Nintendo Switch对任天堂(Nintendo)来说是一个巨大的打击(massive hit)。该公司的Wii U(Wii U)家用游戏机(home console)和启动缓慢的 3DS 掌上电脑的重大转变。任天堂(Nintendo)已将他们的两个游戏机产品线合并为一个混合机器，提供数千款掌上游戏，其质量达到或高于我们在上一代机器（如PlayStation 3和 Xbox 360）上看到的AAA游戏的质量。(AAA)
这是一台很棒的机器，但是任天堂大量积压的广受好评的游戏呢？Switch是否向后兼容它们？答案比您想象的要复杂，但我们将对其进行分解，以便您确切地知道您的Switch可以从旧游戏目录中玩什么，不能玩什么。
等等，切换“向后兼容性”是什么意思？(Hang On, What Does Switch “Backwards Compatibility” Mean?)
“向后兼容性(Backwards compatibility)”传统上意味着设备的新版本，例如游戏机，仍然可以运行软件或使用为之前型号设计的媒体。在视频游戏只能作为物理媒体使用的时代，区别在于学术。由于视频游戏已经数字化，您可以向后兼容数字副本，但不能向后兼容游戏的物理副本。
在现代，新主机通过仿真运行上一代主机(generation console)游戏的能力也被称为向后兼容性(backwards compatibility)。Xbox One以这种方式玩精选的Xbox 360游戏，而Playstation 3使用Playstation 1模拟器来达到同样的目的。
要了解Nintendo Switch向后兼容性，重要的是要了解向后兼容性所属的这一广泛范围。这是因为Switch包含来自各种不同方法的元素以实现向后兼容性。
以前的任天堂游戏机的向后兼容性(Backwards Compatibility On Previous Nintendo Consoles)
甚至出现这个问题的主要原因之一与以前的任天堂(Nintendo)游戏机有关，这些游戏机向后兼容之前的游戏机。所以，Wii U可以玩Wii游戏。原始Wii也可以播放Gamecube光盘。
在手持设备方面，它更加强大。3DS可以玩DS游戏。DS 可以播放GameBoy Advance墨盒，而该控制台可以播放原装Game Boy 和 GameBoy Color(Game Boy and GameBoy Color)墨盒。连绵不绝的继承线！所以难怪人们对任天堂最新的游戏机抱有一定的期待。
该公司在确保从一代人到下一代人的平稳过渡方面做得特别好。Nintendo Switch的向后兼容性怎么样？随着Switch的推出，它的混合特性和在任天堂游戏机历史上(console history)的独特地位已经发生了显着变化。让我们看看它在实践中是如何工作的。
我可以从旧的任天堂游戏机播放媒体吗？(Can I Play Media From Older Nintendo Consoles?)
Switch只能播放专门为其设计的物理媒体。与以前的任天堂(Nintendo)掌上电脑不同，您不能将 DS 或 3DS 卡带插入此系统的插槽。
显然，由于Switch也没有磁盘驱动器，因此也没有地方可以放置来自(disc drive)Wii 或 GameCube(Wii or GameCube)控制台的媒体。如果它不是来自 eShop 或Switch 墨盒(Switch cartridge)，那你就不走运了。
我可以通过“虚拟控制台”从旧系统购买游戏吗？(Can I Buy Titles from Older Systems via “Virtual Console?”)
遗憾的是，与之前的任天堂游戏机不同， (Nintendo Consoles)Switch上没有“虚拟游戏机(Virtual Console)” 。在马里奥(Mario built)公司制造的上一代机器上，您可以购买旧经典游戏的模拟数字副本。事实上，你仍然可以。然而，任天堂(Nintendo)这次选择了不同的道路。
除非作为个人经典版本发布（例如世嘉出色的“时代”版本），否则您无法在 Nintendo 的 Switch 上购买 8 位和16位(Nintendo)游戏(Switch)。相反，那些付费订阅Nintendo Online 服务(Nintendo Online service)的人还可以访问精选的NES 和 SNES 游戏(NES and SNES games)，并定期添加新游戏。
可悲的是，这并没有让用户选择一次性购买他们想要的游戏。好消息是，任天堂(Nintendo)从他们的经典平台中加入了一些相当不错的游戏。甚至有传言称，N64 和 GameCube(N64 and GameCube)等游戏机最终可能会加入这项服务，尽管目前还没有官方确认。
考虑到任天堂过去对(Nintendo)虚拟控制台(Virtual Console)下载收取的费用以及每一代都必须重新购买，订阅中包含的游戏选择实际上是一笔非常划算的交易。随着更多游戏的加入，价值主张(value proposition)也随之提升。如果您家中有多个Switch播放器，则年度家庭计划(family plan)是迄今为止最具成本效益的方式。
Wii U 游戏怎么样？(What About Wii U Games?)
