Switch 2 backwards compatibility is pretty comprehensive across console generations, but there are still some original Switch games that don’t work on Switch 2.

Although Switch 2 arrived June 5 with the new Mario Kart World, some ports, and the possibility of upgrading big games (like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom) to their respective Switch 2 versions, the launch lineup is relatively slight. As a result, you may lean on your original Switch backlog for things to play.

Below, we’ll explain how backwards compatibility works on Switch 2, plus include a list of all original Switch games that aren’t working (for various reasons) on Switch 2.

Switch 2 backwards compatibility, explained

You don’t need to worry whether you can play that long list of games in your backlog on Switch 2or not, because Switch 2’s backwards compatibility covers most original Switch games, whether developed by Nintendo or other studios.

To play an original Switch game on Switch 2, simply download the game or insert the physical copy. You might have to load the Virtual Game Card if you were already playing the game in the original Switch.

According to data shared by Nintendo, almost 100% of Switch games work on Switch 2. However, while Nintendo says they are continually working on backwards compatibility in order to make every Switch game accessible across console generations, some Switch games aren’t working at all or don’t play as expected on Switch 2.

The reasons differ, but according to Nintendo’s data, the games that don’t work on Switch 2can be broadly broken down into three categories:

Games with issues to be resolvedGames with issues that prevent progressGames that require the original Switch joy-cons

Below, you will find the games and in which category they fit among the ones that are having problems on Switch 2*.*

Switch games with issues to be resolved on Switch 2

This list of games is the most promising one, since Nintendo indicates they are going to eventually receive an update to solve the problems, implying that studios have identified the issues already.

Abyss Memory Fallen Angel and the Path of MagicBeyond Enemy Lines – Remastered EditionCapcom Fighting Collection 2Car Detailing SimulatorDadishDairoku: Agents of SakurataniEveryday Today’s MENU for EMIYA FamilyGenso ManègeGiana Sisters: Twisted Dreams – Owltimate EditionGo VacationGodlike BurgerGuardian TalesKero BlasterLAYTON’S MYSTERY JOURNEY: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy – Deluxe EditionLIMBOMotoGP 21MotoGP 22MotoGP 23Nintendo Switch SportsNorn9: Var CommonsPikmin 3 DeluxeRedemption ReapersRetro Classix 2-in-1 Pack: Express Raider & ShootoutRetro Classix 2-in-1 Pack: Gate of Doom & Wizard FireRetro Classix 4in1 Pack: Sly Spy, Shootout, Wizard Fire & Super Real DarwinS.N.I.P.E.R. – Hunter ScopeSkateboard Drifting with Maxwell Cat: The Game SimulatorSportitions’24Street Fighter 30th Anniversary CollectionSuper Fowlst 2Super Neptunia RPGSuper Smash Bros. UltimateTomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara CroftTrials Rising Standard Edition

Switch games with issues that prevent progress on Switch 2

The issues in most of the games in this list are still being investigated. These games might present start-up issues or other kinds of problems that are interfering with your progression.

3 out of 10: Season OneA Boy and His Blob Retro CollectionA Long Way DownA Time Traveller’s Guide To Past DelicaciesAeons Must Die!Aeterna NoctisAfterdreamAinda In DangerAmanda the AdventurerArcade PartyAssault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn TributeAstral FluxBacon Man: An AdventureBill & Ted’s Excellent Retro CollectionBloodshoreBoot Hill HeroesBorderlands 3 Ultimate EditionBotany ManorChickens MadnessChronicles of 2 Heroes: Amaterasu’s WrathCHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITIONClock Tower: RewindCrash Bandicoot N. Sane TrilogyCrypt of the NecroDancer: Nintendo Switch EditionDark Nights with Poe and MunroDC Universe OnlineDragon’s Lair TrilogyDreamwalkerDust: An Elysian TailEscape from Chernobylfig.FlanForgotten MemoriesGang BeastsGelly Break DeluxeGRID AutosportGUILTY GEAR XX ACCENT CORE PLUS RHappy HotelHighrise Heroes: Word ChallengeHITMAN 3 – Cloud VersionHouse BuilderIn My ShadowInferno 2INSTANT Chef PartyJurassic Park Classic Games CollectionKarmaZooKILL la KILL -IFKilling Time: ResurrectedKingdoms of Amalur: Re-ReckoningLaboratory Rat Escape Simulator ProLabyrinth of Galleria: The Moon SocietyLayer Section & GalacticLibrary Of RuinaMalignant SurvivorsManticore – Galaxy on FireMARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade ClassicsMega Mall Story 2Megaton RainfallMia and me – Magic FriendsMinigolf AdventureMODEL Debut3 #nicolaMortal Kombat 1My Memory of UsNASCAR RivalsNEKOPARA Vol.1NEKOPARA Vol.2Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced EditionNieR Automata The End of YoRHa EditionNinja Five-ONinjalaNobody Saves the WorldOddworld: Stranger’s WrathOK K.O.! Let’s Play HeroesOttoOvercooked! All You Can EatOverdriven Reloaded: Special EditionOverwatch 2Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for NeighborvilleQuell MementoQuell ZenQuick RaceRadiation CityRaiden III x MIKADO MANIAXRaiden IV x MIKADO remixRemothered: Tormented FatherRetro Classix 2in1 pack: Bad Dudes & Two Crude DudesRICORiftTrax: The GameRiver City Girls ZeroRoller ChampionsRoot Double – Before Crime * After Days-Xtend EditionSaviors of Sapphire Wings/Stranger of Sword City RevisitedSecret NeighborSkies AboveSmileBASIC 4SNACK WORLD: THE DUNGEON CRAWL – GOLDSoul Dog TDSouth of the CircleSouth Park: The Fractured but Whole – Standard EditionSTAR WARS Republic CommandoSTAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith LordsStranded Sails – Explorers of the Cursed IslandsStrania – The Stella Machina – EXStumble BuysSuper Mega Baseball 4The Final StationThe Mean Greens – Plastic WarfareThe Wild CaseThey Bleed PixelsThis War of Mine: Complete EditionTimespinnerTiny LandsTokyo Xanadu eX+Tomba! Special EditionTony Hawk’s Pro Skate 1+2Touhou Genso Wanderer ReloadedTouhou Gouyoku Ibun ~Sunken Fossil WorldTrenga UnlimitedTrip World DXTroveTrover Saves the UniverseTT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3TY the Tasmanian Tiger HDUncle Chop’s Rocket ShopWarface: ClutchWarframeWarp ShiftWARRIORS: AbyssWhat the Dub?!Where the Bees Make HoneyWild SeasWildfireWRC 8 FIA World Rally ChampionshipWRC 9 The Official GameYomawari: Lost in the DarkZikSquare

Switch games that don’t work with Switch 2 Joy-Cons

These games work on Switch 2, but only if you use the original Switch Joy-Cons. They do work on the new system – we tested them! However, Switch 2 can’t be used to charge these controllers.

Ring Fit Adventure1-2-SwitchEverybody 1-2-SwitchGame Builder GarageNintendo Switch SportsWarioWare: Move It!Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety KitNintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot KitNintendo Lado Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit

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