Amid recent rumors and leaks of games and hardware specifications for Nintendo’s next console, the Japanese video game company officially introduced the Nintendo Switch’s successor, simply called the Nintendo Switch 2, on January 16. In the brief two-minute-long trailer showcasing the Nintendo Switch 2, the new console is shown to feature a roughly eight-inch LCD screen, about two inches bigger than the standard Switch, and Joy-Cons that are several millimeters taller than the standard Switch’s. The trailer concluded with a statement that the console will be able to play Nintendo Switch 2 and original Switch games, save for a select few titles. Based on these sparse details, it can be hypothesized which games won’t work on the Nintendo Switch 2.
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Nintendo Switch Games and Accessories That May Be Incompatible With The Switch 2
Much like Nintendo consoles of old, the Nintendo Switch featured several games that were intended to work solely with its specifications. While most games can be played with standard Joy-Cons or pro controllers, some require the Joy-Cons to work in conjunction with accessories and other games allow players to use alternate controllers. One example of the latter is Pokemon: Let’s Go Eevee! and Pikachu!’s Poke Ball Plus. This Poke Ball shaped controller served as an alternate Joy-Con used to imitate throwing Poke Balls to catch Pokémon in Let’s Go and light up when near a Poke Stop or Pokemon in Pokemon GO. However, the Poke Ball works only with Let’s Go games and unknown software complications could make it difficult to connect to the Nintendo Switch 2.
One game that may not entirely work on the Nintendo Switch 2 is Ring Fit Adventure. This fantastical exercise-focused game comes with two accessories: the Ring-Con and a leg strap. Both are used to house Joy-Cons for the game to interpret the player’s movements as they run around and squeeze and move the Ring-Con in its various game modes. While the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons may barely be able to fit in Ring Fit Adventure’s leg strap, they likely won’t be compatible with the Ring-Con. This accessory requires the right Joy-Con to be slid into it and, given the Switch 2 Joy-Cons’ larger size and seemingly magnetic pin connection, the Switch 2 Joy-Cons won’t fit in the Ring-Con, making Ring Fit Adventure unplayable.
Issues With Nintendo Labo On The Nintendo Switch 2
In 2018, Nintendo released one of its more unique and experimental games ever seen in the form of Nintendo Labo for the Nintendo Switch. Based on its slogan of Make, Play, Discover, Labo was designed to make use of the Switch’s unique hardware combined with the seemingly infinite crafting ability of cardboard. Several kits for Labo were released providing instructions for players to build external accessories out of cardboard to play a variety of unique games, such as fishing, playing a piano, VR, and fighting like a giant robot. However, each of these cardboard designs were meant for the Switch’s unique screen and Joy-Con size, making it virtually impossible for the Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware to fit into Labo’s cardboard kits.
Possible Fixes for Unusual Switch Games on Nintendo Switch 2
While the Poke Ball Plus, Ring Fit Adventure, and Nintendo Labo may not be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 upon its immediate release, Nintendo could rectify these issues in many ways. In regard to the Poke Ball Plus, if it’s unable to connect to the Switch 2, Nintendo could release an updated version of the controller for the new console or release a new version of it alongside long-desired Johto sequels to the Pokemon: Let’s Go games. Nintendo could also sell larger Ring-Cons to accommodate current Ring Fit players or release a sequel to Ring Fit Adventure for the Switch 2. Ring Fit Adventure has sold over 15 million copies worldwide since 2019, so there is an active audience for exercise-focused Switch games.
Nintendo Labo’s current game mechanics and cardboard kits can’t be adapted to the Nintendo Switch 2 as easily as the Poke Ball or Ring Fit Adventure. Instead, Nintendo could release a Nintendo Labo 2 or a spiritual successor to Nintendo Labo for the upcoming console. While Labo hasn’t sold as well as Adventure, selling over 1.3 million copies of its Variety Kit by 2020, it was critically praised for its creativity and won many awards, such as the 2019 Games for Change Game of the Year Award. A Nintendo Labo 2 for the Nintendo Switch 2 could build on the original’s strengths and flaws and continue Nintendo’s legacy of unique, imaginative video games.
The only Nintendo game revealed for the Nintendo Switch 2 so far is a new, currently unnamed version of Mario Kart.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for April 2, 2025.
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Nintendo
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2025-00-00