Do Switch 1 games work on Switch 2? Backward compatibility explained
By Daniel del Moral Hernández · Updated September 23, 2026
Yes, almost all of them. Nintendo says that “Nintendo Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital games released on the Nintendo Switch system”. Switch 1 cartridges go in the same slot as Switch 2 cartridges, and your digital library carries over.
The exceptions
Nintendo also warns that some games “may take longer to become playable, may experience partial functionality issues, or may not be supported”. Five titles are named as not usable on Switch 2:
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, because the console does not fit the cardboard accessory
- Niconico
- ABEMA
- Hulu
- Crunchyroll
Some other games need the original Switch Joy-Con, because they rely on features the Joy-Con 2 do not replicate.
How to check a specific game
Every Switch game page on Nintendo’s website shows its compatibility with Switch 2, and Nintendo recommends checking it before buying a Switch 1 game to play on Switch 2. Nintendo has also been fixing individual games through updates, so a game with issues at launch may work fine now.
Some Switch 1 games get better on Switch 2
A group of Switch 1 games received a free Switch 2 update that improves frame rate, resolution or HDR. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, for example, usually run at 60 FPS on Switch 2 with it.
Other games have a paid Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade instead. The difference is explained in Switch 2 Edition, upgrade packs and free updates.
Storage
Switch 1 games you download take space on the Switch 2’s 256 GB storage just like Switch 2 games. The storage calculator includes the free-update games, so you can plan your whole library.
Source: Nintendo: Nintendo Switch game compatibility with Nintendo Switch 2.