Nintendo Switch 2 Will Reportedly Feature Backwards Compatibility

The upcoming Nintendo Switch successor, referred to as the Switch 2, is rumored to include backward compatibility, according to the latest reports.

Industry insider Nate the Hate has revealed through his sources that the Switch 2 will support backward compatibility. He shared this insight following news that Hosiden, a key assembler for Nintendo, invested 2 billion Yen in production equipment and 1 billion Yen in automation in March 2025, likely linked to its major client, Nintendo.

Backward compatibility seems like a logical feature for the Nintendo Switch 2, and this isn't the first time it has been mentioned. Previously, Nate the Hate shared on the gaming forum Reset Era that partner developers are already testing this functionality on the new, unannounced hardware. However, the extent of any graphical improvements that may come with backward-compatible games remains unclear. Nate had earlier expressed skepticism regarding substantial performance enhancements for older games, predicting that developers might re-release titles with updates instead of issuing free patches to save costs.

In an October 2023 interview, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser hinted at the likelihood of backward compatibility for the Switch 2. When asked about easing the transition for current Switch owners, Bowser highlighted the importance of the Nintendo Account system. Unlike past consoles that required new account setups, the Nintendo Account is designed to carry over to future platforms, potentially making the transition to the Switch 2 smoother for players and preserving their content investments.