Some lucky gamers have managed to get their hands on Nintendo Switch 2 consoles ahead of the official release date, but their excitement has quickly turned to frustration. Reports indicate these early adopters can’t actually play any games on their new hardware due to a mandatory system update requirement that can’t be fulfilled until Nintendo activates its update servers.
A Switch 2 unit is already out in the wild.
— Stealth (@Stealth40k) May 27, 2025
It's apparently locked behind a Day 1 patch and can't be used. https://t.co/IYxxHL8sq0 pic.twitter.com/fZLOy43Jw9
The issue appears to primarily affect attempts to play original Nintendo Switch games through backward compatibility. When users try to launch these titles, the system prompts for an update that cannot yet be downloaded, effectively locking the console from use until the official launch date.
This requirement serves multiple purposes for Nintendo. First, it prevents unauthorized early gameplay and potential leaks before the official street date. Second, it makes sure all systems run the latest firmware, which is crucial for security, stability, and proper backward compatibility with the original Switch library.
Nintendo isn’t alone in using these kinds of restrictions. Modern consoles increasingly require internet connectivity and updates before you can start playing. The PlayStation 5 Slim, for example, requires an internet connection to update its disc drive before it can function properly, and Xbox Series X consoles also need an internet connection to complete their initial setup.
For collectors and preservation enthusiasts, this development raises concerns. Once Nintendo eventually shuts down its update servers years from now, sealed or unused Switch 2 consoles might become permanently unusable. This continues the troubling trend of modern gaming hardware becoming dependent on online services that won’t exist forever.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is Nintendo’s next take on the hybrid console, promising better hardware, improved graphics, and full backward compatibility with the original Switch‘s colossal game library. Having a required day-one update suggests Nintendo is being extra cautious with its new system.
Cartridges vs. the cloud
While there’s still no clear word about whether brand-new Switch 2 games will also be locked behind the update, this situation shows how Nintendo is changing its stance on physical media. They’re reportedly introducing “game key cards” for some titles—physical cards with download codes instead of the actual game, which just pushes gamers closer to needing an online connection.
The requirement for a day-one update is a pretty big change from previous Nintendo consoles, which usually let you play straight from a physical cartridge. For now, early Switch 2 owners can only admire their new hardware while waiting for Nintendo to flip the switch on its update servers.
