The Switch had an eight-year run, meaning there is an extensive catalog of games that players will want to still boot up on the Nintendo Switch 2. Here is everything you need to know about the system’s backward compatibility and how Upgrade Packs work.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has an exciting slate of launch titles, including Mario Kart World and Deltarune. In addition, the system is home to highly anticipated console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
However, can you play Switch games on the Nintendo Switch 2?
Is The Nintendo Switch 2 Backwards Compatible?
The Nintendo Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital Switch titles. Due to different system hardware, some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or are not fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2.
All Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs
In addition to there being 122 compatible first-party and over 15,000 Switch games on the Nintendo Switch 2, some Nintendo Switch games have received Upgrade Packs that utilize the new hardware, offering visual improvements and additional features exclusive to the Switch 2.
All Upgrade Packs are different and, therefore, also have different prices. For example, Kirby and the Forgotten Land’s Upgrade Pack costs $19.99, while The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom only goes for $9.99 because it has less new content.
Here are all of the Upgrade Packs and what they include.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
- New modes that use mouse controls, microphone, and camera.
- Players appear within the game via CameraPlay.
- GameShare compatibility for local multiplayer.
- Visually enhanced with improved frame rate.
- WQHD 1440 resolution in TV mode and Full HD 1080p in tabletop.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Support for the ZELDA NOTES game-specific service via Nintendo Switch App.
- Improved frame rates and resolution.
- Faster load times.
- HDR support.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Support for the ZELDA NOTES game-specific service via Nintendo Switch App.
- Improved frame rates and resolution.
- Faster load times.
- HDR support.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- A new story: Star-Crossed World.
- Visually enhanced with improved frame rate.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
- Improved performance with higher frame rate and resolution.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- Support for mouse controls using Joy-Con™ 2 controllers.
- Enhanced resolution, textures, and load times.
- Choose from two display modes:
- Quality Mode runs at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution in TV mode and 1080p while in handheld mode.
- Performance Mode runs at 120 frames per second in 1080p resolution in TV mode/720p in handheld mode.
- Both display modes feature HDR support.
For a complete list of games that have compatibility issues on the Switch 2, check out the Nintendo website.
In other gaming news, Apple purchased its first video game studio, Hideo Kojima is confirmed to appear during Summer Game Fest, and Rematch announced Ronaldinho as the game’s ambassador.
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