On June 19, Limited Run Games confirmed that the latest Nintendo Switch 2 firmware update resolved some backward compatibility issues with games that utilize the Carbon Engine. Limited Run Games stated that games like Tomba: Special Edition, Shantae, and River City Girls Zero should run properly on Switch 2 consoles with firmware version 20.1.5 or later.
Like its predecessor, the Switch 2 operating system receives periodic firmware updates to improve performance, fix outstanding bugs, and occasionally bring new user features. However, most firmware updates tend to address a non-specific list of bugs and stability issues. The Switch 2's version 20.1.5 update was a case of the latter, as the patch notes only stated that general system stability improvements were made. Users must connect their Switch 2 consoles to the Internet to receive the 20.1.5 firmware update. Following a brief download, the console will automatically restart.
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Although Nintendo was not specific about the changes that the new Switch 2 firmware update made, a game publisher came forward with some good news. Limited Run Games posted on social media that some Switch titles that utilize the Carbon Engine should now work properly on the Switch 2 after users update their consoles to version 20.1.5. The Carbon Engine allows retro games to be ported to modern platforms, and developers can use it to add some enhancements or features that were not in a game's original release. Limited Run Games confirmed that 12 Carbon Engine titles were affected by a backward compatibility issue on the Switch 2, including Tomba: Special Edition, Felix the Cat, River City Girls Zero, and Shantae. Before the firmware update, some of these games would not load correctly at startup, or would have buggy textures and performance issues.
Which Carbon Engine Games Were Fixed by the Switch 2's 20.1.5 Update?
- Clock Tower: Rewind
- Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
- Tomba: Special Edition
- River City Girls Zero
- A Boy and his Blob Collection
- Rocket Knight Adventures
- Shantae
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection
- Xtreme Sports
- Trip World DX
- Felix the Cat
- Rendering Ranger R-2: Rewind
Alongside the backward compatibility news, Limited Run Games also provided an update on the recently released Gex Trilogy, which still faces backward compatibility problems on the Switch 2. The company submitted a bug-fix patch last week to correct it, but the ongoing Juneteenth holiday in the US has delayed Nintendo's approval process. However, Limited Run Games stated that the patch should be issued in the coming days.
In the meantime, Gex Trilogy has been temporarily pulled from the Switch 2 eShop until the backward compatibility patch has been distributed and tested. With other Carbon Engine titles like Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection and Tomba 2 still scheduled to launch in 2025, it remains to be seen how those games will perform on Nintendo's new console moving forward.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Original Release Date
- June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $449.99
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- HDR Support
- Yes
The successor to 2017's Nintendo Switch continues down the same path as its predecessor, providing a hybrid experience that supports both home and handheld gaming. Launching on June 5, 2025, with games like Mario Kart World, the basic Nintendo Switch 2 bundle comes with the console, Joy-Con 2, straps for the controller, a dock, an AC adapter, an HDMI cable, and a Joy-Con 2 grip.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Wi-Fi
- Yes
- Ports
- 2x USB Type-C / 3.5mm audio
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop