A Major Switch 2 Feature Confirmations Reveals Why Nintendo Has Been Cracking Down So Hard on Emulators

The anticipation surrounding the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been building for months. With numerous leaks, rumors, and Nintendo’s ongoing legal actions against emulators, it was clear the company was preparing something big. Finally, the suspicions have now been confirmed: the upcoming console will be backward compatible with previous-generation games.

This announcement has sent excitement through the fanbase, but it also sheds light on why the company has been so aggressive in cracking down on popular emulators like Ryujinx and Yuzu. It seems that the company’s focus on protecting its ecosystem was part of its broader strategy for the Switch 2’s release. While an official release date is still unknown, it has confirmed that more details will be shared before the end of the fiscal year, March 31, 2025.

Nintendo Wanted to Play Safe With Switch 2

In an official statement, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that the Switch 2 will support not only existing Switch games but also Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscriptions, allowing users to carry over their digital purchases and memberships. This news that the upcoming handheld will tap into the massive library of the current Switch was a major boost to confidence for gamers and investors.

This sounds like the company’s decided to make this decision to build on the foundation laid down by the original Switch which is still selling pretty well. For many, this seems like a safe move to maintain the original switch’s enormous user base, which is still very active even after eight years in the market.

古川です。本日の経営方針説明会で、Nintendo Switchの後継機種ではNintendo Switch向けソフトも遊べることを公表しました。また、Nintendo Switch Onlineも後継機種で引き続きご利用いただけるようにします。これらNintendo Switchとの互換性を含む後継機種の詳しい情報は、後日改めてご案内します。

— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024

While the announcement about backward compatibility was met with praise, there’s a deeper reason behind the company’s focus on preserving its hardware ecosystem. The reason involves a strategy that’s been unfolding over the past few years: the company’s aggressive stance against emulators. It has been taking legal actions against emulator developers, which allow users to play handheld exclusive games on unauthorized platforms.

From cease-and-desist orders to full-blown lawsuits, the company has worked relentlessly to shut down emulator sites and developers. But now, with the recent announcement, it’s clear that these actions weren’t just about protecting intellectual property, they were part of a larger strategy to safeguard the company’s next major console launch.

Fans Looking Ahead for the End of Current Fiscal Year

While Nintendo has yet to officially announce the Switch 2, the confirmation of its backward compatibility and the promise of more details before the end of the current fiscal year, makes it very clear that the company is gearing up to evolve its gaming ecosystem further.

For consumers, this announcement means that their investment in Switch hardware and games will now carry over to the next generation, making the transition smoother and even more enticing. From the company’s perspective, this announcement is about ensuring that the upcoming console is a secure, profitable, and widely adopted platform.

As the company prepares for the release of its next console in the next year, it’s clear that a major part of its strategy will be around keeping its ecosystem locked down securely. It basically means that it will continue to target emulator developers and users who will try to undermine the value of official platforms.

In the end, as the company focuses on safeguarding both the past and future of its gaming ecosystem, the fans are hoping that the new console/handheld will be released soon so that they can enjoy the latest releases on better hardware.

Do you think the Switch 2 will be released next year? Tell us in the comment section below.