Nintendo Switch was in a sort of limbo going into next year. Long-awaited games like Xenoblade Chronicles X or Rune Factory to name a few are scheduled to be released up to March 2025 for the platform but the shadow of its successor looms over every announcement. There is some debate if we will get an official showcase before the year-end (it is November after all) but Nintendo still says it plans to announce something soon. Despite this, we do know it will be released next year though it is unclear.
This means that every game Nintendo showcased, especially games like Xenoblade Chronicles X which has been requested since the Nintendo Switch launched, had an asterisk with its availability with the upcoming system. Thankfully Nintendo, in a very nonchalant way finally assuaged those fears with an announcement that the Nintendo Switch 2 (whatever it might eventually be named) would feature full backward compatibility with the Nintendo Switch Library.
This announcement was posted to X today by Nintendo President of Japan Shuntaro Furukawa. In it he stated:
This is Furukawa. At today’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.
Of course, this raises additional questions, such as if this means we can expect a similar cartridge style, or if the device will include a slot for these in addition to whatever the new system uses. Additionally, it remains unclear if games close to the release of the new platform will get similar versions for the new console as well, or if they will get one version. Thankfully, this news should make it less concerning to commit to these upcoming titles even if you plan to be an early adopter of the new hardware.
Equally reassuring is the news that the Nintendo Switch Online would return, meaning that player information and bought games should be accessible. Furukawa had additionally stated during a previous financial report:
In addition to being able to play Nintendo Switch software they currently own, consumers will be able to choose their next purchase from a broad selection of titles released for Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo claims that they are still on track to announce their next hardware before the end of this fiscal year. That would be sometime before the end of March 2025.
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