Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma FAQ Suggests Some Physical Switch 2 Cartridges Will Be Playable on Switch 1

To headdress disconnected 2 weeks of questions, confusion, and occasional answers astir Nintendo Switch 2 pricing, pre-orders, DLC, Switch 2 Edition upgrades, controllers, and more, here's different weird script to adhd to the pile. According to an FAQ from Marvelous connected the upcoming crippled Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, astatine slightest immoderate Nintendo Switch 2 carnal cartridges volition beryllium compatible with the Nintendo Switch 1.

This comes from this Marvelous FAQ, which includes the following:

This suggests you tin acquisition the Nintendo Switch 2 variation of Guardians of Azuma, and slot it into a Nintendo Switch 1 to play the Nintendo Switch 1 variation of the crippled if you truthful choose. If this is so the case, this is the archetypal clip we're proceeding of the quality to play definite Switch 2 cartridges connected the Switch 1.

We've known for a portion that astir Switch 1 games volition beryllium compatible with Switch 2. We besides cognize that games that are exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 (Mario Kart World, for instance), oregon Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Switch 1 games (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition, with each the upgrades), won't beryllium playable connected the Switch 1. But the question of whether you tin conscionable instrumentality Switch 2 cartridges and plug them into the Switch 1 to get the Switch 1 mentation of the aforesaid crippled has been up successful the aerial truthful far. Some players person spotted an representation successful the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour that suggested a tiny "notch" successful the integrative of Switch 2 cartridges mightiness forestall that from being the case, but whether that notch is preventative oregon not remains to beryllium seen.

It's besides unclear arsenic to however precisely galore games this volition use to. We cognize that first-party and immoderate third-party carnal Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games volition see some the basal crippled and the Switch 2 Edition upgrades connected the cartridge, portion different third-parties whitethorn take to merchandise Switch 2 Edition games arsenic download codes successful carnal packaging. Additionally, immoderate boxed Nintendo Switch 2 games volition not really person the crippled connected the cartridge, but alternatively volition incorporate a game-key paper that volition let you to download the crippled erstwhile you insert it.

So essentially, erstwhile you acquisition a Nintendo Switch 2 boxed crippled astatine retail, you mightiness beryllium getting immoderate of the following:

• A carnal Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive crippled cartridge that lone works connected the Switch 2
• A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition crippled that has a Nintendo Switch 1 mentation connected the cartridge, arsenic good arsenic a Switch 2 upgrade, that whitethorn oregon whitethorn not beryllium playable connected some Switch 2 and successful its basal mentation connected the Switch 1
• A game-key paper that doesn't person the crippled connected it, but allows you to download the crippled successful question (and whitethorn oregon whitethorn not besides beryllium usable connected the Switch 1 arsenic well)
• A carnal container with a download cardinal for the Switch 2 that whitethorn oregon whitethorn not enactment connected the Switch 1 arsenic well

If each this has your caput spinning, you're not alone. It's been a confusing thrust trying to benignant retired what, exactly, you'll beryllium purchasing erstwhile you bargain boxed Nintendo Switch 2 games, and Nintendo has been hesitant to measurement successful and clarify things conscionable far. We reached retired to Nintendo for remark connected Marvelous' FAQ, specifically asking if it's existent that immoderate Switch 2 cartridges volition beryllium playable connected Switch 1 and if so, which. We'll update this communicative if much accusation surfaces.

Rebekah Valentine is simply a elder newsman for IGN. You tin find her posting connected BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a communicative tip? Send it to [email protected].