This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Nintendo has had a trend for the past couple decades of releasing "sequel" consoles that are essentially a modernized version of the old one with extra features, compatible with everything that released on the predecessor.
With all three major console manufacturers prioritizing backwards compatibility, and the rise in PC gaming (universally backwards compatible), people are starting to catch on to the fact that old games don't "expire" after 10 years. I wouldn't be surprised if backwards compatibility just becomes the standard for all gaming consoles going forward.
Tangential, but I'm also interested in seeing how games that released on old consoles and are continued to be played, like Fortnite, will support aging hardware. I don't like that Epic can one day announce the game just no longer works on that console, rendering your purchases null and void until you upgrade your hardware, but I can't expect them to update that version of the game forever.
They're being purposely coy though on what this actually means. Backwards compatibility with digital/e-games, or backwards compatible with the physical carts?
It would really be surprising if it wasn't backwards compatible. The Switch breaking backwards compatibility was exceptional, apart from that every Nintendo console since the Wii on the stationary side and the GameBoy Color on the handheld side had at least one generation of backwards compatibility.
Huh, I'd been assuming the Switch 2 would be AMD Z2 based. I guess they've managed to convince nVidia to make them another SoC. A little surprised, would have thought nVidia would want to use any spare fab time for AI chips, though maybe they have some older process capacity?
I really love when backwards compatibility is incorporated in new products. I’m pleasantly surprised because Nintendo has been bit so many times. For example GameCube compatibility on Wii is why we had hacked Wii so quickly.
Unfortunately it looks like they will again use a very outdated SoC, likely one that doesn't even match a several years old Steam Deck. Probably an 8nm chip, based on Nvidia's outdated Ampere architecture. See e.g. here https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1fjy...
Which would mean the SoC is even more outdated than the Switch 1 SoC was at launch. Reason is probably that Nintendo originally wanted to release the new hardware significantly earlier.
I really don't understand why they are planning those chips apparently many years in advance, when some other manufacturer (AMD, Qualcomm, Intel, MediaTek) could have supplied a more modern SoC without many modifications in a relatively short timeframe at a better price than Nvidia.
This would have made backwards compatibility more difficult, but I don't think this is that big of an issue anyway. Nintendo often didn't have it in the past, and few people complained. After all, old games can still be played on the old hardware.
Despite this I am interested in what their next console will be. If it's backwards compatible, I guess it will still be cartridged-based... or will they save on the pennies with a cartrige-less system (perhaps one with a cartridge slot.. another without)? I mean it can still be backwards compatible for online purchases.
Anyway - I look forward to a proper unveil of the system. I guess it will be announced after xmas to not affect sales on the switch one last time.
Will the new system be a handheld+tv system? Its very likely due to the success of the Switch. What new ideas could they be doing? I am expecting some new things. I wouldn't be surprised if it comes with some headstrap for VR. :-)
Sadly the only "issue" I have with Nintendo's new systems is that they make out its current gen, but it isn't long before it struggles to gain the same quality and performance of newer games down the line. How will be compare with the latest current gen systems, let along the new ones.
I would be more excited if they released it in console form instead of an iPad with a docking station; N64 was basically the perfect form factor -- load games manually (tactilely) and no fussing with bluetooth or controller charging; and prioritize local co-op games instead of online play.
You'd hope so, but this is likely a move to placate detractors so the army of Nintendo fans buy whatever insanely underpowered and overpriced device they eventually release.
So another six years of fractured marketing, where you need a spreadsheet to know if the game you want to buy will run on your device. Is it for the Switch, the Switch 2, the Switch 2 Advanced, or the Switch 2 Advanced S AI Cloud VR?
Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with Switch
(videogameschronicle.com)361 points by ashitlerferad 6 November 2024 | 217 comments
Comments
With all three major console manufacturers prioritizing backwards compatibility, and the rise in PC gaming (universally backwards compatible), people are starting to catch on to the fact that old games don't "expire" after 10 years. I wouldn't be surprised if backwards compatibility just becomes the standard for all gaming consoles going forward.
Tangential, but I'm also interested in seeing how games that released on old consoles and are continued to be played, like Fortnite, will support aging hardware. I don't like that Epic can one day announce the game just no longer works on that console, rendering your purchases null and void until you upgrade your hardware, but I can't expect them to update that version of the game forever.
Bonus if they invent an AI that can fix the crash bugs in the binary.
Which would mean the SoC is even more outdated than the Switch 1 SoC was at launch. Reason is probably that Nintendo originally wanted to release the new hardware significantly earlier.
I really don't understand why they are planning those chips apparently many years in advance, when some other manufacturer (AMD, Qualcomm, Intel, MediaTek) could have supplied a more modern SoC without many modifications in a relatively short timeframe at a better price than Nvidia.
This would have made backwards compatibility more difficult, but I don't think this is that big of an issue anyway. Nintendo often didn't have it in the past, and few people complained. After all, old games can still be played on the old hardware.
Despite this I am interested in what their next console will be. If it's backwards compatible, I guess it will still be cartridged-based... or will they save on the pennies with a cartrige-less system (perhaps one with a cartridge slot.. another without)? I mean it can still be backwards compatible for online purchases.
Anyway - I look forward to a proper unveil of the system. I guess it will be announced after xmas to not affect sales on the switch one last time.
Will the new system be a handheld+tv system? Its very likely due to the success of the Switch. What new ideas could they be doing? I am expecting some new things. I wouldn't be surprised if it comes with some headstrap for VR. :-)
Sadly the only "issue" I have with Nintendo's new systems is that they make out its current gen, but it isn't long before it struggles to gain the same quality and performance of newer games down the line. How will be compare with the latest current gen systems, let along the new ones.
Con: Assuming native compatibility, this likely won’t be a very exciting console.