The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, but many will be wondering whether they can straight up replace their trusty old Switch console with the successor, or whether they'll need to hold onto the first hybrid console to play their old games.
In this guide, we'll be covering the Nintendo Switch 2's backwards compatibility, with full lists of all Switch games with issues on Switch 2 as things currently stand. We'll also look at whether Nintendo Switch Online is available on the system, and how to play older games on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility - Can it play Switch 1 games?
Yes, it can, but not all of them!
Barring some exceptions, which we'll cover below, you'll be able to play both physical and digital Switch 1 games on the new console. That's a relief, right?
The Switch 2 will be able to take and read Switch 1 cartridges, but you'll also be able to transfer your digital library of games over from your old Switch. Our guide on How To Move All Games, Saves, Profiles From Switch 1 will prep you for launch day save transferring.
But not all Switch 1 games will be playable on Switch 2, and we've listed all of these below as per Nintendo's website.
Switch 1 Games with Start-Up & Progression Issues on Switch 2
Here we have a list of games that Nintendo reports have start-up issues, meaning the games aren't currently booting up on the Switch 2 or issues where you cannot progress the game.
You can also check this list out on Nintendo's own site. Note. This list is up to date as of 3rd September 2025.
- 3 out of 10: Season One (added 05/06)
- A Boy and His Blob Retro Collection
- A Long Way Down
- A Time Traveller's Guide To Past Delicacies (added 27/05)
- Aeon Must Die! (added 05/06)
- Aeterna Noctis (added 05/06)
- Afterdream (added 05/06)
- Aidan in Danger (added 05/06)
- Amanda the Adventurer )added (05/06)
- Arcade Party (added 05/06)
- Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute
- Astral Flux
- Bacon Man: an Adventure (added 05/06)
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection (added 05/06)
- Bloodshore (added 05/06)
- Boot Hill Heroes
- Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition
- Botany Manor
- Chicken Madness (added 05/06)
- Chronicles of 2 Heroes: Amaterasu's Wish (added 27/05)
- Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition (added 05/06)
- Clock Tower: Rewind (added 27/05) (LRG has confirmed this will get getting Switch 2-exclusive features too)
- Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy (added 05/06)
- Crypt of the NecroDancer: Nintendo Switch Edition (added 05/06) (Only affects US and Europe physical edition)
- Dark Nights with Poe and Munro (added 05/06)
- DC Universe Online (added 05/06)
- Dragon's Lair Trilogy (added 05/06)
- Dreamwalker
- Dust: An Elysian Tail
- Escape from Chernobyl (added 05/06)
- fig. (added 27/05)
- Flan (added 27/05)
- Forgotten Memories (added 05/06)
- Gang Beasts
- Gelly Break Deluxe (added 05/06)
- Grid Autosport
- Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R (added 05/06)
- Happy Hotel
- Highrise Heroes: World Challenge (added 05/06)
- Hitman 3 - Cloud Version
- House Builder (added 27/05)
- In My Shadow (added 27/05)
- Inferno 2
- INSTANT Chef Party (added 05/06)
- Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
- KarmaZoo (added 05/06)
- KILL la KILL - IF
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (added 05/06)
- Laboratory Rat Escape Simulator Pro (added 27/05)
- Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society (added 27/05)
- Layer Section™ & Galactic Attack™ S Tribute (added 05/06)
