Does Nintendo’s Switch Successor Need Backward Compatibility? Yep, and Here’s Why
Backward compatibility goes a long way for a system.
It does. There’s no getting around it. We go and build up this large library for a previous console. Then when the new console is announced, we don’t mind getting brand new games for it, but there’s a creature comfort in being able to play your older games on the system.
PlayStation does not do this much. It does offer a nice backward compatible library on PlayStation Plus Premium, with PS3 games available to stream and some PS1/PS2 games remastered for the PS4/PS5 platforms. But that’s really about it.
Xbox Series S and X, however, arerunning wild. Along with compatibility with various Xbox and Xbox 360 games, the systems also support a majority of Xbox One releases. Not to mention the 4K support and upgrades it gives to a number of these games. Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed has never looked this good. Except maybe on Steam.
So, yeah, when it comes to the Super Nintendo Switch (the name I’ve given the Nintendo Switch successor, it’s not official or anything), backward compatibility is a given. Nintendo hasn’t confirmed such a feature just yet, but it has to happen.
And the reason? It’s the same that makes Xbox backward compatibility work so well — a lot of people own the games.
Sure, they want new games that take advantage of the system, but imagine if Nintendo threw a feature into its Super Nintendo Switch that would enable it to “gussy” up older games. Like giving Breath of the Wild the option to run at a beautiful 60 frames per second. That’s the hardware talking.
It can be done. After all, Binary Domain, Mad Max and a handful of other Xbox games support that feature. And Rockstar recently applied a neat little 60 FPS option to Red Dead Redemption on PS5 that reportedly makes it run like a champ.
And if you need further evidence, let’s look at lifetime game sales for a number of Nintendo Switch games. I’m starting to think there isn’t a person on the planet that hasn’t touched Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at one point.
These come from Nintendo’s recent sales report:
- MK 8 Deluxe — 60.58m
- Animal Crossing: NH — 44.79m
- Smash Ultimate — 33.67m
- Zelda: BOTW — 31.61m
- Super Mario Odyssey — 27.65m
- Pokémon Sword/Shield — 26.17m
- Pokémon Scarlet/Violet — 24.36m
- Super Mario Party — 20.34
- Zelda: TOTK — 20.28m
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe — 17.20m
This is on top of the nearly 139 million Nintendo Switch units sold, along with Super Mario Bros. Wonder clearing nearly 12 million units sold in three months and Super Mario RPG Remake outselling the original with a massive 3.14 million units sold in under two months.
So, yes, people are still enjoying these games. Even after all these years. And if the Super Nintendo Switch can provide benefits that keep these games selling — while at the same time providing awareness of the rad new games on the platform — that’ll go well.
Now comes the question — what about those that own a Nintendo Switch and want to play the Super Nintendo Switch games? Welp, time to upgrade. Sorry, trying to compromise for a less powerful platform isn’t the easiest strategy to go with. Just ask anyone trying to program on an Xbox Series S. It’s not bad, but it’s no X, let’s be honest.
And besides, sometimes you just have to move on. And it gives you all the excuse to go out and buy that spiffy collector’s edition of the Super Nintendo Switch that’s themed to Metroid Prime 4. Laugh all you like, but I can see it happening.
Backward compatibility goes a long way for a system. Even the 3DS benefitted from being able to play classic DS games, as well as a number of downloadable Game Boy Advance and other games. People want these retro options, as it brings them on board with the hardware and opens up possibilities of them buying new games for it. It’s a win-win-win.
Have a great week, everyone!
