Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible

There are many rumors going around about the next version of the Nintendo Switch. From the name to the features and even what kind of games it will play, we haven’t received any official details other than to say it’s being worked on, and we’ll probably hear about it officially next year. Fans are wondering what new innovation the company will present with the new console.

Mario holds up a Wii U in the foreground with a switch in the background

All Switch 2 needs to do to lock in the next generation is avoid being the Wii U

The Switch was a huge win for Nintendo, but the Wii U wasn’t that long ago.

However, it looks like Nintendo has changed its mind and dropped an important detail about the upcoming console. It looks like the “Switch 2” will be backwards compatible, meaning you’ll be able to play current Switch games on the next-gen console. That’s great considering the current Switch has been on the market for so long and has a huge catalog.

A step into the past

This information only emerged a few hours ago, straight from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, who announced this feature on the company’s official Twitter account.

“This is Furukawa. During today’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch,” the Tweet said. “Nintendo Switch Online will also be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Further information about the Nintendo Switch successor, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.”

So it looks like you can play all games released for the Switch from 2017 onwards. That’s a lot of games, and it’s definitely the right move on Nintendo’s part, as giving up almost eight years’ worth of titles would certainly not go down well with the fanbase.

This announcement seemingly came at a very strategic time. Just yesterday we reported that Nintendo Switch sales have fallen dramatically in the first half of the 2025 financial year. The company has seen an overall revenue decline of 34 percent, mainly as fans have waited for the Switch 2. Perhaps this is Nintendo’s way of telling that loyal fans can hold off on buying a new Switch because they can also play older titles on the next-gen console.