Nintendo has released a laundry list of games that, for one reason or another, won’t work on theNintendo Switch 2. It’s been known for some time now that the Switch 2 would have some measure of backwards compatibility, but during the April 2 Nintendo Direct, we learned all the details. Some games, likeZelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, will be gettingfull-scale, paid Switch 2 upgrades, with new features and better performance.Others will be getting free updatesthat allow for better performance and GameShare multiplayer.
Butthere are some games that just don’t work on the Switch 2as of yet. While Nintendo is working on fixes for many of them, some games appear to be fundamentally incompatible with the Switch 2. Still others will be playable on the upgraded console, but only with original Joy-Cons connected. Here’s a full rundown of every game currently having compatibility issues with the Switch 2, and a look at what Nintendo is doing to fix the problem.
All Switch Games With Switch 2 Compatibility Issues
Every Switch Game You Can’t Play On Switch 2 (Yet)
The following table listsall games with startup issues on the Switch 2. For one reason or another, these games simply won’t open on the Switch 2 at all, at least not in their current state. Nintendo claims it’s actively looking into solutions for every game on this list, except one, which we’ll explain below.
The only game on this list that doesn’t have a fix in the works isFortnite, which has a Switch 2 version planned. This list is likely to shrink over time as Nintendo finds new fixes to make more of these games work.
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Another outlier isNintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, whichwon’t be playable on the Switch 2 at all. The issue is that the Switch 2 is too big to fit into the Toy-Con VR headset, so it isn’t expected to be playable on the console at all.
Next, here’s a list ofgames that are currently playable on the Switch 2, but suffer some compatibility issues. Nintendo is working on fixes for all of the below.
It’s unclear whether these games will be released for the Switch 2 in their current states, perhaps witha warning of potential compatibility issues, or whether Nintendo will hold off on releasing them for Switch 2 until they’re fully ready.
Every Switch 2 Game That Requires Switch Joy-Cons
New Console, Same Controllers
Finally, there are a handful of Switch games thatwill only be playable on the Switch 2 when using original Switch Joy-Cons. This is a much shorter list, and each of these games is expected to work perfectly on the upgraded console, as long as you’re using the right controller.
Reason
Ring Fit Adventure
The Joy-Con 2 can’t fit in the Ring-Con accessory because of its size and magnetic connectors.
1-2-Switch
Joy-Con 2 controllers don’t have IR cameras, which are required for controlling this game.
Everybody 1-2-Switch
The Joy-Con 2 has a quieter vibration sound, which may make it harder to find during the Joy-Con Hide & Seek mini-game.
Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit
The Joy-Con 2 may not fit in certain accessories.
Do note thatcertain features of the above games may still work with Joy-Con 2- it seems like you’ll still be able to play certain parts ofNintendo Switch Sportsthat don’t use the leg strap with the Joy-Con 2. However, certain features of theNintendo Labogames may not work as intended with the Switch 2, as its bigger screen can’t fit into some of the accessories.
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For now, those are all the Switch 2 backwards compatibility issues we know of. It’s likely that Nintendo will update this list over time, removing games it’s found fixes for, as it’s actively working on solutions for most of these incompatible games. Hopefully, most of their issues are resolved by the time theNintendo Switch 2comes out on June 5.
