Most Switch games will play on Switch 2, but not all of them

Nintendo has confirmed that the vast majority of Nintendo Switch games will work on Switch 2. The company tested thousands of titles before launch and found that around 99 percent of the existing Switch library is compatible. However, a small number of games — roughly 1 percent — will not run on the new console, either because they rely on hardware features the Switch 2 doesn't have or because the developer chose not to support it.

If you own physical game cartridges, you can insert them into the Switch 2 and play them the same way you would on the original Switch. If you own digital games through the Nintendo eShop, they will appear in your library on Switch 2 once you link your Nintendo Account — you don't need to buy them again. The catch is knowing which games fall into that 1 percent before you buy a new console or invest in more titles.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical Switch game cartridges work in the Switch 2 cartridge slot, and digital games transfer to your new console when you sign in with your Nintendo Account.
  • Approximately 1 percent of Switch games are not compatible with Switch 2, usually because they use features like the original console's detachable controllers or IR camera in ways the new hardware cannot replicate.
  • Nintendo publishes an official compatibility list on its website that you can search by game title before buying Switch 2 or new games.
  • Games that use the Switch's built-in motion controls, HD Rumble, or standard buttons work fine on Switch 2 without any changes.

Why some games don't work on Switch 2

The Switch 2 is more powerful than the original Switch, but it is not backward compatible with every single feature. The most common reason a game won't run is that it depends on the original Switch's detachable Joy-Con controllers in a specific way. Some games require you to remove the controllers and use them separately, or they rely on the IR (infrared) camera built into the right Joy-Con, which the Switch 2 does not have.

Games like 1-2-Switch, which is built around motion controls and the IR camera, and Ring Fit Adventure, which uses the Ring-Con accessory designed for the original Switch, fall into this category. A few games also use the original Switch's kickstand or dock in ways that don't translate to the new console's design. In rare cases, a developer simply chose not to update their game for the new hardware.

Nintendo has not removed these games from the eShop, but they will not run if you try to play them on Switch 2. The company recommends keeping your original Switch if you own titles that depend on these specific features.

How to check if your games are compatible

Nintendo maintains an official compatibility list on its website that you can search by game title. Go to Nintendo's Switch 2 support page and look for the compatibility checker. Type in the name of any game you own or are thinking about buying, and it will tell you whether that title works on Switch 2.

If you own a large library, you don't need to check every single game one by one. Nintendo's system will also show you a list of all your games and their compatibility status if you sign in with your Nintendo Account. This is the fastest way to see at a glance which titles won't transfer.

The list is updated regularly as developers patch games or add Switch 2 support, so it's worth checking again closer to when you plan to buy the new console. Some games that were initially incompatible may become compatible through updates.

Physical cartridges versus digital games

Physical game cartridges are region-free, meaning a cartridge purchased anywhere in the world will work in any Switch 2 console. You simply insert the cartridge into the slot on the bottom of the console and start playing. There's no registration or download required.

Digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account, not to a specific console. When you buy a game through the eShop on your original Switch, it's stored in your account. Sign into that same account on Switch 2, and the game appears in your library ready to play. You won't be charged again, and you don't need to re-download it if you've already purchased it.

If you share your Switch with family members who have their own accounts, those accounts will need to re-link to Switch 2 to see their games. Games purchased on one account do not automatically appear for other accounts on the same console, though the primary account holder can set up sharing so others can play their library.

What happens to your save files

Save files for compatible games can transfer from your original Switch to Switch 2. Nintendo Cloud Save, the company's backup service, automatically uploads your progress for most games. When you sign into your account on Switch 2, those saves download and you can pick up where you left off.

Not every game supports Cloud Save — some older titles or games that use local save data only will require you to manually transfer saves using a different method. Nintendo provides tools to move save data between consoles, but the process varies depending on the game. Check the game's manual or Nintendo's support site for specific instructions if Cloud Save isn't available.

Games that are not compatible with Switch 2 will not transfer their save files, since you won't be able to play them on the new console anyway. Your saves remain on your original Switch if you want to continue playing those titles there.

Games that definitely won't work

Nintendo has published a list of games confirmed to be incompatible with Switch 2. Some of the most well-known titles include 1-2-Switch, Ring Fit Adventure, Just Dance 2023 and earlier versions, Fitness Boxing, and Nintendo Switch Sports. These games either rely on accessories, motion controls, or hardware features that don't exist on Switch 2.

A smaller group of games may have compatibility issues that are game-specific rather than hardware-related. For example, some games might run but with reduced performance, or they might have minor glitches that the developer hasn't patched. Nintendo's official list distinguishes between games that won't run at all and games that run with known issues.

If you own any of these titles and want to keep playing them, you'll need to keep your original Switch. Nintendo has not announced plans to re-release these games in Switch 2-compatible versions, though that could change in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy my games again for Switch 2?

No. Physical cartridges work directly in Switch 2, and digital games transfer to your account automatically. You pay once and own the game across both consoles as long as you're signed into your Nintendo Account.

What if I buy a used Switch game — will it work on Switch 2?

If it's a physical cartridge and the game is compatible, yes. Used cartridges work the same way as new ones. If it's a digital game tied to someone else's account, you won't be able to play it on Switch 2 unless that person gives you access to their account, which violates Nintendo's terms of service.

Can I play Switch 2 games on my original Switch?

No. Switch 2 games are designed for the new hardware and will not run on the original Switch. The cartridges are physically different, so they won't fit in the original console's slot.

Will my game performance improve on Switch 2?

Compatible games may run faster or at higher resolution on Switch 2 because the hardware is more powerful, but this depends on whether the developer optimized the game for the new console. Some games will run exactly as they did on the original Switch. Nintendo's compatibility list notes when a game has been enhanced for Switch 2.

What if a game is on the incompatible list but I really want to play it?

You'll need to keep your original Switch to play incompatible games. Nintendo has not announced plans to make these titles work on Switch 2, so your original console remains the only way to access them.