After years of rumors, Nintendo finally revealed all the details about the Switch 2 this week, and it’s…confusing? I was pretty excited to tune into Wednesday’s Nintendo Direct, but I came out of it with many questions, particularly about game accessory compatibility.
The Switch 2 has its own Joy-Con and Pro Controllers, but what about the accessories I already own for my Switch 1? The ecosystems are largely the same, right? Yes, but there are caveats.
Can I Use My Switch 1 Controllers With Switch 2?
You likely have several gamepads for the first-gen Nintendo Switch. The good news is you can use them with the Switch 2. The Joy-Con controllers and Switch Pro Controller can be paired wirelessly with the new console.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
While the Pro Controller can be connected to the Switch 2 dock via the USB charging cable, the Joy-Cons won’t be able to physically connect because they lack the magnets in the Switch 2. This likely applies to any third-party Joy-Con replacements as well. You’ll need a charging grip or charging station to juice them up. The Grip and Charging Grip for the Switch also won’t work with Switch 2 controls. And the Switch controllers don’t have the C button to access the new GameChat feature on the Switch 2, if that’s important to you.
If you own any of the retro controllers released by Nintendo, you’ll still be able to wirelessly connect them. The Nintendo Entertainment System Controllers can’t connect to the Switch 2, so you’ll need a charging accessory to power it. However, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller, Nintendo 64 Controller, and Sega Genesis Control Pad can each be connected to the Switch 2 dock via a USB cable for charging.
Note that you’ll actually need Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch if you plan to play certain games on the Switch 2. Ring Fit Adventure, 1-2-Switch, Everybody 1-2-Switch!, Game Builder Garage, Nintendo Switch Sports, and WarioWare: Move It! all require Switch Joy-Cons. If you have the Leg Strap or Ring-Con accessories, they can’t be used with Switch 2 Joy-Cons.
(Credit: Nintendo)
What Should I Do With the Switch Dock, Charger, and Cables?
The Nintendo Switch came with a Dock, AC adapter, and HDMI cable in the box. But don’t expect to reuse these accessories for a more adaptable Switch 2 setup. The Nintendo Switch Dock and Adjustable Charging Stand are not compatible with the new console.
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The HDMI cable that came with the Switch 1 also won’t be compatible with the Switch 2, since it can’t handle the data transfers of the new console. Instead, you’ll need a cable capable of supporting 4K or 1080p and up to 120fps.
There’s better news about the AC adapter. It can charge the console in handheld mode, but you won’t be able to connect it to the Switch 2 Dock and charge while in TV mode.
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(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Can I Use My microSD Card?
The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, a huge improvement over the 32GB on the original. However, one of the biggest blows to your Switch setup is that the microSD card you bought to store games won’t work with the Switch 2. To transfer saved games, you’ll need to do a console-to-console data transfer.
If you want to expand the storage capacity of the Switch 2, you’ll need to buy a brand-new microSD card because the new system only works with microSD Express, which allows for faster reading and writing times. Right now, you can buy SanDisk microSD Express cards for $60 (256GB) and $45 (128GB).
For a complete rundown on accessory compatibility, see Nintendo’s documentation.
About Jason Cohen
Senior Editor, Help & How To
