Nintendo offers update on Switch 2, backwards compatibility

Key foods

Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible.
The upcoming console will also support Nintendo Switch Online.
NSO support suggests that the device may still have the word “Switch” in its official name, assuming Nintendo doesn't plan to change the name of the service.

this Switch 2 Nintendo has confirmed that it will be backwards compatible. This key feature has the potential to do wonders for the early adoption of the Switch successor.

On November 5, Nintendo released its latest financial report for the first half of its current fiscal year. The Switch 2 was mentioned during a subsequent earnings call, when Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa reiterated a plan to introduce the expected device by March 31, 2025.

Mario Kart Princess Peach co-op 2x1 composite OLED switch

Nintendo Switch 2 could have a great Co-Op QoL feature

It looks like Nintendo is working on some useful technology that could help the Switch 2 deliver a significantly improved experience.

A few more details about the upcoming console were shared at the company's corporate governance policy briefing. Specifically, Furukawa confirmed that the much-rumored Switch 2 compatibility is real. The executive said: “Switch software will also be playable on the Nintendo Switch successor. Additionally, Furukawa revealed that the upcoming console will feature Nintendo Switch Online, making it the company's second system to support the subscription service.

Confirmation of NSO support and backward compatibility for the Switch successor may not come as much of a surprise to fans. Furukawa previously hinted at these capabilities in June 2023, when he said the Switch 2 would use Nintendo Accounts and aimed to provide a “smooth transition” for owners of the previous version.

NSO support confirmation may refer to Switch 2's official name

Reading between the lines, NSO support may even hint at the name of the upcoming device. Assuming the service doesn't change its name, Nintendo's next console will likely include the word “Switch” in its official name, as offering a subscription called “Nintendo Switch Online” on a device with a completely different name is something a subset of consumers might want. be confusing Therefore, it's possible that the company will opt for another naming scheme like the Wii U, which simply expands on the previous device's name rather than ditching it entirely.

The Switch 2 will have thousands of games at launch

Such a name is in line with Nintendo's stated goal of delivering the “next” Switch, which Furukawa said was aiming for May 2024. With the Switch's massive library of games spanning over 11,700 titles, this feature ensures that the upcoming console has access to a gigantic launch pad. As such, Switch 2 compatibility will likely be a key factor in helping the console build initial commercial momentum. But how exactly it will work in practice remains to be seen.