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40% Play Switch Games on Switch 2
31 Aug
Summary
- Switch 2 boasts backward compatibility with original Switch games.
- 40% of Tomodachi Life players use Switch 2.
- Nintendo considers both Switch and Switch 2 software sales together.
The transition to the new Switch 2 console is proving smoother for Nintendo due to its wide backward compatibility with original Switch games. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa highlighted this compatibility as a key factor in facilitating the shift.
Evidence of this overlap is seen in 'Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream,' which launched in April 2026. As of the end of June 2026, the game had sold 7.94 million copies, with approximately 40 percent of its player base now engaging with it on the Switch 2.
This strategy allows games developed for the original Switch to continue reaching a broad audience even after players have upgraded. Consequently, Nintendo now considers its software business holistically, encompassing titles for both the Switch and Switch 2.
While Nintendo is developing a dedicated lineup for the Switch 2, including titles like 'Star Fox' and 'Splatoon Raiders,' the original Switch is nearing the end of its lifecycle. The company released 'Rhythm Heaven Groove' for the original Switch in July and plans to leverage its substantial install base and existing game catalog to drive software sales. However, no further first-party Nintendo games are currently announced for the original Switch after 'Groove.'
