Can You Play Old Nintendo Games on The Switch? 

Can You Play Old Nintendo Games on The Switch

The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s latest hybrid console, meaning it can be played as both a home console and a handheld device. The device’s ability to switch between these two modes means it can be used to play games in lots of different scenarios. While many of the Switch’s launch titles are brand-new properties, there are plenty of old favorites from previous Nintendo consoles too. These include Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart 8, and even the New Zealand-made Arms. However, if you own any older Nintendo console you may be left wondering whether or not you can play its games on the new Switch. In this article, we answer that exact question and more, so keep reading to learn more about using old games on the Nintendo Switch.

Can You Play Old Nintendo Games on The Switch? 

Yes, You can play classic Nintendo Games on the Nintendo Switch System. 

While there are a few different ways to play old games on the Nintendo Switch, there is no way to simply plug your old consoles into the Switch and play their games directly. 

What You’ll Need to Play Old Games on the Nintendo Switch?

  1. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to get your old games onto the Switch, let’s make sure you have the right equipment to make it happen. First off, you’ll need one of the following consoles: – Nintendo Switch Console – If you want to play games from any console made after the Nintendo Switch’s launch (March 2017), you’ll need to purchase the Switch console. If you’re looking to get your hands on a new console, the standard edition retails for $399 in the U.S. If you’re outside the U.S. you can find your region’s pricing here. 
  2. Wii U Console – If you want to play games from the Wii U, you’ll need to own the Wii U console. The latest model of this console was released in 2015 and retailed for $299 in the U.S. It is currently out of production and hard to find in stores. If you want to purchase it online you can snag one on Amazon for around $205.
  3. Nintendo Wii Console – If you want to play games from the Wii, you’ll need to own the Wii console. The latest model of this console was released in 2008 and retailed for $179 in the U.S. It is also out of production, but you can still find it online. A used Wii console will cost you around $99. 
  4. Nintendo Wii Mini Console – If you want to play games from the Wii Mini, you’ll need to own the Wii Mini console. This is a smaller, cut-down version of the original Wii. Unfortunately, it was only available in Canada and has since been discontinued. If you want to purchase it online you can snag one on Amazon for around $129. 
  5. Nintendo GameCube Console – If you want to play games from GameCube, you’ll need to own the GameCube console. The latest model of this console was released in 2001 and retailed for $199 in the U.S. It is currently out of production and hard to find in stores. If you want to purchase it online you can snag one on Amazon for around $138. 
  6. Nintendo Classic Mini Console – If you want to play games from the Nintendo Classic Mini, you’ll need to own the Nintendo Classic Mini console. This is a smaller, cut-down version of the original Nintendo. Unfortunately, it was only available in Japan and has since been discontinued. If you want to purchase it online you can snag one on Amazon for around $189.
  7. The Nintendo Virtual Console – Some games can be downloaded to the Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Virtual Console. The Virtual Console is a digital store that contains games from many retro consoles, including the Game Boy, NES, SNES, and N64. If you want to download games from the Virtual Console, you’ll need to have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership (more on this below).

How To Play Old Nintendo Games on The Switch?

Install Retroarch

RetroArch is one of the best ways to get your classic games working on the Nintendo Switch. RetroArch is a free open-source emulator that’s compatible with many different systems, including the SNES, NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive, and even the Nintendo Switch. RetroArch is a modular emulator that is constantly being updated with new features and system support, so it’s not only a great solution for playing Nintendo games, but also for playing games from lots of other consoles. The installation process is a little complicated, but once you do it, you’ll be able to use RetroArch to play games on the Nintendo Switch in a way that’s very similar to the way you’d use original console hardware to play those same games.

