Nintendo suggests there will be enhanced Switch 2 versions of some Switch games
In the small print of an explainer about its new Virtual Game Card system for digital purchases, Nintendo appeared to confirm that some Switch games will get enhanced versions for Switch 2 — or at any rate, versions native to the Switch 2 console. A footnote to the article reads, “Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games […]
In the small print of an explainer about its new Virtual Game Card system for digital purchases, Nintendo appeared to confirm that some Switch games will get enhanced versions for Switch 2 — or at any rate, versions native to the Switch 2 console.
A footnote to the article reads, “Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games can only be loaded on a Nintendo Switch 2 system.” The note also implies that the Switch 2 will use the Virtual Game Card system as well, and will be able to exchange Switch 1 games with an original Switch.
The Switch 2 is confirmed to be fully backward compatible with its predecessor’s software, so it will be able to play (almost) any Switch game regardless. But Nintendo’s mention of “Switch 2 Edition games,” as opposed to “Switch 2 exclusive games,” suggests that some Switch games will get cross-gen versions that run natively on Switch 2 rather than through the backward-compatibility layer.
This opens the door to enhanced versions of back-catalog titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as well as upcoming Switch releases like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It’s an expected move that has been made commonplace by the latest generations of PlayStation and Xbox consoles. But it’s still the first indication from Nintendo that it will go down this route for cross-gen releases.
It remains to be seen whether Nintendo will charge extra for Switch 2 Edition games. Sony did so for some PlayStation 5 upgrades of PlayStation 4 titles, while Microsoft elected to offer what it called Xbox Series X Enhanced versions of Xbox One games for free.
How the Switch 2 handles backward compatibility, and any potential performance enhancements for older games, is one of the bigger questions about the system ahead of its full reveal on April 2. This fine print answers one of our questions about it, but many more remain.
