Nintendo joins PS5 & Xbox Series in backward compatibility for so-called "Switch 2"

Nintendo has now confirmed that its upcoming Switch successor will support existing Switch games and continue the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa shares the news on X, where he also says, “Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.”

The Japanese video game company has previously confirmed that the so-called “Switch 2,” the Nintendo Switch’s successor, would arrive before April 2025. And while we’re still in the dark about it, the announcement came at a crucial time as Nintendo has previously reported a recent decline in Switch sales.

During its recent midyear briefing, Nintendo reported a 31% drop in Switch sales compared to the same period last year, selling 4.72 million units in the last quarter. Despite this decline, however, overall sales remain strong for a console that’s eight years old, reaching a total of 146 million units sold.

While the gaming world speculates on the next console, Nintendo has been busy with unexpected releases like an alarm clock, a museum, and even an online game akin to Minecraft. That’s why today’s announcement is special as the upcoming “Switch 2” (or whatever it’ll be called) is now the last gaming console to support backward compatibility after PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.