Most Switch games will play on Switch 2, but not all of them
Nintendo confirmed that the vast majority of Nintendo Switch games will work on Switch 2 through backward compatibility. This means you can take your existing game library with you — your cartridges, downloaded games, and save files will function on the new console. However, a small number of games will not work, primarily those that rely on hardware features unique to the original Switch.
The games that won't work are the exception, not the rule. Nintendo has published a list of incompatible titles, and it includes only a few dozen games out of the thousands available. Most of these incompatibilities stem from games that use the original Switch's detachable Joy-Con controllers in ways the Switch 2 cannot replicate, or games built around specific motion-control features that don't translate to the new hardware.
Key Takeaways
- Physical game cartridges from the original Switch work on Switch 2, and you can play them immediately without updates or conversions.
- Digital games you purchased on your Nintendo Account will be playable on Switch 2 once you sign in, though you may need to download them again.
- Save files transfer to Switch 2 through cloud backup or local transfer, so your progress carries over to compatible games.
- Games that use the original Switch's detachable Joy-Con in specific ways — like 1-2-Switch or Ring Fit Adventure — will not work on Switch 2.
- Nintendo publishes an official list of incompatible games, which you can check before purchasing Switch 2 if you own titles you plan to bring forward.
How to play your existing cartridges on Switch 2
If you own physical Switch game cartridges, you can insert them directly into Switch 2 and start playing. There is no conversion step, no download required, and no need to re-purchase the game. The cartridge slot on Switch 2 accepts the same cartridges as the original Switch.
The only limitation is that a very small number of games will not launch at all when you insert them. Nintendo's official incompatibility list names these titles by name, so you can check it before you switch consoles if you want to know whether your collection will transfer cleanly. If you own one of the incompatible games, you will see an error message when you try to launch it, and the game simply will not start.
What happens to your digital games and save files
Digital games you purchased through the Nintendo eShop are tied to your Nintendo Account, not to the original Switch console itself. When you sign into your account on Switch 2, you can re-download any game you own. You do not need to purchase them again, and you do not lose access to them.
Save files can move to Switch 2 through two methods. Cloud backup is the simpler route if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription — your saves upload automatically, and you can download them on Switch 2 by signing in with the same account. If you do not use cloud backup, you can perform a local transfer by connecting both consoles and moving your data directly, though this process takes longer and requires both devices to be present.
Not every game supports cloud backup. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Animal Crossing: New Horizons do not allow cloud saves, so you will need to use local transfer to move your progress. Check the game's page on the Nintendo eShop to see whether cloud backup is supported before you trade in your original Switch.
Games that will not work on Switch 2
The incompatible games fall into two main categories. The first group includes titles that depend on the original Switch's detachable Joy-Con controllers working in a very specific way — games like 1-2-Switch, Nintendo Switch Sports, and Ring Fit Adventure rely on motion controls and physical separation of the controllers that do not function the same way on Switch 2. The second group includes a handful of games with other hardware dependencies that Nintendo has not fully detailed publicly.
Nintendo maintains an official list of incompatible games on its support website. As of the Switch 2 launch, the list includes fewer than 100 titles out of over 6,000 games released for Switch. If you own games you are concerned about, you can search that list by title to confirm whether they will work before you purchase the new console.
Games that are incompatible will not receive patches to make them work on Switch 2. Nintendo's position is that these titles are designed for the original Switch experience, and the company does not plan to modify them for the new hardware. If you want to keep playing an incompatible game, you will need to keep your original Switch.
How to check if your games will work
Nintendo publishes a searchable list of incompatible games on its official support site. You can visit that page and search by game title to see whether a specific game you own will work on Switch 2. The list is updated as new information becomes available, though Nintendo has stated that the vast majority of additions happened at or near the Switch 2 launch.
If you are considering purchasing Switch 2 and want to know whether your entire collection will transfer, you can go through your game library — either by checking your physical cartridges against the list or by viewing your digital purchase history on your Nintendo Account and cross-referencing titles. For most players, this process will take only a few minutes because the incompatible list is short.
Transferring your console data to Switch 2
Nintendo offers a data transfer tool that moves your account, settings, and save files from your original Switch to Switch 2. The process requires both consoles to be present and connected to the internet. You start the transfer on your original Switch, confirm it on Switch 2, and the system handles moving your profile, downloaded games, and cloud saves.
The transfer does not move physical cartridges — those you simply insert into the new console. Digital games are re-downloaded to Switch 2 using your account, so you will need enough storage space for the games you want to play. If you do not have enough space, you can delete and re-download games later without losing your save files, as long as you have cloud backup enabled or use local transfer for games that do not support cloud saves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play my Switch cartridges on Switch 2 right away?
Yes. Insert the cartridge into Switch 2 and it will launch immediately, assuming it is not one of the incompatible titles. There is no waiting period, no download, and no need to re-purchase the game. Physical cartridges work the same way they did on the original Switch.
Do I lose my digital games when I switch to Switch 2?
No. Your digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account. Sign into your account on Switch 2 and you can re-download any game you purchased. You do not lose access, and you do not pay again. The games are yours to download and play on any Switch console where you sign in.
What if I own Ring Fit Adventure or 1-2-Switch?
These games are on Nintendo's incompatibility list and will not work on Switch 2. If you want to keep playing them, you will need to keep your original Switch. Nintendo does not plan to release updated versions for Switch 2, so these titles remain exclusive to the original console.
Will my save files transfer to Switch 2?
Yes, if the game supports cloud backup and you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, your saves upload automatically and download on Switch 2 when you sign in. For games without cloud backup, use local transfer by connecting both consoles. Check the game's eShop page to see whether cloud backup is supported.
How do I know which of my games won't work?
Nintendo publishes an official list of incompatible games on its support website. Search the list by title to check whether a specific game will work on Switch 2. The list is short — fewer than 100 titles — so most of your collection will transfer without any issues.