Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility fixes add more “fully functional” games, but A Hat in Time still struggles

21 December 2025
Nintendo Switch 2
10 min.
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Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility fixes add more “fully functional” games, but A Hat in Time still struggles

Summary:

Nintendo’s approach to Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility is starting to feel less like a one-time promise and more like a living project. Instead of pretending every older game will magically behave on new hardware forever, Nintendo has been rolling out fixes in waves, and that matters because real libraries are messy. We all have that one random title we love that no one else talks about, plus a few big-name releases we expect to “just work” the second we hit start. In the latest batch of updates, Nintendo flagged ten original Nintendo Switch games as fixed on Nintendo Switch 2, including Resident Evil 4 and Miitopia, alongside a mix of smaller releases. That’s the kind of list that quietly improves daily life for players, because stability and consistent behavior beat flashy promises every time.

At the same time, the update also highlights the awkward side of compatibility: one game can still be called out as not working correctly. Nintendo has specifically identified A Hat in Time as having progress-related problems on Nintendo Switch 2, which is exactly the sort of issue that turns a fun weekend into a “why did we do this to ourselves” moment. The good news is that Nintendo also maintains official compatibility information, and it’s worth checking before buying, redownloading, or starting a long playthrough. The bigger takeaway is simple: these fixes show steady momentum, but they also prove we should treat compatibility like a status that can change over time, not a permanent stamp printed in ink.

Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility is being patched in waves

We’re seeing Nintendo treat backward compatibility on Nintendo Switch 2 like an ongoing maintenance job, not a single checkbox on a launch-day list. That’s a smart move, because “works on my machine” is not a strategy when millions of machines are out in the wild and players are poking every corner of every game. A wave-based rollout also lines up with how people actually play. We jump between favorites, we reinstall old purchases when sales hit, and we finally open that backlog title we swore we’d start “next month.” With each batch of fixes, Nintendo reduces the chance that a returning player hits a strange bug and assumes the whole system is unreliable. It’s a bit like road maintenance: nobody cheers for fresh asphalt, but everyone notices the pothole that wrecks the ride.

What Nintendo means by “fixed” on Switch 2

When Nintendo marks a Nintendo Switch game as fixed on Nintendo Switch 2, we should read that as “the behavior is now consistent with what you’d expect on the original system,” not “this game is now magically upgraded.” That distinction matters because compatibility fixes are usually about stability, progress blockers, and odd behavior that only shows up on the new hardware. The goal is boring in the best way: you press start, you play, you save, you come back tomorrow, and nothing weird happens. For games that previously had issues, “fixed” can mean anything from resolving crashes to cleaning up visual glitches that make characters look like they walked out of a texture soup. It’s the kind of work that doesn’t sell posters, but it keeps weekends intact.

Why a game can boot but still be “not working correctly”

We’ve all seen the tricky middle ground where a game launches and seems fine, right up until it isn’t. That’s why “boots” is not the same as “works correctly.” A title can load menus, play the opening, and even run smoothly, but still hit a progress issue later that blocks advancement, breaks a quest chain, or crashes during a specific transition. Those are the nastiest problems because they waste time, and time is the one resource we never get as a refund. On Nintendo Switch 2, that kind of issue can pop up because timing, memory behavior, or system-level differences expose edge cases that never mattered on the original Nintendo Switch. So yes, we can get tricked by a clean first hour, and then get ambushed by hour five.

The newly fixed lineup and what changed

In this latest wave, Nintendo has identified ten original Nintendo Switch games that have now been fixed on Nintendo Switch 2: Blade of Darkness, Game Dev Story++, Little Nightmares Complete Edition, Miitopia, Moji Yuugi, Resident Evil 4, Solid Void – Nature Puzzles, Sports Party, Streets of Rage 4, and Venture Towns. That lineup is a fun mix because it covers very different genres and engines. We’ve got action, horror, management, puzzling, and party-friendly chaos all sitting in the same “now behaves properly” bucket. The important part is not just the names, but what the list represents: Nintendo and partners are iterating based on real-world issues, and that means the platform experience improves over time for people who keep their libraries alive.

