this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2023
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Switch 2 hinted for an early 2024 launch (gamerant.com)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago

Let's look at the track record.

Backwards compatible handhelds:

  • GameBoy Colour (to GB)
  • Gameboy Advance (to GBC)
  • Nintendo DS (to GBA)
  • Nintendo 3DS (to DS)

Home consoles:

  • Wii (to GC)
  • Wii U (to Wii)

Not backwards compatible:

  • SNES
  • VirtualBoy
  • Nintendo 64
  • GameCube
  • Switch

Lack of backwards compatibility to the previous generation has usually followed from a change in media format, and even then there has been a willingness to make an effort (the DS with its two slots being the prime example). Backwards compatibility seems to be a good way to ensure a wide selection of games at launch, and the negative aspect (not being able to sell the re-releases of the same games yet again to those desperate enough) seems to be outweighed by the positive (availability of games at launch; maintained interest in games from previous generation).

There's no real reason for Switch cartridges to grow any smaller, and I doubt they'll go back to discs. So I would say there's a pretty good chance of backward compatibility.