Trover Saves the Universe
- Tt Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]
- Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi
- V-Rally 4 Nacon
- Victor Vran Overkill Edition
- Warface: Clutch
- Warframe
- Warp Shift Kyrkudden
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- Wolfenstein II: the New Colossus
- World of Tanks Blitz
- Xtreme Sports
Switch 1 Games With Compatibility Issues On Switch 2
Now, here's another big one, here is a list of games that currently have been marked by Nintendo as having in-game issues. That means you can start up the game, but problems may emerge while playing them on the new console.
Reminder that this list is subject to change as Nintendo potentially resolves any compatibility issues or more problems are discovered.
- Alan Wake Remastered
- Alien: Isolation
- Arcade Archives Ordyne
- Arcade Archives Phelios
- Arcade Archives Tetris The Absolute The Grand Master 2 Plus
- Arcade Archives Tetris The Grand Master
- Asphalt Legends Unite
- Dadish
- Dex
- Dust: An Elysian Tail
- Elderand
- Factorio
- Fall Guys
- Family Chess
- Games Advent Calendar - 25 Days - 25 Surprises
- Godlike Burger
- Harvestella
- Hitman 3 - Cloud Version
- Hot Wheels Unleashed
- Just Dance 2019
- Klondike Solitaire
- Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
- Matchpoint Tennis Championships
- Mega Man Legacy Collection
- MotoGP 21
- My Brother Rabbit
- Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars
- Noir Chronicles: City of Crime
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Pilot Sports
- Pocoyo Party
- Port Royale 4
- Raiden IV x Mikado Remix
- Real Car Driving Simulator & Parking 2022 Games
- S.N.I.P.E.R. Hunter Scope
- Saints Row IV: Re-Elected
- Smilebasic 4
- Steven Universe: Save the Light
- Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
- Stumble Guys
Switch 1 Games That Can't Be Played on Switch 2
Nintendo only lists one game that "cannot be played" on Nintendo Switch 2:
However, the wording is a little unclear - "The Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be inserted into the Toy-Con VR Goggles accessory, so this game cannot be played."
Essentially, it seems like the only issue is that the console doesn't fit into the Toy-Con VR Goggles and not that the software is incompatible. Really, it's more likely that games with VR modes on the Switch 1 simply won't be playable on Switch 2. We'll obviously update this guide when we know more.
Switch 1 Games That Can't Be Played With Joy-Con 2
Along with compatibility issues, there are also some Switch 1 games that will work on Switch 2, but only with the Joy-Con from the Switch 1.
The list is relatively short, and almost all of them require the original Joy-Con IR sensors:
| Switch 1 Game | Reason you need Switch 1 Joy-Con |
|---|---|
| 1-2-Switch | Some minigames require IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
| Everybody 1-2-Switch! | Force feedback vibrations are reduced in Joy-Con 2, making joy-Con Hide & Seek harder |
| Game Builder Garage | Free Programming mode requires IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit | Joy-Con 2 do not fit in any of the Toy Con accessories. RC Car Toy-Con antenna cannot be attached to Switch 2 console |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit | Joy-Con 2 do not fit in Toy-Con Robot accessory |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit | Switch 2 doesn't fit in screen stand but Joy-Con 1 work with accessories, so the experience will be different |
| Nintendo Switch Sports | The Joy-Con 2 does not fit in the leg strap |
| Ring Fit Adventure | The Joy-Con 2 does not fit in the Ring-Con |
| WarioWare: Move It! | Some microgames require the IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility FAQs
Need to know more about backwards compatibility, including how to play games not available on the system? Here are some frequently asked questions on the matter.
So, do all other Switch 1 games work on Switch 2?
That's the assumption right now. As long as your game isn't listed above, we're pretty sure it should run on the Switch 2 no problems.
Over on the official Nintendo Switch 2 website, you'll see a rather fetching graphic with box art for multiple Switch games that are (likely) playable on the successor. These are all big first-party titles, so there's no threat that you won't be able to play Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Splatoon 3, or Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Of course, some Switch 1 games are getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition or a free performance upgrade for the new console. If you're curious about those titles, then have a look at our complete guide on Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games & Free Performance Updates.