- Library of Ruina
- Malignant Survivors (added 27/05)
- Manticore - Galaxy on Fire
- Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (added 05/06)
- Mega Mall Story 2 (added 27/05)
- Meganoid (added 05/06)
- Megaton Rainfall (added 05/06)
- Mia and me - Magic Friends (added 05/06)
- Minigolf Adventure (added 05/06)
- Model Debut 3 #Nicola
- Mortal Kombat 1 (added 05/06)
- My Memory of Us (added 05/06)
- Nascar Rivals
- Nekopara Vol. 1
- Nekopara Vol.2 (added 27/05)
- Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition
- NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition (added 27/05)
- Ninja Five-O (added 05/06)
- Ninjala (added 05/06)
- Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
- OK K.O.! Let's Play Heroes
- Otto (added 05/06)
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Overdriven Reloaded: Special Edition (added 05/06)
- Overwatch 2 (added 05/06)
- Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
- Quell Memento (added 05/06)
- Quell Zen (added 05/06)
- Quick Race (added 05/06)
- Radiation City (added 05/06)
- Raiden III X Mikado Maniax
- Raiden IVxMIKADO Remix
- Remothered: Tormented Fathers (added 27/05)
- Retro Classix 2in1 pack: Bad Dudes & Two Crude Dudes (added 05/06)
- RICO (added 05/06)
- RiffTrax: The Game (added 05/06)
- River City Girls Zero
- Roller Champions
- Root Double Before Crime * After Days - Xtend Edition (added 05/06)
- Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited
- Secret Neighbor (added 05/06)
- Skies Above (added 05/06)
- smileBASIC4
- Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl - Gold (added 05/06)
- Soul Dog TD
- South of the Circle
- South Park: The Fractured but Whole
- Star Wars: Republic Commando
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
- Stranded Sails - Explorers of the Cursed Islands
- Strania -The Stella Machina- EX
- Stumble Guys
- Super Mega Baseball 4 (added 05/06)
- The Final Station (added 05/06)
- The Mean Greens - Plastic Warfare (added 05/06)
- The Wild Case (added 05/06)
- They Bleed Pixels (added 05/06)
- This War of Mine: Complete Edition (added 05/06)
- Timespinner (added 05/06)
- Tiny Lands (added 05/06)
- Tokyo Xanadu eX+
- Tomba! Special Edition (added 05/06)
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (added 05/06)
- Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded (added 05/06)
- Touhou Gouyoku Ibun ～ Sunken Fossil World
- Trenga Unlimited (added 05/06)
- Trip World DX
- Trove
- Trover Saves the Universe
- TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge
- Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD (added 05/06)
- Uncle Chop's Rocket Shop (added 05/06)
- Warface: Clutch
- Warframe
- Warp Shift
- Warriors: Abys (added 05/06)
- What the Dub?! (added 27/05)
- Where the Bees Make Honey (added 27/05)
- Wild Seas (added 05/06)
- Wildfire (added 05/06)
- Wolfenstein II: the New Colossus
- WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship (added 05/06)
- WRC 9 The Official Game (added 27/05)
- Yomawari: Lost in the Dark (added 05/06)
- YouTube (added 27/05)
- ZikSquare (added 05/06)
Switch 1 games with Compatibility Issues on Switch 2
Now, here's another big one, here is a list of games that currently have been marked by Nintendo as having in-game issues. That means you can start up the game, but problems may emerge while playing them on the new console.
Reminder that this list is subject to change as Nintendo potentially resolves any compatibility issues or more problems are discovered. Note. This list is up to date as of 3rd September 2025.
