It’s been nearly two weeks since the Nintendo Switch 2 launched. Since then, it’s sold over 3.5 million units within the first four days, making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever.
While the Switch 2 has a stellar lineup of racing games at launch, from Mario Kart World to Fast Fusion, it’s also backwards compatible with the original Switch. That means you can easily transfer games from your original Switch library and continue your progress, with some games looking and performing better on the new console.
However, not every Switch game is backwards compatible on Switch 2.
Nintendo has compiled a list of games with compatibility issues on Switch 2 that prevent players from progressing, or, in some cases, starting the game. While patch updates have resolved these issues for several games, some racing titles are still plagued with compatibility issues.
One example is the 2019 Switch port of Grid Autosport, originally released on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2014. Featuring a variety of motorsport disciplines from single-seaters to touring cars and a lengthy career mode, it’s one of the only serious racing games on the platform, alongside more casual racers like Mario Kart 8: Deluxe and Burnout Paradise Remastered.   Â
At the time of writing, players are reportedly experiencing game crashes when starting Grid Autosport, and it can’t be purchased on the console’s online eShop.
Although Nintendo hasn’t released a fix yet, players have found a workaround to make Grid Autosport will run on Switch 2 by playing in Airplane mode, bizarrely.
Another Switch 1 racing game with compatibility issues on Nintendo’s new console is NASCAR Rivals, a Switch exclusive based on the 2022 season and a follow-up to NASCAR Heat Ultimate Edition+.
Notably, it’s also the last official NASCAR game Motorsport Games helmed after the much-maligned NASCAR 21: Ignition. Since then, iRacing acquired the license and is currently working on NASCAR 25 due to arrive in September or October.
Other Switch racing and driving games with backwards compatibility problems on Switch 2 include TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3, WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship and WRC 9 The Official Game.
This may suggest underlying issues with the KT Engine that powers these Nacon-published games. Coincidentally, TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2 was also incompatible with the PlayStation 5 at launch.
Nintendo is investigating these issues, so patch updates will hopefully make these games fully compatible on Switch 2.
Switch 1 racing games with compatibility issues on Switch 2 (correct as of 17th June 2025)
- Grid Autosport
- NASCAR Rivals
- Quick Race
- TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3
- WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship
- WRC 9 The Official Game
Fortunately, several driving games that previously had compatibility issues like Asphalt Legends Unite, Hot Wheels Unleashed and Rocket League have already been patched for Switch 2.
However, Nintendo notes that players may experience slowdown in MotoGP 21, 22, 23 and Trials Rising and that “game behaviour may vary from Nintnedo Switch.”
Switch 1 racing games with compatibility updates for Switch 2 (correct as of 17th June)
- Arcade Archives NEW RALLY-X
- Asphalt Legends Unite
- Bus Simulator 2023: City Driver
- Hot Wheels Unleashed
- Gas Guzzlers Extreme
- Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame
- MotoGP 21
- Moto GP22
- MotoGP 23
- OMG Police Car Chase TV Simulator
- Rocket League
- RiMS Racing
- Star Wars Episode I: Racer
- Trials Rising Standard Edition
- V-Rally 4
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