With Nintendo’s new console on the horizon, fans and tech enthusiasts have endlessly speculated what the gaming giant’s latest endeavor could bring to the market. While the console has yet to receive an official reveal, Nintendo has provided a steady stream of new information on the Nintendo Switch 2. One of the biggest recent reveals was that this new console would have backward compatibility with the original Switch. Here is a breakdown of the latest update on the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Update
According to Express, Nintendo answered a huge question regarding their anticipated new console, the Nintendo Switch 2. They confirmed that it will have backward compatibility and the ability to run games from the original Switch. The announcement came from Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, recounting a corporate meeting on X. This was one of the biggest questions regarding the Switch’s successor. For nearly a decade, the Switch has been a bastion of gaming. Without backward compatibility, the game’s starting library would be far smaller, and its launch would be far weaker.
In the same article, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick, one of the biggest voices in gaming, offered his thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2. He said the choice would greatly benefit his company’s massive catalog. Given that Take-Two has given some of the biggest titles in the medium, such as BioShock and Grand Theft Auto, his support is a good omen for this new console. One possibility is even Borderlands 4 arriving on the machine.
What Fans Know About the Console
With the Switch’s successor not arriving until at least 2025, with no name revealed, players have been left theorizing and speculating what the next console will bring. However, there have been many rumors and confirmed details. As reported by Polygon, the game will likely have physical cartridges and be portable, while many rumors indicate that many deemed the console’s tech (Storage/RAM) impressive. Again, with Nintendo months away from a proper reveal, the console remains shrouded in mystery.
While Nintendo created many consoles that laid the foundation for the medium, few were as influential as the Nintendo Switch. It combined a home machine’s power with a portable device’s mobility. Furthermore, it gave the company some iconic titles such as Three Houses, Smash Ultimate, and Breath of the Wild. Therefore, the Nintendo Switch 2 has a tough act to follow. Furthermore, having backward compatibility will bridge this massive library to the next generation of gamers.
Why Backwards Compatibility Matters
Even beyond Nintendo, backward compatibility has always been a vital feature that would make or break the choices of many gamers. Players on older consoles are free to upgrade while keeping their collections. One infamous example was the PlayStation 4 being unable to play PS3 games, locking away hundreds of dollars worth of games from players’ libraries. Additionally, they ensure the preservation of older games without the need for piracy. While some developers consider it an additional hurdle, in the end, it’s for the greater good.
This was also a problem for many Nintendo consoles, given the vast differences in hardware between them, especially the Wii. To reiterate, while little information currently exists on the Nintendo Switch 2, this feature proves that Nintendo has been listening to its fans. Furthermore, Nintendo has also been good at keeping its online stores stocked with classic titles, such as its NES games and most of Zelda’s repertoire.
Conclusion
To summarize this news, the latest Nintendo console has many questions surrounding its release. However, by including backward compatibility, Nintendo assured they would hold onto their massive libraries and generations of fans. Furthermore, this choice has already impressed some of the biggest gaming executives. Beyond Nintendo, the next console generation is on the horizon, so Microsoft and Sony will certainly be ready with their machines to compete. Fortunately, the Nintendo Switch 2 is ready with a decade’s worth of classics to bring along.
