We’ve known for a while that most Nintendo Switch games would be compatible on Nintendo Switch 2—a point that was reiterated during the 4.2.25 Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. But, now Nintendo has expanded the full view of how Nintendo Switch games will work on the new system.
New horizons with Nintendo Switch 2 game upgrades
“Broadly speaking, there are three ways,” according to Nintendo. In addition to simply popping in a game cartridge or playing a digital backward-compatible game, select titles will also feature an Upgrade Pack to enhance the original game to its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. There will also be Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles available for purchase outright for those that do have the original release.
The upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 Edition versions of selected games feature different new additions. Most provide visual and performance enhancements, and others go a step further with new gameplay features.
Upgrade Packs will be available for purchase the same way traditional games are: either digitally via the Nintendo eShop or My Nintendo Store, or you can pick up digital codes at a retailer and redeem it on the Nintendo eShop. The prices of these seem to range from $10 to $20 depending on the extent of the upgrade.
Select games such as Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom feature Upgrade Packs as an added perk for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers at no additional cost to the user.
There is but another way
Tucked away in the little “Performance” box on the official Features page of the Nintendo Switch 2 website, Nintendo gives a pretty matter-of-factly description of the upgrades the new system has over its predecessor, such as its ability to provide superior visuals, smoother frame rates and faster loading times. But, one particular line is rather curious:
In addition to Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, select Nintendo Switch games may also take advantage of the system’s new capabilities* to bring benefits like improved graphics and faster loading times. (* = Performance improvements vary depending on software.)
Another page on Nintendo’s website shows off a list containing a handful of first-party titles that will be updated to support such enhancements.
You may recognize the similarity to how some backward-compatible games have received patches on Xbox Series consoles and PS5 that allow them to run better; the same was true for Xbox One X and PS4 Pro.
While this isn’t the first time Nintendo has offered backward compatibility, it’s never gone this far with providing enhancements to previously-released titles; upgraded editions or patches. It will be interesting to see how many games take advantage of Switch 2’s added power.
Nintendo has a handy guide on what games currently are not compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, or at least exhibit some issues. It has also confirmed that the original Joy-Con from the Nintendo Switch will be usable on the new system.
You can view the full Switch to Switch 2 transfer guide here.
Check out more about the Nintendo Switch 2:
Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5 for $449, pre-orders going live 4/9 | Nintendo Switch 2 supports HDR, 120fps and 4K output
