Nintendo provides update on backwards compatibility for Switch 2

that switch 2 Nintendo has confirmed that it will be backward compatible. This key feature has the potential to have a surprising impact on the early adoption rate of the Switch successor.

On November 5, Nintendo released its latest financial report for the first half of the current fiscal year. The Switch 2 was mentioned in a subsequent earnings call, with then-Nintendo president Suntaro Furukawa reiterating his plan to announce the highly anticipated device by March 31, 2025.

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A few more details about the upcoming console were shared during the company's business policy briefing that followed shortly. In particular, Furukawa confirmed that the much-rumored backwards compatibility of the Switch 2 is indeed there. “Switch software will also be playable on the successor to the Nintendo Switch,” the executive said. Furukawa also 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 sequel may not come as a surprise to the most attentive fans. Furukawa has already hinted at such a feature in June 2023, saying that Switch 2 will leverage Nintendo Accounts and aim to provide a “seamless transition” for previous Switch owners.

Confirmation of NSO support reveals Switch 2's official name

Reading between the lines, NSO support could also hint at the name of the upcoming device. Assuming the service doesn't rebrand, Nintendo's next console will likely feature the word “Switch” in its official name. Offering a subscription called “Nintendo Switch Online” on a device with a completely different name may be confusing to consumers. So it's likely that the company will opt for another naming scheme, like the Wii U, that simply expands on the name of the previous device rather than completely abandoning it.

Switch 2 will include thousands of games at launch

Such a name would be in line with Nintendo's stated goal of delivering the “next” Switch, which Furukawa said was the target for May 2024. The same goes for newly confirmed backward compatibility support. Considering the massive Switch game library, which includes over 11,700 titles, this feature will give the upcoming console access to a huge launch lineup. Switch 2's backward compatibility will therefore be a key factor in helping the console generate initial commercial momentum. However, it is still unknown how accurately it will work in practice.

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September 23, 1889

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Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

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