- Alan Wake Remastered
- Alien: Isolation
- Arcade Archives Ordyne
- Arcade Archives PHELIOS
- Arcade Archives Tetris The Absolute The Grand Master 2 Plus
- Arcade Archives Tetris The Grand Master
- Asphalt Legends Unite
- Beyond Enemy Lines Remastered Edition
- Dadish
- Dex
- Dust: An Elysian Tail
- Elderand
- Factorio
- Fall Guys
- Family Chess
- Games Advent Calendar - 25 Days - 25 Surprises
- Godlike Burger
- Harvestella
- Hitman 3 - Cloud Version
- Hot Wheels Unleashed
- Just Dance 2019
- Klondike Solitaire
- Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
- Matchpoint - Tennis Championships
- Mega Man Legacy Collection
- MotoGP 21
- My Brother Rabbit
- Neptunia X SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars
- Noir Chronicles: City of Crime
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Pilot Sports
- Pocoyo Party
- Raiden IVxMIKADO remix
- Real Car Driving Simulator & Parking 2022 Games
- S.N.I.P.E.R. Hunter Scope
- Saints Row IV: Re-Elected
- smileBASIC 4
- Steven Universe: Save The Light
- Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
- Stumble Guys
- Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
- うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪All Star for Nintendo Switch
- うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Amazing Aria & Sweet Serenade LOVE for Nintendo Switch
- うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Debut for Nintendo Switch
- うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Repeat LOVE for Nintendo Switch
- ニコニコ
- ぷるきゃらフレンズ～ほっぺちゃんとサンリオキャラク タ ズ～
- 時計仕掛けのレイライン 陽炎に彷徨う魔女
Switch 1 games that can't be played on Switch 2
Nintendo only lists one game that "cannot be played" on Nintendo Switch 2:
However, the wording is a little unclear - "The Nintendo Switch 2 console cannot be inserted into the Toy-Con VR Goggles accessory, so this game cannot be played."
Essentially, it seems like the only issue is that the console doesn't fit into the Toy-Con VR Goggles and not that the software is incompatible. Really, it's more likely that games with VR modes on the Switch 1 simply won't be playable on Switch 2. We'll obviously update this guide when we know more.
A handful of apps will also be incompatible with the Switch 2, which we've listed below:
- Niconico
- ABEMA
- Hulu
- Crunchyroll
- InkyPen
Switch 1 games that can't be played with Joy-Con 2
Along with compatibility issues, there are also some Switch 1 games that will work on Switch 2, but only with the Joy-Con from the Switch 1.
The list is relatively short, and almost all of them require the original Joy-Con IR sensors:
| Switch 1 Game | Reason you need Switch 1 Joy-Con |
|---|---|
| 1-2-Switch | Some minigames require IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
| Everybody 1-2-Switch! | Force feedback vibrations are reduced in Joy-Con 2, making joy-Con Hide & Seek harder |
| Game Builder Garage | Free Programming mode requires IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit | Joy-Con 2 do not fit in any of the Toy Con accessories. RC Car Toy-Con antenna cannot be attached to Switch 2 console |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit | Joy-Con 2 do not fit in Toy-Con Robot accessory |
| Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit | Switch 2 doesn't fit in screen stand but Joy-Con 1 work with accessories, so the experience will be different |
| Nintendo Switch Sports | The Joy-Con 2 does not fit in the leg strap |
| Ring Fit Adventure | The Joy-Con 2 does not fit in the Ring-Con |
| WarioWare: Move It! | Some microgames require the IR Motion Camera, which is not part of the Joy-Con 2 |
Switch 1 games with fixes for Switch 2
Nintendo has been working to resolve backwards compatibility issues in the run up to the console's release, and a number of games now have patches or fixes to allow them to run on the new console.
We've listed all of the games that are fixed below — note that these will need a patch to work on the Switch 2. Note. This list is up to date as of 3rd September 2025.
