Summary
Earlier this year,rumours began circulatingthat the new Nintendo Switch console would be backwards compatible, which insiders such asTvPHandNateTheHatelater supported. However, the recent Game Freak hack provides the most concrete evidence thus far.
As reported byCentro, the Switch 2 “seems to use the same tools and ROM format Nintendo currently uses for Switch 1 (ROMs are still [Nintendo Submission Packages]), but obviously they have new encryption keys that only Nintendo has”.
While the Switch 2 is expected to launch next year, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will reportedly launch on the first Switch.
As Nintendo explains,“ROMs are copies of the read-only memory contained in game cartridges or disks”. So, this would mean that the Switch 2 inherently supports original Switch games, making it backwards compatible.
Given that such functionality has become the norm this generation, with the PS5 supporting PS4 games, and the Xbox Series X/S supporting Xbox One games, not to mention Nintendo’s own rich history of backwards compatibility, it certainly makes sense.
This Might Explain The Harsher Crackdown On Emulation
As many are speculating, this might be why Nintendo is so adamant about cracking down on emulators right now, eventargeting YouTubers using emulated footage.
It came to light in February thatNintendo was suing Switch emulator Yuzu, while Ryujinx, another major Switch emulator, went offline a couple of weeks ago.Denuvo also announced last August new “Nintendo Switch Emulator Protection"that would allow developers to block their games on PC.
Since the Switch 2 appears to be backwards compatible, using the same ROM format, emulators would have an immediate headstart when the console finally debuts. Cracking down pre-emptively is likely Nintendo’s way to prevent its games from being pirated on PC from day one.
We still don’t have a date for the Switch 2. Nintendo hasn’t even properly announced it, only revealing that it does in fact exist and that it’slaunching “within fiscal year”. That at least gives us a window, from now until April 2025, so hopefully we’ll find out more about the console from Nintendo itself soon enough.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is both a home console and a handheld gaming system in one package, with various versions offering better specs for dedicated enthusiasts.
