Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatible?

Nintendo gamers tend to be pretty loyal to the brand, so of course one of the biggest questions about the new console is, “Can you play Switch games on Switch 2?” There’s no good reason for a system to not be backwards compatible these days, and we’re proud to say the Switch 2 is backwards compatible. 

Or it’s supposed to be. The Nintendo Switch 2’s backwards compatibility has had a few hiccups (detailed below).

While you’re waiting for seamless Switch backwards compatibility, there are plenty of great new Switch 2 games to play, and downloading the Fetch app is one of the easiest ways to offset the games’ higher price tags.

How to get rewarded for gaming with Fetch

Along with the Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility announcement, the company let gamers know that the price of Switch games would be going up. Of course, if you’ve got the Fetch app on your phone, you’re already prepared to offset the price bump (and maybe even get a few games for free). 

Fetch makes it easy to earn gift cards to cover some or all of the price of your next Nintendo Switch game, and you can even do it by gaming.

Play mobile games, get rewarded: Fetch Play

In addition to snapping your receipts and taking advantage of the different offers in the Fetch app, you can earn points just by playing mobile games. In fact, Fetch Play gamers tend to earn thousands of Fetch Points a week just from gaming. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the Fetch app.
2. Tap the joystick icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap “Play Now” to browse your personalized game catalog.
4. Choose a game from the catalog and download it from the provided link.
5. Complete tasks to earn points toward your next gift card.

Redeem those points for a gift card to the Nintendo eShop, Amazon or your favorite brick and mortar retailer.

Earn Nintendo Switch games with Fetch Shop

If you’re the kind of gamer who prefers physical copies of their games, then you should buy all of your Nintendo Switch games in Fetch Shop. Shop online at retailers like Best Buy and Walmart to earn points on the dollar on eligible purchases. Here’s how to buy your next Nintendo game in Fetch Shop:

1. Open the Fetch app.
2. Tap the shopping cart icon on the bottom (to the left of the camera icon).
3. Find your video game retailer of choice, like Best Buy or Walmart.
4. Tap “Shop.”
5. Make your purchase in the app to earn points.

Your points earned in Fetch Shop can be redeemed for gift cards to wherever you want to buy your next Nintendo Switch 2 game or accessory, including the Nintendo eShop, Best Buy, Walmart or Amazon.

Is Switch 2 backwards compatible: what we know

As we’ve said, the Switch 2 is backwards compatible. “Backwards compatible” is mostly a gaming term, though, and if you haven’t heard it before, here’s what it means: in addition to Nintendo Switch 2 games, the system can also play compatible physical and digital games released on the original Switch system.

Almost every Switch game works on Switch 2

With thousands of Nintendo Switch games, it was almost a certainty that some of them would have issues, but as of launch, you can play the majority of Switch games on Switch 2. Check out the current Nintendo Switch compatibility guide.

Connect your Nintendo account for a seamless transition

Connecting your Switch 2 to your Nintendo account should be all you need to do in order to play Switch games on your new Switch 2.

Bring your save files with Nintendo System Transfer

Worried about the hours you logged in Breath of the Wild or Fire Emblem? The System Transfer feature lets you easily transfer your save data along with your digital games.

Enhanced Nintendo Switch games with Switch 2 updates

Most gamers’ only question on Switch 2 backwards compatibility was “can I play my old games,” but Nintendo had a much better answer: not only can you play Switch games on Switch 2, many of them will be better (Nintendo’s official announcement).

Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Switch games

Nintendo went all-out with the Switch 2, going so far as to revisit some of their most popular games and expand on them for the Switch 2. These are just some of the games that feature a “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition,” meaning they can be bought as Switch 2 games or you can upgrade your Switch 1 version for a small cost:

• Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
• Super Mario Party Jamboree
• Tamagotchi Plaza
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Nintendo Switch games with free Switch 2 updates

These popular games were updated for Switch 2 to improve compatibility and add the new GameShare feature to play with friends.

• ARMS
• Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
• Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
• Game Builder Garage
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
• Super Mario Odyssey
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Nintendo Switch games with improved frame rates

The standard 60 FPS frame rate was a major highlight of the Switch 2 announcement, but Nintendo and gamers glossed over what this might mean for Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility. These are some of the more popular games that would benefit from a revisit with 60 FPS on the Switch 2:

• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
• Bayonetta 3
• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Bakeru
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus
• Disco Elysium
• NEO: The World Ends with You
• No More Heroes III
• Outer Wilds
• The House of the Dead
• Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
• Resident Evil 6
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Which Switch games have Switch 2 compatibility issues

Now, we opened by saying that the Nintendo Switch 2 should be backwards compatible, and based on the list above, you can tell that it mostly is. That said, there are a few titles that aren’t backwards compatible and then a few others that are running into compatibility issues.

Switch games with backwards compatibility bugs

While the 60 FPS frame rate is a great improvement for some games, others are struggling with it. You might also run into a game that has some Joy-Con issues or gameplay lag. Because there are thousands of Switch games, even just 1% of them having an issue would make a long list, so we’re going to link you to Nintendo’s official lists:

• Games with issues that prevent progress on Nintendo Switch 2
• Games with issues resolved via update

Games requiring Switch 1 Joy-Cons

Whenever a new console comes out, it’s mostly full of upgrades. But sometimes a feature gets discontinued. The Switch 2 Joy-Cons no longer have IR emitter/receiver devices on them and are a different size than the old Joy-Cons. These games will require you use Switch 1 Joy-Cons with your Switch 2:

• Ring Fit Adventure
• 1-2-Switch
• Everybody 1-2-Switch
• Game Builder Garage
• Nintendo Switch Sports
• WarioWare: Move It!
• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01
• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02
• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03

You can find full compatibility issues for these titles in Nintendo’s official announcement.

Unusable Nintendo Switch software 

The list of games that have serious compatibility issues with Switch 2 is so short that we’re going to include apps that are currently not compatible with the new console as well.

• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit
• Niconico
• ABEMA
• Hulu
• Crunchyroll
• InkyPen

Stack rewards, save big: how to maximize your Fetch Points

Now that you know everything there is to know about Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility, let’s make sure you know all you need to make the most out of Fetch.

• Stack your Fetch Points with retailer rewards and discount programs.
• Do your online shopping in Fetch Shop.
• Play featured games in Fetch Play.
• Snap your physical receipts and connect eReceipts.
• Take advantage of boosted brands and personalized offers.
• Save up points to earn a greater reward to point value ratio.
• Refer friends and take advantage of double point periods in Fetch Play.

Download the Fetch app to save on your Switch

Whether you’ve upgraded to the backwards-compatible Switch 2 already or you’re sticking with the first generation model for a bit longer, you can use Fetch Points to save on your next game. Download the Fetch app today, check out the available Fetch Play games and see how quickly you can rack up points toward your next Switch game just by playing games on your phone.