Resident Evil 4 on Switch 2 and why players cared

Resident Evil 4 is one of those games where players notice problems quickly because the pacing is tight and the action is constant. If something is off, we feel it immediately, whether that’s stability, odd rendering behavior, or a hiccup that breaks immersion at the worst possible moment. Nintendo now lists Resident Evil 4 as fully functional on Nintendo Switch 2, which is a meaningful change because it’s not a niche release sitting quietly in a corner of the eShop. It’s a title people recommend, rebuy, replay, and talk about with the passion of someone describing the best sandwich they’ve ever had. Getting a high-profile game back into reliable shape also sends a signal: Nintendo isn’t only polishing small, quiet releases. We’re seeing attention land on games that many players actually boot up.

Miitopia on Switch 2 and the visual hiccups that got addressed

Miitopia is the kind of game where weird visuals stand out, because the entire charm is built on expressive faces, playful costumes, and a style that’s supposed to look clean and intentional. Nintendo has now marked Miitopia as fully functional on Nintendo Switch 2 after it previously had noticeable graphical issues. That’s a big deal for a title that leans on personality and presentation. If textures or visuals look strange, the whole vibe goes from “cozy adventure with your weird little cast” to “why does everyone look slightly haunted.” We also know Miitopia is a game people return to in bursts, especially when sharing stories or screenshots, so fixes that reduce oddities help the social side too. A stable, consistent look keeps the humor intact, and Miitopia lives and dies by humor.

The rest of the patched list and what it signals

The remaining titles in the fixed batch might not all be household names, but they matter because they represent breadth. Blade of Darkness and Streets of Rage 4 pull in players who want action with bite, while Game Dev Story++ and Venture Towns speak to the “just one more in-game day” crowd that accidentally time travels past midnight. Little Nightmares Complete Edition is the kind of moody experience where crashes or odd behavior can ruin tension instantly, and even smaller puzzlers like Solid Void – Nature Puzzles deserve to run cleanly because puzzle games rely on trust. Moji Yuugi and Sports Party rounding out the list is another reminder: compatibility work is not only about prestige releases. We’re watching Nintendo improve the baseline experience across different styles of games, which is exactly what makes a library feel safe to revisit.

The one holdout – A Hat in Time and progression problems

While the list of fixes is encouraging, Nintendo has also specifically identified A Hat in Time as not working correctly on Nintendo Switch 2 due to progression issues. That wording is important because progress problems are not “minor.” If we can’t reliably advance, we can’t responsibly recommend the game on the new system, and we definitely can’t trust a long play session to hold together. A Hat in Time is also a colorful 3D platformer, which tends to attract players who want to relax, explore, and collect without stress. Progress blockers flip that mood on its head. Instead of “one more level,” it becomes “one more attempt, please don’t break.” The frustrating part is that everything can look fine at first glance, which makes the eventual problem feel like stepping on a rake you didn’t see in the grass.

What to do if you already own A Hat in Time on Switch 2

If we already own A Hat in Time and want to play it on Nintendo Switch 2, the safest approach is to treat the compatibility status like a stoplight, not a suggestion. First, we should confirm the current status through Nintendo’s official compatibility information before starting a fresh playthrough or committing to a longer session. Second, we should make sure both the system and the game are fully updated, because compatibility fixes can arrive through firmware, game patches, or a combination of both. Third, we should protect our time: if we notice progress behaving strangely, it’s better to pause than to push forward and risk a broken save flow. This is not about being dramatic, it’s about avoiding the classic trap of losing an evening to troubleshooting when we could be playing something else that behaves properly.

How to make sure your library behaves on Switch 2

Compatibility is not just a Nintendo problem or a developer problem, it’s also a “we should set ourselves up for success” problem. The good news is that most of the basic steps are simple, and they prevent the most common headaches. We want the latest system software, the latest game updates, and a quick habit of checking status before buying something specifically to play on Nintendo Switch 2. That last part saves money and disappointment, which is a pretty great trade for thirty seconds of checking. It’s also worth remembering that some issues are not dramatic crashes. They can be little behaviors that feel off, like a menu option causing trouble or a feature acting weird with a new controller setup. A tiny check now beats a big annoyance later.

