During the Wii U era,Nintendohad hit a bit of a rough patch. The console was not selling very well, and the games were nonexistent. There was just no interest in whatNintendowas pumping out, and many fans decided to turn elsewhere. However, the studio was not out of the fight yet, and the Nintendo Switch would usher in a brand-new era for this iconic company that will hopefully carry on for years to come.
The internet is filled with rumors that Nintendo is hard at work on its next console. That makes it an exciting time to be a fan, but it also means that the Nintendo Switch’s days are numbered. New hardware means new fantastic games, but it could also mean the Switch’s library will get left behind. Nintendo needs to ensure that does not happen, and the best way to do that would bethrough Switch backwards compatibility.
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The Nintendo Switch Has an Impressive Library
The Nintendo Switch has had one of the best video game lineups in history. It has played host to innovative new experiences likeZelda: Tears of the Kingdom, celebrations of entire franchises likeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, fantastic new entries in iconic franchises likeAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, and a resurgence in party games withNintendo Switch SportsandMario Party Superstars. Over six years, Nintendo has pumped out some of its greatest games and helped cement the Nintendo Switch as one of the best-selling consoles of all time.
Nintendo has put a lot of work into making the Nintendo Switch worth the price of admission. Fans did not know what to expectafter the disappointing Wii U era, but the studio has surprised them with a plethora of new unique experiences. Almost every year a new Switch system seller hits store shelves, and practically every single classic Nintendo franchise has thrived on the console.
Nintendo Cannot Leave Switch’s Library Behind
WhenNintendo eventually launches its next console, the days of the Nintendo Switch will come to an end. If the console has quality games, then fans will likely flock to it. Switches everywhere will begin to collect dust, get boxed up, or be sold. It is an endless cycle in the video game industry, but the Switch’s games will hopefully not be cast aside with the console.
The massive library that Nintendo built deserves to carry over to whatever it produces next. Both the Xbox Series X and PS5 are backwards compatible with their predecessors, and Nintendo’s next console needs to follow suit. Not including a form of backwards compatibility would do a disservice to the Switch’s impressive library, the playerbase, and the brand. While Nintendo may just bundle the games with whatever replaces Nintendo Switch Online, it needs to be a built-in feature at no extra charge.
This would not be the first time that Nintendo included backwards compatibility in its consoles. Most of its handheld devices were compatible with their direct predecessor, and home consoles like the Wii couldstill play GameCube games. The Nintendo Switch is actually one of the first Nintendo consoles that has no form of built-in backwards compatibility, and its successor will hopefully not follow its lead.
It would be a shame ifNintendo left the Switch’s librarybehind once its next console hits store shelves. Players should be able to bring their game libraries with them across generations, and the titles deserve to shine on new hardware. While there has been no official word about new hardware, ifNintendodoes not include backwards compatibility then it may face an uphill battle with its playerbase.
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