Emulators on Nintendo Switch 2
| Top: Nintendo Switch 2 logo Middle: In "handheld mode" with Joy-Con 2 attached Bottom: In "TV mode" with Joy-Con 2 attached to a grip and the main unit docked | |
| Developer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Foxconn |
| Type | Hybrid video game console |
| Generation | Ninth |
| Release date | WW: June 5, 2025 PHL/SG/TH: June 26, 2025 MY: July 3, 2025 TW: July 10, 2025 UAE: September 17, 2025 ARG: October 10, 2025 |
| Predecessor | Nintendo Switch |
| Emulated | ✗ |
- For software that emulates the Switch 2, see Nintendo Switch 2 emulators.
Along with the Nintendo Classics emulators that are also on the original Switch, Nintendo GameCube emulation is available to Switch 2 users with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. Additionally, rewind functionality has been added to the Nintendo 64 apps when played on Switch 2.
Standalone Switch 1 releases that includes emulators might have issues during in-game or does not boot up. Nintendo opened a website where players can search about backwards compatibility on Switch 2 in November 2025.[1] Note that such website does not cover titles who have been delisted from Nintendo eShop, so, games such as Sega Genesis Classics are not covered by it.
Emulators
editMulti-system
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcade Archives 2 | N/A | High | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
| Console Archives | N/A | Mid High |
Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Nintendo
editGame Boy / Game Boy Color
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy - Nintendo Classics |
3.0.0 | Low | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Game Boy Advance
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics |
3.0.0 | High | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Nintendo 64
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics (including the "Mature" variant) |
4.0.0 2.0.0 (Mature) |
Low | Proprietary | ✓ | ~ |
Nintendo Entertainment System
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics |
8.0.0 | Mid | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Nintendo GameCube
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics |
1.0.0 | ? | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics |
5.0.0 | Mid | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Virtual Boy
edit| Name | Latest version | Accuracy | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics |
1.0.0 | ? | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Compatibility Mode (nnCompat)
edit| Name | Platform(s) | Latest Version | Hardware features and peripherals |
Enhancements | Compatibility | License | Active | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nnCompat | 22.5.0 | ~ | ~ | 98% | Proprietary | ✓ | ✓ |
Nintendo Switch 2 contains a compatibility layer called nnCompat[2] for running Nintendo Switch titles. Not all titles are compatible with the system, with certain ones being unable to boot or having glitches. Markedly, Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit is noted as incompatible with Nintendo Switch 2 due to the system and Joy-Con 2 controllers having bigger dimensions than the original system and Joy-Cons; however, unlike other incompatible titles, the system does not prevent you from running VR Kit. Certain streaming apps such as Abema (Japan), niconico (Japan), Hulu (Japan), Crunchyroll (Americas and Europe) and InkyPen (Americas and Europe) are also not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.