- 112 Operator
- Abyss Memory Fallen Angel and the Path of Magic
- ACA Neogeo Art of Fighting 2
- ACA Neogeo Samurai Shodown II
- ACA Neogeo the King of Fighters '95
- ACA Neogeo the King of Fighters '96
- Airhead
- Alchemy Garden
- Another Crab's Treasure
- Arcade Archives Assault
- Arcade Archives Burger Time
- Arcade Archives Assault
- Arcade Archives Crime City
- Arcade Archives Dig Dug
- Arcade Archives Dragon Saber
- Arcade Archives Dragon Spirit
- Arcade Archives Empire City: 1931
- Arcade Archives Flipull
- Arcade Archives Galaxian
- Arcade Archives Gradius III
- Arcade Archives New Rally-X
- Arcade Archives Metrocross
- Arcade Archives Pac-Land
- Arcade Archives QIX
- Arcade Archives Roller Jammer
- Arcade Archives Rolling Thunder
- Arcade Archives Rompers
- Arcade Archives Space Seeker
- Arcade Archives The Genji and Heike Clans
- Arcade Archives The Tower of Druaga
- Arcade Archives Xevious
- Baron: Fur Is Gonna Fly
- Baseball Club
- Batman: The Enemy Within
- Beat ‘Em Up Collection (QUByte Classics)
- Beyond the Ice Palace II
- Boot Hill Bounties
- Bright Memory: Infinite Gold Edition
- Bus Simulator 2023: City Driver
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Car Detailing Simulator
- Cats Hidden in Italy
- Crazy Strike Bowling EX
- Dadish 2
- Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani
- Darksiders Genesis
- Dead by Daylight
- Death Coming
- Doom: Eternal
- Eggy Party
- Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
- Everspace
- Everdream Valley Untold Tales
- Everyday♪ Today's MENU for EMIYA Family
- Fables Mosaic: Snow White
- Felix the Cat
- Final Fantasy
- Fitness Boxing
- Floor Kids
- Fortnite (received Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
- Framed Collection
- Gal Guardians: Demon Purge
- Games Advent Calendar - 25 Days - 25 Surprises
- Gas Guzzlers Extreme
- Genso Manège
- Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Owltimate Edition
- Go Vacation
- Guns, Gore and Cannoli
- I Got Isekai'd into a Shmup
- Island Flight Simulator
- Kero Blaster
- Killing Time: Resurrected
- Korean Drone Flying Tour Jeju Island-1
- Kosmokrats
- Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires Conspiracy - Deluxe Edition
- LIMBO
- Little Nightmares Complete Edition
- Melty Blood: Type Lumina
- Mexican Train Dominoes Gold
- Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Videogame
- Monster Loves You Too!
- MotoGP 22
- MotoGP 23
- Musynx
- NBA 2K25
- NBA 2K18
- Nelly Cootalot: The Fowl Fleet
- Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon
- Nintendo Switch Sports
- Nobody Saves the World
- Noir Chronicles: City of Crime
- Norn9: Var Commons
- Nova-111
- OMG Police - Car Chase TV Simulator
- Onigo Hunter
- Palia
- Parents Vs. Kid
- Perseverance: Complete Edition
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe Edition
- Pineview Drive
- Pizza Tower
- Process of Elimination
- Redemption Reapers
- Retro Classix 4in1 Pack: Sly Spy, Shootout, Wizard Fire & Super Real Darwin
- Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles
- RiMS Racing
- Rocket League
- Senran Kagura Reflexions
- Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-a-fide Edition
- Slayin 2
- Star Wars Episode I: Racer
- Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster
- Steven Universe: Save the Light
- Summer Pockets
- Super Mega Baseball 3
- Super Neptunia RPG
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival
- Taito Milestones
- The Jackbox Party Pack
- The Jackbox Party Pack 2
- The Journey Down Trilogy
- The Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition
- Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft
- Touhou Artificial Dream in Arcadia
- Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
- Trials Rising Standard Edition
- Tricky Towers
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]
- Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi
- Victor Vran Overkill Edition
- V-Rally 4
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- WolfFang 空牙2001 SkullFang 空牙外伝 Saturn Tribute Boosted
- World of Tanks Blitz
- Xtreme Sports
Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility FAQs
Need to know more about backwards compatibility, including how to play games not available on the system? Here are some frequently asked questions on the matter.
So, do all other Switch 1 games work on Switch 2?
Yep! As long as your game isn't listed above, it should run on the Switch 2, no problems.
Over on the official Nintendo Switch 2 website, you'll see a rather fetching graphic with box art for multiple Switch games that are (likely) playable on the successor. These are all big first-party titles, so there's no threat that you won't be able to play Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Splatoon 3, or Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
Of course, some Switch 1 games are getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition or a free performance upgrade for the new console. If you're curious about those titles, then have a look at our complete guide on Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games & Free Performance Updates.