Nintendo just revealed a big feature for its upcoming next-generation Switch: The new console will be backward-compatible with existing Switch games. In its second-quarter earnings report released on Tuesday,

Nintendo hasn’t announced its Switch successor yet, but we do know one thing for sure: it will be able to play current Switch games and have carryover for your Nintendo Switch Online services and account. The news was announced during Nintendo’s midyear policy briefing, with further information promised “at a later date.”

Since the launch of the Nintendo Switch in 2017, the Pokemon franchise has released two generations worth of games, remakes, and spin-offs. As the hybrid console nears the end of its life cycle, Nintendo has revealed that the Pokemon series has combined for a staggering 99 million units sold on the Switch.

It's unclear yet how the Switch successor will approach backward compatibility, but Nintendo is promising details at a later date on this feature.

There's good news if you've got a huge Switch library, as the Nintendo Switch 2 will officially be backwards compatible with old games.

The top 10 best-selling Switch games were shaken up by 2022's Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which has been climbing the ranks alongside 2023's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The best-selling Switch game is unlikely to ever be dethroned, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe consistently sitting at the top of the console's software sales chart.

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Backwards compatibility between the Nintendo Switch 2 and its predecessor has been confirmed.

Nintendo will allow current Switch games to be played on the hit console’s successor, as it looks to drum up excitement among its current user base.

According to an earlier leak, the Switch 2 reportedly has a card slot. However, the message doesn’t confirm the new Switch will be able to play physical Switch games. The message from Nintendo says, “Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch, will be announced at a later date.”

"At today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch," Nintendo posted in a social media update attributed to company president Shintaro Furukawa. "Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well."