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

Nintendo has confirmed that the vast majority of Nintendo Switch games will play on Switch 2. However, a small number of games — those that rely on specific hardware features of the original Switch — will not work. Nintendo has not released a complete list of incompatible games, so you will not know for certain whether a particular game runs until you try it or check Nintendo's official compatibility database after the console launches.

The reason some games do not work comes down to how they were built. A few games use features unique to the original Switch's hardware, such as the infrared motion camera in the Joy-Con controllers or the NFC reader that reads amiibo figures. Switch 2 has different hardware in some areas, and games that depend on those specific features cannot run.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo has stated that the vast majority of Switch games will play on Switch 2, but a small percentage will not work due to hardware differences.
  • Games that rely on the original Switch's infrared camera or specific Joy-Con features are most likely to be incompatible.
  • Nintendo will publish an official compatibility list, but it may not be complete until after Switch 2 launches.
  • You can test whether your games work by inserting the cartridge or downloading the game on Switch 2 once you have the console.

Which games are most likely to be incompatible

Games that use the infrared motion camera built into the original Switch Joy-Con controllers are at highest risk of not working. This camera was used for games like 1-2-Switch, Nintendo Switch Sports, and Ring Fit Adventure. Switch 2's Joy-Con controllers do not have this infrared camera, so these games cannot detect the hand motions they were designed to recognize.

Games that rely on NFC (near-field communication) to read amiibo figures may also have problems, though Nintendo has not confirmed whether Switch 2 will include NFC support in its Joy-Con controllers. Some games use amiibo as an optional feature, while others require it to play certain modes.

A very small number of games may have been coded in ways that assume specific details about the original Switch's processor or memory layout. These are rare, but they exist. Nintendo has not named any specific titles in this category.

How to check if your games will work

The most direct way is to wait for Nintendo's official compatibility database. Nintendo said it would publish a list of games that do not work on Switch 2, though the company did not specify when this list would be complete or how detailed it would be.

Once Switch 2 is available, you can also test your own games. If you own a physical cartridge, insert it into Switch 2 and see whether it launches. If you own a digital game, you can download it on Switch 2 and try to run it. If a game is incompatible, the console will tell you it cannot play that title.

Before you buy a new game, check the game's page on the Nintendo eShop or the publisher's website. Some publishers have already stated whether their games will work on Switch 2, though this information is not yet widespread.

What happens to your game library when you move to Switch 2

Your digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account, not to the Switch console itself. When you sign into your Nintendo Account on Switch 2, you will be able to download any digital games you own, as long as those games are compatible with the new console. Games that do not work will simply not appear as available to download.

Physical game cartridges work the same way they always have: you insert them into the console and play. If a cartridge is incompatible, the console will not launch the game, but the cartridge itself is not damaged and will still work on your original Switch.

Your save files are also tied to your Nintendo Account. Most games will recognize your old saves on Switch 2, though some games may not be able to transfer save data if they are incompatible with the new console.

Games that use standard features will almost certainly work

If a game uses only the standard features that Switch 2 has — the screen, the Joy-Con buttons, the rumble motors, the microphone, and the basic motion sensors — it will almost certainly work. This includes the vast majority of Switch games: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 3, and thousands of others.

Games that use the touchscreen will work on Switch 2, since the new console has a touchscreen. Games that use HD rumble (the detailed vibration feedback) will work, because Switch 2 supports this feature. Games that use motion controls with the standard gyroscope and accelerometer will work, because Switch 2 has these sensors.

What Nintendo has officially said about compatibility

Nintendo confirmed in January 2025 that "the vast majority" of Switch games will work on Switch 2. The company stated that a small number of games would not be compatible and that it would publish a list of incompatible titles. Nintendo did not specify how many games fall into the incompatible category, though the company's language suggests it is a small percentage of the total library.

Nintendo has not said whether it will update incompatible games to work on Switch 2, or whether publishers will have the option to do so. This may vary by game and publisher.

What to do if a game you own is incompatible

If you own a physical cartridge of an incompatible game, you can still play it on your original Switch. The cartridge will not work on Switch 2, but it will continue to work on the console you already own.

If you own a digital copy of an incompatible game, you will not be able to play it on Switch 2. You will still own the game on your Nintendo Account, but you will not be able to download or launch it on the new console. Nintendo has not said whether it will offer refunds for incompatible digital games.

Some publishers may release updated versions of incompatible games that work on Switch 2. If this happens, you may be able to transfer your save file or purchase the updated version at a discount, though this will depend on the publisher's decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play my physical Switch game cartridges on Switch 2?

Most of them, yes. Nintendo confirmed that the vast majority of physical games will work on Switch 2. A small number will not, and Nintendo will publish a list of incompatible titles. You can test any cartridge by inserting it into Switch 2 and trying to launch it.

Will my digital games transfer to Switch 2?

Your digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account. When you sign into your account on Switch 2, you will be able to download compatible games. Incompatible games will not appear as available to download, and you will not be able to play them on the new console.

What if I buy a game and it does not work on Switch 2?

Nintendo has not announced a refund policy for incompatible games. If you purchase a game before Switch 2 launches and it turns out to be incompatible, you may want to check Nintendo's official compatibility list first or contact Nintendo Support to ask about your options.

Will Ring Fit Adventure work on Switch 2?

Ring Fit Adventure relies on the infrared motion camera in the original Switch Joy-Con, which Switch 2 does not have. Nintendo has not confirmed whether this game will work on Switch 2, but it is likely to be incompatible. You will be able to play it on your original Switch.

Can I use my old Joy-Con controllers on Switch 2?

Nintendo has not confirmed whether original Switch Joy-Con controllers will work with Switch 2. Even if they do, games that rely on the infrared camera will still not work, because Switch 2's hardware cannot support that feature.