Whereas Nintendo had confirmed that the Swap 2 enable gamers to play Swap video games by means of backwards compatibility, the corporate has now revealed extra particulars on how this works. In an Ask the Developer Q&A, Swap 2 director Takuhiro Dohta revealed that backwards compatibility on the upcoming console isn’t the results of it that includes {hardware} from the unique Swap.
For context, the Nintendo 3DS was in a position to play video games made for the DS because of it together with a few of the older handheld’s {hardware}. The PS2 equally was in a position to make use of embedded PSOne {hardware} to play older titles. In keeping with Dohta, technical concerns made it tough for Nintendo to method backwards compatibility in the identical approach on the Swap 2.
“Once we first began Swap 2 growth, the main focus was on enhancing its efficiency as {hardware}, particularly, increasing its capability,” mentioned Dohta. “So, compatibility was a decrease precedence. For instance, Nintendo DS video games have been playable on Nintendo 3DS, and Wii video games have been playable on Wii U, however it was tough to attain the identical degree of compatibility with Swap 2, as a result of the {hardware} design method was completely different from these techniques.”
Swap 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto added on to the assertion, explaining how backwards compatibility labored in Nintendo’s earlier consoles. The Swap 2, however, doesn’t embrace any of the {hardware} from the unique Swap.
“Merely put, these techniques have been suitable as a result of Nintendo 3DS contained Nintendo DS {hardware} and Wii U contained Wii {hardware},” mentioned Kawamoto. “Nevertheless, Swap 2 doesn’t comprise any Swap {hardware}.”
Dohta describes the method to backwards compatibility on the Swap 2 as being “one thing that’s someplace in between a software program emulator and {hardware} compatibility.” By way of this, the brand new console is ready to persuade a sport into pondering that it’s operating on the unique Swap. For its half, the Swap 2 converts the sport’s Swap knowledge in real-time as the sport is operating.
Presently, Nintendo has revealed that round 122 of its personal video games, together with greater than 15,000 third-party video games might be playable on the Swap 2 by means of backwards compatibility. There are additionally some Swap video games that might face compatibility points with the Swap 2 owing to the required devoted {hardware}. This consists of titles like 1-2-Swap, Ring Match Journey, and Sport Builder Storage, amongst others, because of quirks of the Pleasure-Con and Pleasure-Con 2 controllers.
Dohta had beforehand talked about that operating Swap video games on the Swap 2 would additionally result in higher efficiency and stability for the video games owing to the upcoming console’s stronger {hardware}. He famous that, even when a participant doesn’t purchase the Swap 2 Version improve packs, they’ll nonetheless get pleasure from a greater expertise with the video games on the brand new console because of options like GameChat.
Swap 2 Version improve packs, however, will supply improved experiences for a number of Swap video games, together with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Tremendous Mario Occasion Jamboree. The improve packs will even usher in new content material for some video games, whereas others will solely get efficiency and backbone boosts.
The Nintendo Swap 2 is slated for launch on June 5. Take a look at our protection of the latest Direct for extra particulars.
