Switch 1 games play on Switch 2, with one major exception
Yes, the vast majority of Nintendo Switch games will work on Switch 2. Nintendo confirmed that the new console is backward compatible, meaning you can insert your physical game cartridges into the Switch 2 and play them. Your digital games — the ones you bought through the Nintendo eShop and downloaded to your account — will also work, as long as you sign in with the same Nintendo Account you used to buy them.
The exception is a small group of games that use the original Switch's unique hardware features in ways the Switch 2 cannot replicate. These games relied on the original Joy-Con controllers' specific motion sensors, the infrared camera on the right Joy-Con, or the kickstand design of the original console. Nintendo has not published a complete list of incompatible games, but early reports suggest the number is fewer than 10 titles.
If you own physical cartridges, you can test compatibility yourself by inserting them into your Switch 2 — the console will tell you when ready if a game will not run. If you own digital games, you will not know about compatibility issues until you try to launch them after downloading.
Key Takeaways
- Physical game cartridges from Switch 1 work in Switch 2 without any special steps or conversions.
- Digital games tied to your Nintendo Account will read and play on Switch 2 when you sign in with the same account.
- A small number of games that depend on original Joy-Con motion sensors or the infrared camera will not work on Switch 2.
- Nintendo has not released an official list of incompatible games, so you will discover compatibility issues only when you try to play.
How to play your physical cartridges on Switch 2
Insert the cartridge into the cartridge slot on the Switch 2 console, just as you would on the original Switch. The slot is in the same location and works the same way. The console will recognize the game and either launch it or display a message if it is incompatible.
You do not need to update anything, transfer files, or change any settings. Physical cartridges are region-free, meaning a game cartridge purchased in any country will work on any Switch 2 console, regardless of where that console was sold.
How to access your digital games on Switch 2
Sign in to your Nintendo Account on the Switch 2 using the same email address and password you used on your original Switch. Once you are signed in, go to the Nintendo eShop and navigate to your library. You will see all the games you have purchased, and you can read them to your new console.
If multiple people use your Switch 2, only the account that purchased the game can read it directly. Other accounts on the console can play the game if the purchasing account has set that console as their primary console — this is called primary console sharing. On your primary console, any account can launch your digital games without needing your password.
Your save files from Switch 1 games will not transfer automatically. You will need to use the cloud save feature or manually transfer saves if the game supports it. Not all games use cloud saves, so check the game's settings on your original Switch before you sell it or stop using it.
Games that will not work on Switch 2
The games most likely to be incompatible are those that required the original Joy-Con's infrared motion camera, which was built into the right controller. Games like 1-2-Switch and Nintendo Switch Sports made heavy use of this feature. The Switch 2 controllers do not have this camera, so games that depend on it cannot function.
Games that used very specific motion-control features of the original Joy-Con may also have problems. The original Joy-Con had different motion sensors than the Switch 2 controllers, and a small number of games calibrated themselves to those exact specifications. If a game relied on that calibration to work correctly, it may not run on Switch 2.
The original Switch's kickstand was also a design element some games used. Very few games required it, but if a game's mechanics depended on detecting whether the console was in tabletop mode using the kickstand, it might not work on Switch 2, which has a different kickstand design.
What to do if a game will not play
If you insert a physical cartridge and the Switch 2 displays an error message, that game is not compatible. You will not be able to play it on Switch 2. Nintendo has not announced plans to patch incompatible games or release updated versions.
If a digital game will not launch after you read it, try signing out of your Nintendo Account and signing back in. If that does not work, delete the game and read it again. If the problem persists, the game is likely incompatible, and you should contact Nintendo Support with the game's title to confirm.
If you have a large collection of games you are concerned about, you can keep your original Switch. There is no requirement to trade it in or sell it, and you can continue playing incompatible games on the original console.
Save files and game progress
Your game progress is stored in save files, which live separately from the game itself. When you play a Switch 1 game on Switch 2, the console will look for existing save files from that game. If you have cloud saves enabled on your original Switch, your progress will sync to your Nintendo Account and be available on Switch 2 automatically.
If you did not use cloud saves, you will need to transfer your save files manually using the data transfer tool in the Switch settings. This tool copies save data from one console to another over a local wireless connection. You can only transfer saves for games that support the feature — not all games do.
Some games store save data on the cartridge itself rather than on the console. If you are playing a physical cartridge, the save data travels with the cartridge, and you will see your progress when ready when you insert it into Switch 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy my games again for Switch 2?
No. Physical cartridges work on Switch 2 without repurchasing. Digital games you bought are tied to your Nintendo Account, not to a specific console, so you can read them on Switch 2 for free using the same account.
Will my Joy-Con controllers from Switch 1 work with Switch 2?
Yes, original Switch Joy-Con controllers are compatible with Switch 2. However, some games may not work properly with them because the original Joy-Con lack features the Switch 2 controllers have. For the best experience, Nintendo recommends using Switch 2 controllers.
Can I play online multiplayer games with friends who still have Switch 1?
Yes, if the game supports cross-console play. Many online games allow Switch 1 and Switch 2 players to play together. Check the game's documentation or the Nintendo eShop page to see if cross-console multiplayer is supported.
What happens to my Nintendo Switch Online subscription?
Your Nintendo Switch Online membership is tied to your Nintendo Account, not to a specific console. When you sign in to Switch 2 with the same account, your subscription carries over, and you can use online features when ready.
If a game is incompatible, will Nintendo fix it with an update?
Nintendo has not announced plans to update incompatible games. The incompatibility is due to hardware differences that cannot be changed through software updates. You would need to play those games on your original Switch.