Summary

  • Some new, red Switch 2 cartridges may be playable on the Original Switch.
  • Game carts will hold both the original Switch editions and the Switch 2 enhanced features.
  • This may apply to both third-party and some first-party Nintendo titles.

As Nintendo transitions into the Switch 2 era, many fans are left wondering what that will mean for those stuck with the original. With the Switch 2 costing nearly $500 for the console and a single game, it’s likely going to take some time before the entire fanbase migrates over.


Luckily, Nintendo has already given some hope to fans who may not initially pick up the Switch 2. Upcoming games like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Metroid Prime 4 are sure to give original Switch fans some worthwhile content before they’re forced to swap over.

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It’s part of a long-running franchise.

However, with the shiny new red cartridges, many wonder what stops them from putting these new carts into their original systems. After all, consoles like the 3DS purposefully added hardware features, like that little nub, to stop you from putting the cartridges in original DS systems.

According to an FAQ for the upcoming game Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, some Switch 2 cartridges may be available to play on original systems. Specifically, the carts holding editions for the original Switch version and an upgraded Switch 2 port will be playable on either system.

Guardians Of Azuma and Kirby And The Forgotten Land: two potentially backwards compatible Switch 2 games.

The FAQ describes the new cartridge as “a red 64GB game card that includes, in full, the Nintendo Switch game and the Upgrade Pack.” That means the cart can include the software for an original Switch game and the Switch 2 exclusive add-on pack.

On select box art available on digital storefronts, you can clearly say that the cartridge “includes the Nintendo Switch game and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack,” proving that the original Switch version is included on the cartridge.


A fascinating aspect is that games such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World appear to have the exact same disclaimer on the box, meaning this feature may also apply to official “Nintendo Switch 2 Editions.”

Although Nintendo has been very clear about which Switch 1 games are playable on Switch 2, we don’t appear to have received an official answer on this topic.


More Than Just Backwards Compatibility

Mario Kart Nintendo Switch 2

Furthermore, the FAQ states that you can “simply insert the card into either a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 console, and the correct version will launch automatically.” So you won’t just download an original Switch version and have to manually install the upgrade.

Systems like the Xbox One had special games that worked for both Xbox One and Xbox 360, but simply put, those were Xbox 360 games that were played backward compatible on the Xbox One. This system with the Switch 2, however, seems significantly different.

A game plugged into either the Switch 2 or Original Switch will be able to tell what console it’s plugged into, and then change the version based on that, meaning this is almost a form of enhanced backward compatibility.

Phil Spencer Xbox

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Although this only seems to be used for Switch 1 games with an add-on or upgrade for the Switch 2, and not all official Nintendo ports may have this feature, it’s a really great addition for Switch 2 games to have.


However, this actually raises a few more questions about what exactly it means for a game to be a Switch 2 exclusive. If Switch 1 games with basic expansions are being given Switch 2 official ports that are still, in a lesser form, playable on the original, it’ll be harder for fans to differentiate between the two.

This lack of distinction between consoles and their games is also relevant with consoles like the PS4 and PS5. I wouldn’t be surprised if this confusing system just leaves many fans refusing to upgrade until it’s relevant.

As usual, we’ll just have to wait and see how this turns out. Hopefully, the “Switch 2 Edition” of some of these games will bring enough meaningful changes to get fans on board.