Nintendo Switch 2 Developer Uncovers Why Some Switch 1 Games Aren’t Backwards Compatible

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The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is compatible with most games from the original Switch, and often, they run smoother than before. However, not all games are playable on the newer model. Some games may still have performance or startup issues, for which Nintendo and its developers are actively searching for solutions. Interestingly, it appears that Limited Run Games has discovered why certain titles aren’t functioning properly on the new system.

Limited Run Games has encountered problems with several games on the latest gaming system, including titles they’ve published such as “Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection” and “Clock Tower: Rewind,” developed by WayForward. In an interview with Time Extension (through Nintendo Life), Limited Run Games CEO Josh Fairhurst suggested that a specific piece of code might be the culprit for these issues, not just affecting games they’ve contributed to, but also impacting games from other companies.

The problem with backward compatibility stems from a specific piece of code used for video playback on the initial Nintendo Switch. We’ve brought this code to Nintendo’s attention, and we’re optimistic that it will be resolved as an update for the Switch 2’s backward compatibility in due time. It seems that this particular code may also be causing troubles with games from various other publishers, according to Fairhurst’s comments to Time Extension.

As an enthusiast, I can share that Limited Run Games recently disclosed they’ve only had two weeks to work with the Nintendo Switch 2 development hardware. This aligns with reports from Insider Gaming at the end of March, suggesting many third-party developers are still awaiting dev kits for the new system. It seems Nintendo has primarily been distributing these kits to industry giants like Sega, Capcom, and CD Projekt Red since its launch, which might be a strategy to maintain secrecy regarding Switch 2. However, this approach appears to have shortened the timeframe for addressing potential issues with existing software.

It’s great news that Limited Run Games’ recent discovery might alleviate some of the compatibility problems with Nintendo Switch 2. Although the number of games experiencing issues is minimal, it’s understandably aggravating for those who have invested in these problematic titles. In my evaluation of Nintendo Switch 2, I decided to test Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection to assess performance on the new system. However, I soon encountered a crash that wouldn’t let me even reach the main menu. Here’s hoping Nintendo addresses this proposed solution promptly.

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2025-06-09 16:09