Original switch games run on emulation

The Switch 2 will not contain any hardware components of the predecessor. Instead, Nintendo uses a special real time that is located between software and hardware. How well this works in a certain game depends on the title.

Emulation instead of hardware compatibility

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to play original switch games, but not through direct hardware compatibility, but by means of a special emulation solution. This information comes from an interview with the developers of the new console, which took place after the latest Nintendo Direct presentation. There it was revealed that – unlike in previous consoles such as the transition from DS to 3DS or from Wii to Wii U – the Switch 2 contains no hardware components of the predecessor.

“When we started the development of the switch 2, the focus was on improving the hardware performance, in particular the expansion of capacity. Compatibility therefore had a lower priority,” said Takuhiro Dohta, director of Switch 2. The completely different hardware architecture presented the developers before implementing the downward compatibility. Nintendo presents the Switch 2 in detail in the overview trailer

Hybrid solution for better battery life

The developers decided against a pure software emulation, as used by emulators like Yuzu. How Nintendo Life reports, explained Kouichi Kawamoto that the Switch 2 “does not contain a switch hardware”, which means that a complete emulation would be the only way to get the games up and running. However, a pure software emulation would bring the console to its performance limits and drastically shorten the battery life.

Instead, Nintendo developed a hybrid solution that, according to Dohta, is “somewhere between a software emulator and hardware compatibility”. This technology converts data from original switch games in real time while the game is running. This not only spares battery resources, but switch games can also benefit from new functions such as gamechat and show improved loading times.

Not all games compatible

Despite this solution, there are some restrictions. Nintendo has already published a list of Switch games that will not run on Switch 2, including demanding ports such as Doom Eternal and certain emulated games like some Arcade Archives titles. In addition, there is another list of games that work, but “have some internal compatibility problems”, including Guys and Alien: Isolation.

The good news is that 122 first-party games and over 15,000 third-party titles have been released for downward compatibility. Nintendo continues to work with publishers and developers to further improve compatibility.