On Tuesday night, Nintendo released official information about what’s being dubbed the “Nintendo Switch 2,” although it was not an official reveal.
According to Nintendo’s corporate X (formerly Twitter) account, posted late last evening, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have backward compatibility. The news was initially reported in Nintendo’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing and later confirmed in a post by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa. The post also highlighted the successor console’s Nintendo Switch Online capabilities in addition to the promised backward compatibility.
It’s worth noting that this was all Nintendo shared, with no mention of accessories or Joy-Con controllers from the original Switch being backward compatible. The official Nintendo X post can be seen below.
It’s also worth noting that the post doesn’t explicitly mention physical Nintendo Switch game cards as backward compatible. Although it lists Nintendo Switch games as compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, this compatibility could be digital only. Previous reports, rumours and leaks about the upcoming console have suggested it will have a card slot and magnetic detachable controllers similar to the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers. As of yesterday’s post, nothing else has been confirmed.
The end of the X post states, “Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date,” so additional compatibility with the previous console has not been ruled out for the Nintendo Switch 2. So far, previous leaks have suggested the console will use magnetic technology for detachable controllers, speculated release dates, Gorilla Glass patents, and hints from Nintendo about delaying the launch to deter scalpers. However, all Nintendo has confirmed so far is that the console will have backward compatibility.
For further information, fans will need to remain patient until Nintendo releases more details about its next console.
