One of the biggest unresolved issues to emerge from the recent Nintendo Switch 2 launch event has been cleared up, though the matter of Switch accessory compatibility isn’t totally straightforward.
It felt slightly odd that Nintendo didn’t give even a cursory mention to the matter of original Switch accessory compatibility during yesterday’s lengthy Switch 2 Direct event.
This led some worrywarts to fret that Nintendo was cutting off its original Switch ecosystem in a cynical money-grabbing exercise.
Thankfully the company has put such worries to rest through a series of help pages, though it requires a little explanation. There’s one particularly annoying caveat, as well as other limitations, but let’s take the overwhelmingly positive news first.
Nintendo
Which controllers are compatible with the Switch 2?
It seems that all original Switch controllers approved by Nintendo will be compatible with the Switch 2. That includes:
- Joy-Con Controllers
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Nintendo Entertainment System Controller
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller
- Nintendo 64 Controller
- Sega Mega Drive (aka Genesis) Control Pad
- Nintendo GameCube Controller Adapter
It will also be compatible with the Ring-Con released specifically for the Ring Fit Adventure game, though you’ll need the original Joy-Con controllers to make it work.
Nintendo
Why can I sense a ‘But’ coming?
Besides our headline, you mean? Probably because you’re a grizzled old cynic, just like us.
Ever fond of confounding decisions that make life just that bit more awkward than it needs to be, Nintendo has issued a bizarre caveat to the aforementioned compatibility list.
While all of those original Switch accessories are technically compatible, they’re not quite feature-complete. Nintendo notes that “You cannot exit sleep mode on Nintendo Switch 2 using the Home Button on Nintendo Switch controllers”.
In other words, if you sit down to play a Switch game using an original Switch controller on your shiny new Nintendo Switch 2 console, you’ll need to first start the console up with a Switch 2 controller before switching over to the older input method.
Nintendo
There are other limitations to be aware of too, including charging. Since the Switch 2 has larger and magnetic Joy-Cons, you’ll still need to charge older Joy-Cons with existing methods (mainly a Switch console, charging grip or charging stand).
You also need older Joy-Cons to play certain games, including the aforementioned Ring Fit Adventure. For games like this, it’s because the new Joy-Cons are too large to slot into the accessory, and for some others, it’s typically because they require the IR sensor, which the Switch 2 controllers don’t have.
Here’s a full list:
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit
- Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit
- 1-2-Switch
- Game Builder Garage
- Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training for Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch Sports
- WarioWare: Move It!
- Everybody 1-2-Switch! (only affects vibration on Hide & Seek game)
Those hoping they’d be able to get away with not buying a new Pro Controller for extended play sessions might feel ever so slightly deflated at the news.
Fundamentally, though, you’ll still be able to use all your old Switch controllers on the Switch 2.
