Most Switch 1 games will play on Switch 2, but not all

Nintendo Switch 2 plays the vast majority of original Switch games without any changes needed. You insert the physical cartridge or read the digital game the same way you did on Switch 1, and it runs. However, a small number of games do not work on Switch 2 — usually because they relied on hardware features that no longer exist, like the original Joy-Con motion sensors or the IR camera.

Nintendo has published a list of incompatible games on their official website. Before you move your library over, check that list if you own any of the titles on it. The incompatible games are the exception, not the rule — most people will not own any of them.

Your game saves transfer automatically if you move your Nintendo Account from Switch 1 to Switch 2. Your digital games come with you too, because they are tied to your account rather than to the console itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical game cartridges from Switch 1 work on Switch 2 without modification, and you can play them when ready after inserting them.
  • Digital games you purchased on your Nintendo Account transfer to Switch 2 automatically when you sign in with the same account.
  • A small number of games are incompatible with Switch 2, and Nintendo maintains an official list you should check before trading in your Switch 1.
  • Game saves move to Switch 2 through cloud backup if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, or through a manual transfer if you do not.
  • You do not need to re-purchase games or pay any fee to play your existing library on Switch 2.

How to check if a specific game works on Switch 2

Nintendo publishes the complete list of incompatible games on their support website. Search for "Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatibility" or go directly to Nintendo's official support page and look for the incompatibility list. The list is short — fewer than 10 games as of the Switch 2 launch — so you can scan it quickly.

If you own a game and it is not on that list, it will work on Switch 2. You do not need to contact Nintendo or check anywhere else. The official list is the only source of truth for what does and does not work.

If a game you own is on the incompatible list, you have two options: keep playing it on your Switch 1, or sell or trade the game. Nintendo has not announced plans to patch these games to work on Switch 2.

Moving physical games to Switch 2

Physical Switch 1 cartridges work on Switch 2 without any setup. Insert the cartridge into the cartridge slot on the bottom of the console, and the game launches. You do not need to read anything, register the game, or do anything else first.

If you own multiple physical games, you can switch between them by ejecting one cartridge and inserting another. The game saves are stored on the Switch 2 console itself, so your progress stays with the console, not the cartridge.

Physical games take up no storage space on Switch 2's internal drive. If you have a large library of physical cartridges, you can keep them all without worrying about running out of room.

Moving digital games to Switch 2

Digital games you purchased on your Nintendo Account are not stored on your Switch 1 console — they are stored in your account. When you sign into your Nintendo Account on Switch 2, all the games you bought appear in your library automatically. You can read and play them when ready.

You do not need to re-purchase the games or pay any fee. Your purchase history follows your account, not your console. If you bought a game on Switch 1 with your account, you own it on Switch 2 as well.

If you share your Nintendo Account with other people on your Switch 1, those games will also appear on Switch 2 when you sign in. Anyone on that console can play them, just as they could on Switch 1.

Transferring game saves from Switch 1 to Switch 2

Game saves transfer automatically if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. When you sign into your Nintendo Account on Switch 2, the cloud backup downloads your saves from the last time you played on Switch 1. This happens in the background — you do not need to do anything.

If you do not have Nintendo Switch Online, you can transfer saves manually using a USB cable and a computer, or by using the local transfer feature if both consoles are in the same room. The manual process takes longer but works without a subscription.

Some games do not support cloud backup — Nintendo's website lists which ones. For those games, you must use the manual transfer method if you want to keep your progress.

What happens to your Switch 1 after you move to Switch 2

Your Switch 1 console continues to work after you move to Switch 2. You can keep it as a backup, sell it, trade it in, or give it to someone else. The games you own do not disappear from Switch 1 just because you bought Switch 2.

If you sell or trade your Switch 1, you should remove your Nintendo Account from it first. This prevents the new owner from accessing your account or your digital games. Go to System Settings, then Users, select your account, and choose "Delete User" — this removes your account from the console but does not delete your games from your account itself.

If you keep your Switch 1, you can still play your digital games on it by signing into your account. Your physical cartridges work on both consoles at the same time.

Games that do not work on Switch 2

The incompatible games are those that used hardware features unique to the original Switch. The most common reason is reliance on the original Joy-Con motion sensors, which worked differently than the Switch 2 Joy-Con sensors. A few games also used the IR camera that was built into the right Joy-Con on Switch 1 but removed on Switch 2.

Examples of incompatible games include some motion-heavy titles and games that required IR functionality for core gameplay. Nintendo's official list names all of them, so you do not have to guess or search individually.

If you own one of these games and want to keep playing it, your Switch 1 console will continue to work. You can also check if the developer has released a Switch 2 version or an update that restores compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything special to play my Switch 1 games on Switch 2?

No. For physical games, insert the cartridge and play. For digital games, sign into your Nintendo Account on Switch 2 and read them from your library. No registration, codes, or additional steps are needed.

Will I lose my game saves if I switch to Switch 2?

No, if you have Nintendo Switch Online. Your saves upload to the cloud automatically and read to Switch 2 when you sign in. Without a subscription, you can transfer saves manually using a USB cable and a computer, or through local transfer if both consoles are nearby.

Can I play the same digital game on both Switch 1 and Switch 2 at the same time?

Not with the same account. If you sign into your account on both consoles, only one can be playing at a time. However, if you create a second account on Switch 2, that account can play games purchased by the primary account on that console, allowing two people to play simultaneously.

What if a game I own is on the incompatibility list?

You can continue playing it on your Switch 1. Nintendo has not announced plans to update these games for Switch 2. You can check the developer's website to see if they have released a new version or a Switch 2 update.

Do I have to buy my digital games again on Switch 2?

No. Your digital purchases are tied to your Nintendo Account, not to your console. When you sign into your account on Switch 2, all your games are there. You own them on both consoles at no additional cost.