The backwards compatibility with Switch 1 games has been confirmed for a while, and now we have a better idea regarding the scope of the compatibility. Almost every Switch 1 game - over 15,000 titles - will be compatible and playable on the new console, but some of them will have problems. Not every Switch game from the console's extensive library will be backwards compatible with the Switch 2, but the vast majority will. However, it appears in early testing that there are some games that have issues and need further updates.

According to Nintendo, there are some Switch 1 games that are not compatible at all with the Nintendo Switch 2, some that currently have issues and need further testing, and some that have no issues whatsoever. There is currently only one Nintendo first-party title that is not compatible with the Switch 2: Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. The reason for this is that the Switch 2 console is bigger than the Switch 1, so it does not fit theToy-Con VR Goggles accessory.

There are numerous third-party titles that are currently having issues that are being investigated, including Warframe, Fortnite, and Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus.

Nintendo Switch 2's Backwards Compatibility Issues Explained

There Are A Wide Range Of Possible Issues

There are numerous third-party Switch 1 games that currently have compatibility issues with the Switch 2. Some games fail during start-up, some have other issues during parts of the game, while others are starting but need additional testing to determine full compatibility, and a little over 20% of the Nintendo Switch 1 third-party titles are fully compatible and have zero issues.

The games that are being tested to determine full compatibility very well may be completely fine and just need additional testing to confirm for sure.

Additionally, there are several Switch games that are getting a Switch 2 version, so how the original version of the game runs on the Switch 2 remains to be seen. In the case of Fortnite having issues currently with backwards compatibility, Nintendo's compatibility sheet just reads, "A Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned" in the column labeled "Handling," in regard to the company's current plans to address the issues.

Our Take: Backwards Compatibility Is Great If Most Games Work

The Issues Seem To Be Almost Exclusively With Third-Party Games

With only one first-party game currently listed as not being backwards compatible, it seems Nintendo is focusing on its first-party backwards compatibility to strengthen the library of playable games at the launch of the Switch 2, in addition to games coming to the Switch 2 down the line.

With a lot of third-party confirmed to be coming to the Switch 2, it's within reason that Nintendo will probably do everything within its power to get as many game issues sorted out as possible to make the Nintendo Switch 2 a desirable console for fans of third-party franchises.

Source: Nintendo (1, 2)