Update checklist for system and games

When we want the smoothest experience on Nintendo Switch 2, we should start with the boring basics and do them consistently. Make sure the console is updated, then launch each game we plan to play and confirm it has the latest update installed. If we’re reinstalling older titles, it’s worth letting everything finish downloading and updating before jumping in, because partial installs and pending patches are the easiest way to accidentally test a problem that was already solved. We should also keep an eye on storage space, because low space can cause downloads to fail or updates to pause at the worst time. None of this is glamorous, but it’s the gaming equivalent of tying our shoes before running. It’s hard to sprint when we’re tripping over laces.

Controller quirks – when you need original Joy-Con

Even when a game is compatible, controller expectations can still matter on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo has officially noted that some Nintendo Switch games require original Nintendo Switch Joy-Con features to play as intended, such as the IR Motion Camera, and certain accessories also expect the original controller shape and fit. In plain terms, we might own a game that runs fine, but still needs specific controller hardware for particular modes or features. That’s not a flaw in the game so much as a reality of how certain titles were designed. The best move is to check what the game requires before we assume any controller setup will be identical. It’s like showing up to a bike ride with the wrong pedals. The bike is fine, but the ride is going to feel weird.

Where to check official status before buying or downloading

If we want to avoid surprises, the most reliable habit is checking Nintendo’s official compatibility information before making a purchase decision based on Nintendo Switch 2 playability. Nintendo maintains compatibility details and also provides downloadable lists that cover games with issues and games where issues have been resolved or are planned to be resolved by an update. That kind of transparency is useful because it turns compatibility into something we can verify, not guess. It also helps set expectations for games we already own. If a title is flagged for progress issues, we can wait without feeling like we’re missing a secret fix. If a title is listed as resolved, we can jump back in with more confidence. Think of it as checking the weather before a trip. We can still go outside, but we’ll pick the right jacket.

Conclusion

We’re watching Nintendo Switch 2 backward compatibility evolve in a practical, player-friendly way, with fixes arriving in waves that steadily reduce friction across a real-world library. The newest batch brings ten more original Nintendo Switch games into the “fully functional” category, including standout names like Resident Evil 4 and Miitopia, plus a strong mix of other genres that people actually play. At the same time, Nintendo’s callout of A Hat in Time as having progression issues is a reminder that compatibility is not a one-and-done promise. The smartest way to enjoy the system is to keep updates current, check official status when it matters, and protect our time by avoiding known problem spots until they’re resolved. That’s not cautious for the sake of it, it’s just good gaming hygiene.

FAQs
  • Which Switch games were recently marked as fixed on Nintendo Switch 2?
    • Blade of Darkness, Game Dev Story++, Little Nightmares Complete Edition, Miitopia, Moji Yuugi, Resident Evil 4, Solid Void – Nature Puzzles, Sports Party, Streets of Rage 4, and Venture Towns were listed as fixed in the latest batch.
  • What is the main issue Nintendo identified with A Hat in Time on Switch 2?
    • Nintendo has indicated that A Hat in Time is experiencing progression issues on Nintendo Switch 2, meaning it is not working correctly for normal playthrough progress.
  • Do “fixed” games automatically look or run better on Switch 2?
    • “Fixed” generally means the game behaves properly and consistently on Switch 2, not that it receives upgrades. Any improvements beyond stability depend on the specific update and the game’s design.
  • What should we do before replaying older Switch games on Switch 2?
    • Update the Switch 2 system software, update each game you plan to play, and check official compatibility information for any known issues that could affect progress or features.
  • Can controller differences affect Switch game compatibility on Switch 2?
    • Yes. Nintendo notes that some Nintendo Switch games require original Nintendo Switch Joy-Con features or accessory fit, so certain modes may need original Joy-Con even if the game itself is compatible.
Sources
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