The Switch 2 has major compatibility issues with these Switch 1 games, this one is downright unplayable

Nintendo has updated the list of Switch 1 games with compatibility issues with the Switch 2. One of them has been announced as unplayable. It will never work on the new console.

Every time a new console is announced, one question is on the lips of everyone who owns the current model: will I be able to run the games I already own on it? Backward compatibility does indeed weigh heavily in the balance for some when it comes to deciding whether or not to pay.

On this point, Nintendo hasn't really reassured. When the Switch 2 was announced, we learned that not all Switch 1 titles would be playable on it. Since then, the manufacturer has fortunately given more details.

Regularly updated, the Compatibility with the Nintendo Switch page on the manufacturer's website sets the tone. There are games that “have compatibility issues with the Nintendo Switch 2,” others that “require Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers,” and finally, “software that is incompatible with the Nintendo Switch 2.” Let’s unpack all of this.

Many Switch 1 games aren’t yet compatible with the Switch 2, and one of them never will be.

So far, only one Switch 1 game will never work on the Switch 2. That’s the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04 VR Kit, which requires you to craft cardboard devices and slide the console and accessories inside. The Switch 2 is simply too big for that.

More annoyingly, games like WarioWare Move It or Nintendo Switch Sports will require a first-generation Joy-Con to be connected to the console. Those on the Switch 2 don't have the infrared motion sensor needed for WarioWare, for example, and don't fit into the leg strap used for Switch Sports.

Finally, around 220 Switch 1 games are currently experiencing compatibility issues with the Switch 2. They either won't start, or they start but don't perform optimally. Nintendo aims to reduce this number to zero by rolling out corrective updates over time. In the meantime, we recommend focusing on games that will be released at the same time as the Switch 2 to ensure you can enjoy them right away.