Explained: Switch 2 Games Work & Don't Work On Original Switch Hardware

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RoXolid Productions

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Published on June 21, 2025 5:09:30 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXYX1o5J7CY

Game:

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

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Nintendo has not done a great job in communicating backward and forward compatibility with the Nintendo Switch and Switch Cartridges and Key Cards. I recently posted a video showing what happens when you try to use Nintendo Switch 2 dedicated cartridges in a Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED or Switch Lite. The older systems will throw an error stating that the cartridge will only work on the Switch 2. Many people commented on that video, arguing that Switch 2 games do actually work on the Original Switch, pointing out that the Switch 2 versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom work on both versions of hardware. So, where does the truth lie?

Check out our original video at    • What Happens When You Use Switch 2 Games &...  

Switch 2 Games
Games such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza have specifically been designed for the Nintendo Switch 2, and you will only be able to play the games directly on the new systems. Now, there can be Game Share features where you can use the original Switch Hardware, but the core game needs to run and be hosted on a Nintendo Switch 2.

Switch 1 Games:
A vast majority of Nintendo Switch games will run beautifully on Switch 2 hardware. Some games, in fact, will run better on the Switch 2 even without any specific Switch 2 enhancements. WWE 2K18, for example, is a dumpster fire on the original Switch but plays as it should and you'd expect on the Switch 2.

Switch 2 Enhanced Games
Games such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Super Mario 3D World, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom have enhancements you can download and update your Switch 1 game with, or you can simply buy a "Switch 2" version of. The Switch 2 versions are basically the Switch 1 Game and include access to the enhancements. These are designed for those who never bought the Switch version of a game and own a Switch 2 and want to play the games. Think of these as a "Player's Choice" versions of the game with quality of life enhancements.

So what's the case? Do Switch 2 games work on the original Switch? The convoluted answer is No, Yes, and Sometimes. Clear as mud, right?

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