Charles Esther
Do you love the Nintendo Switch?
Do you have a rich library of games and wish you could play them with smoother frame rates and visual upgrades?
Do you have $450?
Nintendo has a solution for you!
The Switch 2 Plays Most Original Switch Games
Backward compatibility was one of the biggest requests from fans of the original Switch, and Nintendo has delivered.
According to Nintendo’s backward compatibility tracker, the Switch 2 plays almost every first- and third-party Nintendo game seamlessly.
This means that if you already own a library of games for the original Switch, you can bring almost all of them with you when upgrading.
By migrating your data from an original Switch to the Switch 2, you can effortlessly transfer save data, user profiles, and downloaded games to the new console and start playing immediately.
Nintendo’s virtual game card system will require some learning for transferring digital licenses between the old and new consoles, but both systems can co-exist peacefully.
You can even transfer save files over the air with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
Many Games Run Better Even Without Updates
Thanks to the upgraded Switch 2 hardware, Nintendo uses software emulation as a compatibility layer to run old games on the new console.
This approach is similar to how Apple enabled older Mac apps to run on Apple silicon chips after moving away from Intel.
This method is proving to be very effective.
Many older games without specific updates for the Switch 2 hardware are performing noticeably better than on the original Switch.
YouTube channels like GVG and Digital Foundry have demonstrated that the Switch 2 can “fix” older titles, especially those with unlocked frame rates.
For example, Dragon Quest Builders 2, which often struggled to hit 30 FPS in open areas on the original Switch, now runs locked at 60 FPS on the Switch 2.
In complex, user-created levels, the original Switch could drop to around 10 FPS, but the Switch 2 improves this to approximately 30 FPS.
Digital Foundry highlighted Batman: Arkham Knight, considered a poorly optimized Switch game.
The original version ran mostly at 15 FPS, while the Switch 2 doubles that performance to 30 FPS, with potential for even higher frame rates if unlocked.
Bayonetta 2, a game that frequently dipped from 60 to 40 FPS on the original Switch, runs smoothly on the Switch 2 without these dips.
Bayonetta 3 shows similar improvements on the new console.
Hyrule Warriors, an uncapped 60 FPS game, often dropped to 30 FPS when many enemies appeared on the original Switch.
On the Switch 2, gameplay remains silky smooth even during intense battles, though cutscenes are still locked at 30 FPS.
The Witcher 3, a technical marvel on the Switch, had frequent drops below 20 FPS on the original hardware.
The Switch 2 locks the game at 30 FPS, offering a more stable experience.
Some Games Even Look Better
Digital Foundry’s analysis of The Witcher 3 on the Switch 2 highlights a bonus effect of the new hardware’s power.
The game uses dynamic resolution scaling, reducing visual quality when performance drops and increasing it when performance improves.
Because The Witcher 3 runs smoothly at a locked 30 FPS on the Switch 2, the resolution rarely drops, resulting in higher visual fidelity.
This means some games could look better on the Switch 2 simply due to its more powerful processor, even without specific updates.
Switch 2 Enhanced Editions Provide Further Improvements
It’s important to note that original Switch games running on the Switch 2 do so without optimization, relying on Nintendo’s compatibility layer.
This benefits players wanting more stable frame rates without waiting for developer patches.
However, the concept of next-gen patches has become common with recent Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
These updates optimize games for new hardware with improvements such as higher native resolutions, HDR support, and better frame rates.
The Switch 2 already offers enhanced editions for popular titles.
For example, you can purchase upgraded versions of Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild for $10 each.
Other publishers are releasing cheaper patches like Fantasy Life i’s $2.59 Switch 2 update.
Some games even receive free upgrades, including Super Mario Odyssey, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
The enhanced Link’s Awakening version on Switch 2 removes hitching and frame drops from the original and supports higher resolution with full HDR.
This shows how impactful patches can be, especially when provided for free.
Why Switch 2 Is Worth Considering
Many gamers will purchase the Switch 2 for exclusive new releases like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza.
But the original Switch hardware has shown its age.
Major titles like Tears of the Kingdom could have greatly benefited from more powerful hardware.
Rediscovering classics such as Super Mario Odyssey and Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker with Switch 2 optimizations is a compelling reason to upgrade.
Even without special updates, the Switch 2 alleviates many performance bottlenecks found on the original console, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
