The Switch 2 will be backwards compatible, Nintendo confirms

Nintendo have announced that the successor to the Switch, known for now as the Switch 2, will be backwards compatible. This is a the first major announcement about Nintendo's next console for some time.

Information has been incredibly thin on the ground for Nintendo fans, despite huge interest in the console. We had some leaked information that the console is codenamed ounces, and we know that the console is not likely to release in 2024.

Today's announcement from Nintendo confirms that "Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch."

This confirmation will be great news for Nintendo fans. It means two things, both that Nintendo Switch games people have already bought can be kept around, and also that it is safe to purchase new games regardless of when the Switch 2 releases.

It also means that we probably won't see a period of games releasing on two consoles at once. Or, games being remade for the Switch successor that previously released on the Switch. This happened during the first year of the Switch's lifespan, with games like Mario Kart being re-released on the Switch having been developed for the WiiU.

Additionally, Nintendo Switch Online will also be avaliable on the Switch 2. No details further were shared about this, but it means that you are free to renew your subscription worry free. This should also mean digital games will carry over as well.

At the moment we don't know when the Switch 2, or whatever it ends up being named, will release. However, we have had additional indication that it will be announced this financial year. This would mean we are getting information at some point before the end of March, 2025. It would be unthinkable that we couldn't get our hands on the Nintendo Switch successor in time for the festive period 2025.

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