Amid all the news that we got for the Switch 2 on Direct 2 day, we now know a lot more about backwards compatibility for the new device.
Nintendo has confirmed via a special page the games which will not work at all, as well as a list of games that the publisher is working on to get running better, as well.
Perhaps surprisingly, there is only one single game that “cannot be played on Nintendo Switch 2”, and it’s Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. As for why, Nintendo says: “The Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be inserted into the Toy-Con VR Goggles accessory, so this game cannot be played.”
There are two big lists released now, in PDF form, that split the games with compatibility issues between “start up issues” and “games that are playable, but have some in-game compatibility issues”.
Here’s those two lists:
- Games with start up issues on Nintendo Switch 2. (PDF, 2.3 MB)
- Games that are playable, but have some in-game compatibility issues. (PDF, 938 KB)
Perhaps bigger news though, is that your old peripherals like the Pro Controller, will work on the new Switch 2. You’ll lose functionality like the C-Button for the new chat features, but you can also use the Joy-Con controllers from the original Switch. In fact, you’ll have to if you want to play certain games.
Ring Fit Adventure
Joy-Con 2 can’t be attached to the Ring-Con accessory that’s included with Ring Fit Adventure, but you can play on Nintendo Switch 2 by attaching Nintendo Switch Joy-Con to the Ring-Con. Joy-Con 2 do not fit in the leg strap.
1-2-Switch
Joy-Con 2 controllers don’t include an IR Motion Camera, as is featured on the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (R), so it’s only possible to play games that use this feature if you wirelessly connect a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (R).
Everybody 1-2-Switch!
The volume of the Joy-Con 2 controllers’ force feedback vibrations has been reduced compared to the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, so it may be more difficult to find hidden Joy-Con 2 in the minigame Joy-Con Hide & Seek.
Game Builder Garage
Joy-Con 2 controllers don’t include an IR Motion Camera, as is featured on the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (R), so it’s only possible to use the IR Motion Camera Nodon or IR-Light Nodon in the Free Programming mode if you wirelessly connect a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (R).
Nintendo Switch Sports
Joy-Con 2 controllers do not fit inside the leg strap accessory, so it’s only possible to play the Soccer Shoot-Out mode using a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con.
WarioWare: Move It!
Joy-Con 2 controllers don’t include an IR Motion Camera, as is featured on the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (R), so it’s only possible to play microgames that use this feature if you wirelessly connect a Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (R).
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit
While Nintendo Switch Joy-Con can be used with the included Toy-Con accessories, the Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be placed in the Fishing Rod, Motorbike, Piano or House Toy-Con accessories, nor can the RC Car Toy-Con accessory’s antenna be attached to the Nintendo Switch 2 console, so it will differ from the original game experience.
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit
Joy-Con 2 can’t be attached to the Toy-Con Robot accessory, but if you have Nintendo Switch Joy-Con you can play this title on Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit
While Nintendo Switch Joy-Con can be used with the included Toy-Con accessories, the Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be placed in the screen stand included with this title, so it will differ from the original game experience.
So there you have it. Almost every game is compatible, but there’s a few small oddities that you’ll need to get around for some of them.
Read our in depth, full coverage of Nintendo Switch 2 here.
