Simran Joshi
In a groundbreaking move for Nintendo, the upcoming Switch 2 will introduce backward compatibility, allowing games from the Wii U era to be playable across three consecutive generations of the company’s consoles.
This unprecedented feature marks a significant departure from Nintendo’s historical approach, as the Switch itself was the first home console since 2001 to lack backward compatibility with its predecessor’s game library.
With this announcement, at least 36 Wii U titles—ranging from fan favorites like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition—will be available on the Switch 2, ensuring these classic games live on for a new generation of players.
Backward Compatibility on the Switch 2: A Historical First
For the first time at Nintendo, backward compatibility will span three successive console generations. It’s a defining characteristic: many Wii U titles that haven’t otherwise been available on the Switch will be playable on the Switch 2, Nintendo’s next hybrid console. Nintendo made this call based on long-held fan demand for the ability to transfer their libraries to the next console.
This is an extreme switch from previous generations, in which backward compatibility was either minimal or practically nonexistent altogether. The Switch did not have backward compatibility with Wii U, despite its success; many were frustrated with this and argued that the older titles needed more exploration of their potential. With Switch 2, it will no longer hold the players back, and thus, their Wii U titles can finally be enjoyed on three generations of the console.
Expansive Library of Wii U Games on the Switch 2
The Switch 2 will include at least 36 Wii U games pre-loaded onto the new console, including both first-party and third-party titles. So for instance, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe fans will not have to look far to find those games seamlessly carried over to the next-gen console. This large slate of previously ported games only adds value to the Switch 2’s library.
Returns of titles include notable Wii U titles, such as Xenoblade Chronicles X, that will return with new-edition versions, meaning the classics can be replayed in the best possible way. The Switch 2 is representing a console with a very rich and diverse library of games across different generations, hence pleasing both newcomers and old-timers.
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