Nintendo Says Current Switch Games Will Be Compatible With New Console

Nintendo announced today that its upcoming Switch console will be compatible with current Nintendo Switch Online games and services during its midyear policy briefing.

“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,” wrote Shuntaro Furukawa, President of Nintendo, through Nintendo Corporate’s official account on X today.

“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.”

Many users reacted to the announcement and shared their thoughts. “Seriously important news for physical collectors especially,” wrote a user. “If it’s still called Nintendo Switch Online, then this successor is definitely Switch 2,” added another.

According to CNBC, after today’s announcement, the company’s shares closed 5.8% higher in Tokyo.

“I believe investors want Nintendo to adopt the iPhone approach of gradually improving a winning product instead of trying to reinvent the wheel with every new console generation,” said Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based games consultancy Kantan Games to CNBC.

While many players expect the official announcement of the new console, the video games company provided more details on the current business situation.

In an official presentation PDF shared publicly, Furukawa showed a decrease in sales and profits during the first half of this year. Nintendo Switch console sales dropped 31% compared to the previous year, but the company noted that, compared to other Nintendo Platforms, sales remain strong for the beginning of its 8th year.

A few days ago, Nintendo launched a new music app featuring the company’s game soundtracks and officially opened the doors for its new Nintendo Museo in Japan.