Use An Ios/Android App

Some of us may not have the technical chops to set up RetroArch. What if you have an iOS or Android device with additional controllers like a SNES controller? You can use an app to play your games. One of the most popular apps is called ControllerMate. You can connect your Nintendo Switch to your iPhone or Android device via Bluetooth and then use the app to map your SNES controller to the Switch’s inputs. ControllerMate also has support for other gaming consoles besides the Nintendo Switch, so you can use it to map SNES controllers to your Xbox One or PS4 as well. ControllerMate isn’t a perfect solution — it’s a bit fiddly to set up and doesn’t always work perfectly — but it’s a good way to play Nintendo games on the Nintendo Switch if you don’t want to mess around with setting up RetroArch.

Run A Virtual Console Emulator

While RetroArch is a good option for playing Nintendo games, many gamers will want to play games from other consoles as well. We have an emulator for that. Nintendo’s Virtual Console service allows you to purchase and download emulated games from classic consoles. Many of these games are also available to play on the Nintendo Switch. On your computer, you can use an emulator to play these games. Your computer can then connect to your Nintendo Switch via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. You can play any of the games you’ve downloaded from the Virtual Console on your Switch, including the games that are exclusive to certain consoles like the Sega Master System games or the TurboGrafx 16 games.

Hook Up A Snes Controller With Bluetooth

If you want to play your NES or SNES games, you’ll need a way to connect your old Nintendo controllers to your Nintendo Switch. While the Switch has built-in support for Wii U and Nintendo Switch controllers, it’s not compatible with Nintendo’s older controllers like the SNES or NES controllers. Luckily, there’s a workaround that you can use to connect your old controllers to your Nintendo Switch. You can connect your SNES or NES controller to your Nintendo Switch with an adapter that uses Bluetooth wireless technology. There are several different adapters you can use to connect your old controllers to your Switch. Many of these adapters also have support for other controllers and devices.

Buy A Nintendo Switch Adapter And Use A Snes Controller

If you don’t have old Nintendo controllers laying around, you can buy an adapter that lets you use SNES controllers with the Nintendo Switch. One example is the Hyperkin Retro Controller. This adapter supports both wired and wireless SNES controllers. The adapter also has support for other controllers like the NES controller, the Sega Genesis controller, and many more. When you plug in a SNES controller to this adapter, it’ll behave just like a regular Nintendo Switch controller. You won’t need to go into any special settings menu to set it up like you’d have to do with an old-school controller hooked up with a Bluetooth adapter.

How to Install GameCube Games on Nintendo Switch?

  1. The Nintendo Virtual Console is a digital store that allows players to download old games to their Nintendo Switch consoles. 
  2. While the Switch’s Virtual Console currently features games from a variety of retro consoles, the only way to download GameCube games is by hacking your Switch console. 
  3. This process of hacking your Switch is known as “More GameCube Ports on Switch via ‘Fusion’”. 
  4. It is a complicated process and can only be done with a hacked Switch, so it is not recommended for the average Nintendo Switch owner.

How to Install NES Games on Nintendo Switch? 

  • The Nintendo Virtual Console is a digital store that allows players to download old games to their Nintendo Switch consoles. While the Switch’s Virtual Console currently features games from a variety of retro consoles, the only way to download NES games is by hacking your Switch console. 
  • This process of hacking your Switch is known as “More GameCube Ports on Switch via ‘Fusion’”. 
  • It is a complicated process and can only be done with a hacked Switch, so it is not recommended for the average Nintendo Switch owner.

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch is a great console with lots of promise. While it can do many things, it cannot play old Nintendo games. This is because Nintendo has not included backward compatibility in the Switch. If you want to play older games, you will have to download them from the Nintendo Virtual Console on the Switch. That being said, it is important to keep in mind that the Switch’s Virtual Console does not feature every retro Nintendo game. While Nintendo is working to add more games as time goes on, don’t expect every game from yesteryear to make it to the Switch. 

Shirley Wesley
Shirley Wesley is a tech blogger who loves to share her insights on the latest gadgets and software. She has a passion for helping people learn new things, and she enjoys writing about her findings in an easy-to-understand way.