Wii U的游戏机销量并不多，但确实承载了一些出色的游戏。如果您拥有Wii U游戏，则无法将它们转移到Switch上。但是，如果您可以再次为它们付费，那么已经为新游戏机发布了 一些真正出色的Wii U游戏重制版。(Wii U)
虽然这对于那些拥有大量Wii U 游戏(Wii U game)收藏的人来说可能不是最好的消息，但这确实意味着许多没有购买Wii U的人现在将有机会玩其中的一些宝石。
一些突出的例子包括Mario Kart 8和Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE。未来可能会有很长的Wii U游戏列表出现在Switch上，所以如果你有耐心，那么随着时间的推移，你的Switch可能会玩这些游戏。
还有 3DS 游戏？(And 3DS Games?)
即使Switch向后兼容 3DS 游戏，它缺乏垂直堆叠的双屏设计也会让这些游戏难以玩。3DS 游戏需要大量重新设计才能在Switch上有意义，DS 游戏也是如此。
虽然已经有一些游戏可以垂直播放，但如果没有某种第三方适配器，这会让人不舒服。任天堂(Nintendo)可能想出一种官方方式来支持Switch上的 3DS 游戏的数字版本，这并非不可能，但这似乎不太可能。
旧游戏机的游戏端口(Ports Of Games From Older Consoles)
虽然这并不是Switch(Switch)向后兼容的严格示例，但Nintendo Switch已成为旧(Nintendo Switch)任天堂游戏机(Nintendo Consoles)和PlayStation 3和 Xbox 360 时代其他游戏机游戏端口的避风港。
例如，Ni No Kuni和Dragon's Dogma：Dark Arisen等(Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen)Playstation 3宝石已经在勇敢的小控制台上找到了自己的方式。许多(Switch)拥有 Switch 的人(Titles)从未玩过甚至听说过的游戏！当然，即使您拥有原始游戏机的媒体，您也需要再次购买这些移植的重制版。
复古游戏开关的替代品(Alternatives To The Switch For Retro Gaming)
因此，如果您正在寻找一个好的解决方案来玩上一代任天堂(Nintendo)游戏，那么您实际上最好购买上一代的游戏机。
如果您主要是在电视上或在家玩游戏，那么选择Wii U是个好主意。具有屏幕的独特控制器可让您在“电视外”模式下(” mode)播放虚拟控制台标题。换句话说，只要您在控制台的范围内，您就可以像手持一样播放这些标题。
如果你真的想离开家，你可以购买一个“新”3DS(“New” 3DS)，它有一个广泛的虚拟控制台库(console library)，可以一次性购买游戏。这个更新的 3DS 模型现在还包括SNES游戏，除了提供的许多Gameboy 和 NES 游戏(Gameboy and NES games)。
不要忘记您可以直接将Nintendo DS卡带与 DS 一起使用。
展望未来(Looking Ahead)
缺乏适当的Switch向后兼容性也代表了任天堂(Nintendo)对其主控制台的重大重新思考。现在统一为具有两个独立谱系的混合设备，如果当前的Switch(Switch)游戏将与假设的“ Switch 2” 前向兼容也就不足为奇了。
新一代的这种制胜法则也可能有足够的额外能力来模仿Wii 或 Wii U 时代(Wii or Wii U era)的游戏。这(Which)可能意味着在旅途中更强大地访问这些库。希望任天堂(Nintendo)能找到办法。
Nintendo Switch Backwards Compatibility Explained
The Nintendo Switch has turned out to be a massive hit for Nintendo. A major turnaround from the company’s Wii U home console and slow-starting 3DS handheld. Nintendo have merged both of their console product lines into a single hybrid machine, offering thousands of handheld games at or above the quality we saw in AAA titles on previous generation machines such as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
It’s a great machine, but what about Nintendo’s massive backlog of acclaimed titles? Is the Switch backwards compatible with them? The answer is more complicated than you may think, but we’re going to break it down so you know exactly what your Switch can and cannot play from older catalogues of games.
Hang On, What Does Switch “Backwards Compatibility” Mean?
“Backwards compatibility” has traditionally meant that a new version of a device, such as a games console, can still run software or use media designed for the model that came before. In the days where video games were only available as physical media, the distinction was academic. Since video games have gone digital, you can have backwards compatibility with the digital copy, but not the physical copy of a game.
In modern times, the ability for a new console to run a previous generation console’s games via emulation has also been referred to as backwards compatibility. The Xbox One plays select Xbox 360 games this way and the Playstation 3 uses a Playstation 1 emulator for the same purpose.
To understand Nintendo Switch backwards compatibility, it’s important to know this broad umbrella that backwards compatibility falls under. That’s because the Switch encompasses elements from various different approaches to backwards compatibility.
