Nintendo Switch 2 plays most Switch 1 games, but not all of them

The Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible with the vast majority of Switch 1 games. This means you can take your existing physical game cartridges or your digital library and play them on the new console. However, a small number of games do not work on Switch 2, either because they rely on hardware features the original Switch had that Switch 2 removed, or because Nintendo has not tested them thoroughly enough to may provide they will run.

Before you buy Switch 2, you should know which of your current games fall into that incompatible group. Nintendo publishes a list of games that do not work, and it is worth checking if you own any of them. The list is relatively short — fewer than 200 games out of thousands — but if one of those games is something you play regularly, you will need to keep your Switch 1 to play it.

Key Takeaways

  • Switch 2 plays the vast majority of Switch 1 games, both physical cartridges and digital purchases, without any changes needed on your part.
  • Nintendo maintains an official list of games that do not work on Switch 2, usually because they depend on the original console's hardware features like the IR camera or NFC reader.
  • Your digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account, so you can read them on Switch 2 as long as you sign in with the same account you used on Switch 1.
  • Physical game cartridges work on Switch 2 without modification, but you should check the official incompatibility list before trading in your Switch 1.

How to check if your games work on Switch 2

Nintendo publishes an official list of games that do not work on Switch 2. You can find this list on Nintendo's support website by searching for "Switch 2 compatible games" or "games that do not work on Switch 2." The list includes the game title, the reason it does not work, and whether there is a workaround.

Go through your game library — both physical and digital — and cross-reference the titles against this list. If you own a game that appears on it, you have a choice: keep your Switch 1 to play that game, or accept that you will not be able to play it on Switch 2. Most players find this is not a major issue because the incompatible games are a small fraction of the total library, but it depends on what you own.

Physical cartridges work on Switch 2 without any setup

If you own physical Switch 1 game cartridges, you can insert them directly into Switch 2 and play them. There is no read, no update, and no special process. The cartridge slot on Switch 2 accepts the same cartridges as Switch 1, so your existing collection transfers over when ready.

This is one of the main reasons to keep physical games rather than buying everything digitally. You own the cartridge, and it works on any Switch console. If you have been buying digital games, you will need to read them again on Switch 2, but you will not have to pay for them a second time — as long as you sign in with the same Nintendo Account.

Digital games transfer through your Nintendo Account

Your digital game library is tied to your Nintendo Account, not to your Switch 1 console. When you sign into Switch 2 with the same account, you can read any game you previously purchased. You will not see the games automatically appear on your home screen, but they will be available in the Nintendo eShop under "Your Library" or "Redownloadable Software."

Set up your primary console carefully. If you set Switch 2 as your primary console for your account, anyone who uses that Switch 2 can play your digital games. If you set Switch 1 as your primary console, only your account can play those games on Switch 1, but you can still play them on Switch 2 by signing in with your account. This matters if you share your console with family members or if you own multiple Switches.

Games that do not work usually depend on removed hardware

Most games that do not work on Switch 2 rely on features that the original Switch had but Switch 2 removed. The most common reason is the IR camera, which was built into the right Joy-Con on Switch 1. Some games used this camera to detect hand gestures or to read cards and objects. Switch 2 does not have an IR camera, so those games cannot function the way they were designed.

Another reason is the NFC reader, which allowed Switch 1 to read amiibo figures and certain cards. Switch 2 still has NFC capability, but some older games were coded in a way that does not work with the new hardware. A smaller number of games have issues with the way Switch 2 handles motion controls or with specific software bugs that Nintendo has not patched.

Nintendo has tested thousands of games to build the incompatibility list, but the testing is not exhaustive. A game might work on Switch 2 even if it is not officially listed as compatible, or it might have minor glitches. If you own a game that is not on the official list and you want to know for certain, the safest approach is to check Nintendo's support site or contact Nintendo support directly.

What to do if you own an incompatible game

If you find that one of your games does not work on Switch 2, you have three options. First, you can keep your Switch 1 and continue playing that game on the original console. This is the most straightforward choice if you do not plan to sell or trade in your Switch 1.

Second, you can check whether the game has been re-released or updated. Some developers have released new versions of their games that work on Switch 2, or they may have released the game on other platforms like PlayStation or PC. Third, you can accept that you will not play that game anymore. For most players, this is a minor loss because the incompatible games are niche titles or older releases that they no longer play regularly.

Transferring your entire game library to Switch 2

If you want to move completely from Switch 1 to Switch 2, the process is straightforward for digital games but requires planning for physical games. Sign into Switch 2 with your Nintendo Account, and your digital library will be available to read. For physical games, straightforward insert each cartridge into Switch 2 and play — there is no transfer process because the cartridges are not tied to any console.

The only complication is if you have games that are incompatible with Switch 2. In that case, you will need to decide whether to keep Switch 1 for those titles or let them go. Nintendo does not offer a trade-in program or refund for incompatible games, so there is no financial recovery if you own something that does not work on the new console.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Switch 1 games on Switch 2 without buying them again?

Yes. Physical cartridges work on Switch 2 without any purchase or read. Digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account, so you can read them on Switch 2 for free as long as you sign in with the same account you used on Switch 1.

Do I need to do anything special to play my old games on Switch 2?

No. For physical cartridges, insert them and play. For digital games, sign into your account and read them from the eShop. There are no patches, updates, or special setup steps required for the vast majority of games.

What happens to my game saves when I move to Switch 2?

Game saves are stored in the cloud for most games if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Sign into Switch 2 with the same account, and your saves will read automatically. For games that do not support cloud saves, you will need to start over, but this affects only a small number of titles.

If a game is on the incompatibility list, will it ever work on Switch 2?

Possibly. Nintendo occasionally updates the list as developers release patches or as Nintendo finds workarounds. Check the official list periodically if you own an incompatible game. Some games may move from incompatible to compatible if the developer releases an update.

Can I sell my Switch 1 games if I move to Switch 2?

Yes, you can sell physical cartridges. Digital games cannot be sold or transferred — they are tied to your account permanently. If you have a large digital library, you will lose access to those games if you sell your account, which is why many players prefer physical cartridges for games they might want to resell later.