TL;DR
Nintendo has released a June 2026 batch of backwards compatibility fixes for Switch games on Switch 2, with Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove as the headline title. The update arrives as Nintendo continues to fine-tune its backward compatibility layer ahead of the Switch 2's rumored late-2026 launch, signaling that even indie classics require active patching to run smoothly on the new hardware.
What Happened
Nintendo released a new set of backwards compatibility fixes for Switch games running on Switch 2 on June 27, 2026, with Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove leading a modest but solid batch of titles. The update, published via Nintendo Everything and the official Nintendo support channel, continues the company's methodical approach to ensuring the Switch 2 can play the vast Switch library without performance or stability issues.
Key Facts
- Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the most prominent title in the June 2026 compatibility patch, joining a list of smaller indie and mid-tier games that required fixes.
- This is not the first batch of backwards compatibility fixes; Nintendo has been issuing similar updates periodically since early 2026 as part of Switch 2 pre-launch preparation.
- The fixes address specific performance, graphical, or stability issues that arise when Switch games run on Switch 2 hardware, rather than enabling new features.
- Nintendo has committed to "near-total" backwards compatibility for the Switch library on Switch 2, but some games require individual patches due to hardware architecture differences.
- The June batch contains fewer "heavy hitters" than previous updates, according to Nintendo Everything, suggesting the most demanding Switch titles may already have been addressed.
- The Switch 2 is widely expected to launch in late 2026, with backwards compatibility cited as a key selling point to preserve the 140-million-plus Switch install base.
- Nintendo has not disclosed the total number of games patched to date, but the cumulative list now exceeds several hundred titles across multiple update waves.
Breaking It Down
The June 2026 backwards compatibility update for Switch 2 is a telling signal about Nintendo's engineering priorities. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, a critically acclaimed indie platformer originally released in 2014, is not a graphically demanding title by modern standards. That it still requires a compatibility fix underscores a fundamental reality: backwards compatibility on Switch 2 is not a simple emulation layer but a per-title engineering effort. The presence of an indie game from a decade ago in a 2026 patch suggests that Nintendo is testing edge cases—games with unusual engine architectures, custom rendering pipelines, or specific timing dependencies—rather than merely checking off AAA blockbusters.
"Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove required a compatibility fix on Switch 2 in June 2026—a game that ran flawlessly on original Switch hardware from day one."
This fact reveals that Switch 2's hardware architecture likely diverges from the original Switch in ways that break even mature, well-optimized code. The original Switch used a custom Nvidia Tegra X1 system-on-chip, while Switch 2 is widely reported to use a more modern Nvidia Tegra T239 or similar chip with a different GPU architecture, memory controller, and CPU core design. Games that rely on precise timing loops, specific GPU driver behaviors, or memory bandwidth patterns common to the Tegra X1 may malfunction or exhibit glitches when run on the new hardware without intervention. Nintendo's fix pipeline is therefore not merely a courtesy—it is a necessary engineering effort to ensure that the Switch 2 library does not ship with a long tail of broken titles.
The June batch's composition—fewer heavy hitters, more mid-tier and indie games—suggests that Nintendo has already addressed the vast majority of high-profile Switch games. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Odyssey, Metroid Dread, and other flagship titles likely received fixes in earlier waves. What remains are the long tail of smaller games, many from independent developers who may not have the resources to test and patch their own titles. Nintendo appears to be handling this internally, which is a significant investment of engineering time for a company that has historically been conservative with backwards compatibility.
What Comes Next
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Further monthly or bi-monthly patches through late 2026: Given the pace of updates, Nintendo will likely continue issuing backwards compatibility fixes on a regular cadence until Switch 2 launches. Expect at least 3-4 more batches covering the remaining long-tail titles.
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A final "compatibility list" publication: Nintendo will almost certainly release a comprehensive list of Switch games verified to work on Switch 2, likely in September or October 2026, ahead of a holiday launch window. This list will be a critical marketing document.
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Developer-specific patches for remaining issues: Some games may require deeper fixes that Nintendo cannot do internally—particularly titles with custom online infrastructure or unique DRM. Developers like Yacht Club Games (Shovel Knight) may need to release their own patches for full compatibility.
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The Switch 2 launch event and backwards compatibility demo: Nintendo is expected to hold a dedicated Switch 2 presentation in late summer or early fall 2026, where backwards compatibility will be a headline feature, demonstrated with side-by-side comparisons of Switch games running on both consoles.
The Bigger Picture
This June 2026 update fits into two broader trends in the gaming industry. First, Cross-Generation Compatibility has become a competitive necessity. Sony and Microsoft have invested heavily in backwards compatibility for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with Microsoft in particular building a robust emulation pipeline for Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. Nintendo's Switch 2 approach—requiring per-title patches rather than a universal emulation layer—is more labor-intensive but potentially more reliable, as it allows Nintendo to optimize each game's performance for the new hardware. The trade-off is that some games may never receive fixes, creating a fragmented library.
Second, the update highlights the Long Tail of Indie Gaming. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, first released over a decade ago, remains commercially active and culturally relevant. Nintendo's decision to patch it for Switch 2 signals that the company recognizes the enduring value of indie titles in driving hardware sales and player engagement. In an era where game preservation is a growing concern among developers and players, Nintendo's commitment to fixing even older indie games is a meaningful, if imperfect, step toward ensuring that the Switch's vast digital library remains playable for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- [Shovel Knight Lead]: Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the headline title in the June 2026 backwards compatibility patch, proving that even non-demanding indie games require specific fixes on Switch 2.
- [Engineering Reality]: Switch 2's hardware architecture differs significantly from the original Switch, necessitating per-title patches rather than a universal emulation solution.
- [Long-Tail Focus]: The June batch contains fewer major titles than earlier updates, indicating Nintendo has already addressed most flagship Switch games and is now working through the indie and mid-tier library.
- [Launch Timeline]: With regular patches continuing into mid-2026, Nintendo is on track for a late-2026 Switch 2 launch, with backwards compatibility as a central feature.