Backwards Compatibility On Previous Nintendo Consoles
One of the main reasons that this question even comes up has to do with previous Nintendo consoles that have been backwards compatible with those that have come before them. So, the Wii U can play Wii games. The original Wii can play Gamecube discs as well.
On the handheld side of things, it’s even more robust. The 3DS can play DS games. The DS can play GameBoy Advance cartridges and that console can play original Game Boy and GameBoy Color cartridges. An unbroken line of succession! So it’s no wonder that people have certain expectations of Nintendo’s latest console.
The company has been particularly good about ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next. What about Nintendo Switch backwards compatibility? With the launch of the Switch, its hybrid nature and unique position in Nintendo’s console history has changed things significantly. Let’s see how it works in practice.
Can I Play Media From Older Nintendo Consoles?
The Switch can only play physical media meant specifically for it. Unlike previous Nintendo handhelds, you can’t stick a DS or 3DS cartridge into this system’s slot.
Obviously, since the Switch also lacks a disc drive, there’s nowhere to put media from the Wii or GameCube consoles either. If it doesn’t come from the eShop or on a Switch cartridge, you are out of luck.
Can I Buy Titles from Older Systems via “Virtual Console?”
Sadly, unlike the previous Nintendo Consoles, there’s no “Virtual Console” on the Switch. On previous generation machines from the company Mario built, you could buy emulated digital copies of older classic games. In fact, you still can. However, Nintendo has chosen to take a different path this time around.
Unless released as an individual classic release (such as with Sega’s excellent “Ages” releases) you can’t buy 8-bit and 16-bit games on the Switch from Nintendo. Instead, those who pay to subscribe to the Nintendo Online service also get access to a curated selection of NES and SNES games, with new titles added periodically.
Sadly, this does not give users the choice to buy the games they want once-off. The good news is that Nintendo is including some pretty good titles from their classic platforms. There are even rumors that consoles like the N64 and GameCube may eventually be added to this service, although there is no official confirmation of this at the moment.
Given how much Nintendo have charged for Virtual Console downloads in the past and that they have to be rebought every generation, the selection of games included with the subscription is actually a remarkably good deal. As more games are added, the value proposition improves as well. If you have multiple Switch players in the household, the annual family plan is by far the most cost effective way to go.
What About Wii U Games?
The Wii U did not sell a very large number of consoles, but did play host to some excellent titles. If you own Wii U games, you can’t transfer them over to the Switch. However, if you’re OK with paying for them again, there are some truly fantastic remasters of Wii U games that have been released for the new console.
While that might not be the best news for those with big Wii U game collections, it does mean that the many people who did not buy a Wii U will now get a chance to play some of these gems.
Some standout examples include Mario Kart 8 and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. There are a long list of Wii U titles that are likely to come to the Switch in future, so if you’re patient then over time your Switch will likely be able to play these.
And 3DS Games?
Even if the Switch were backwards compatible with 3DS games, its lack of a vertically-stacked dual-screen design would make these games tough to play. A 3DS game would require a substantial redesign to make sense on Switch, as would DS games.
Although there are already some games that can be played in a vertical orientation, this isn’t comfortable without some sort of third-party adapter. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Nintendo could come up with an official way to support digital versions of 3DS games on the Switch, but it seems pretty unlikely.
Ports Of Games From Older Consoles
While this is not strictly an example of Switch backwards compatibility, the Nintendo Switch has become a haven for ports of games both from older Nintendo Consoles and other consoles from the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era.
For example, Playstation 3 gems such as Ni No Kuni and Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen have found their way onto the plucky little console. Titles which plenty of people who own a Switch have never played or perhaps even heard of! Of course, you need to buy these ported remasters again, even if you own the media from the original consoles.
Alternatives To The Switch For Retro Gaming
So if you are looking for a good solution to play previous-generation Nintendo games, you’re actually better off buying a console from the previous generation.
If you primarily game on a television or at home, it’s a great idea to pick up a Wii U. The unique controller featuring a screen lets you play virtual console titles in “off-TV” mode. In other words, as long as you are in the range of the console, you can play these titles as if they were handheld.
If you want to actually leave the house, you can buy a “New” 3DS, which has an extensive virtual console library for once-off game purchases. This updated 3DS model now also includes SNES games, which comes in addition to the many Gameboy and NES games on offer.
Don’t forget that you can use Nintendo DS cartridges directly with the DS.
Looking Ahead
The lack of proper Switch backwards compatibility also represents a significant rethink by Nintendo when it comes to their main console. Now unified into a hybrid device with two separate lineages, it wouldn’t be surprising if current Switch games will be forwards compatible with a hypothetical “Switch 2”.
A new generation of this winning formula may also have enough additional power to emulate titles from the Wii or Wii U era. Which could mean more robust access to those libraries on the go. Here’s hoping Nintendo finds a way.
