On June 19, Limited Run Games announced that the most recent Nintendo Switch 2 firmware update has addressed backward compatibility issues with titles using the Carbon Engine. As a result, games such as Tomba: Special Edition, Shantae, and River City Girls Zero should now function correctly on Switch 2 consoles that are running firmware version 20.1.5 or later.
Like its predecessor, the Switch 2 operating system receives regular firmware updates aimed at enhancing performance, resolving bugs, and sometimes introducing new user features. Nonetheless, many updates often focus on fixing unspecified bugs and improving system stability. The update noted in the patch notes simply mentioned improvements for overall system stability. To apply the 20.1.5 update, users must connect their Switch 2 devices to the Internet, after which the console will automatically restart following a brief download.
Although Nintendo did not provide detailed information on the new firmware changes, Limited Run Games confirmed that various titles reliant on the Carbon Engine would now function properly post-update. This Engine facilitates retro games to be ported to modern systems, allowing developers to implement enhancements or features not present in the original versions. Notably, 12 Carbon Engine titles were previously affected by compatibility problems with the Switch 2, including Tomba: Special Edition, Felix the Cat, River City Girls Zero, and Shantae. Prior to the update, some of these games encountered startup issues or displayed buggy textures and performance glitches.
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
In addition to the backward compatibility updates, Limited Run Games also shared the latest developments regarding the recently launched Gex Trilogy, which continues to experience compatibility issues on the Switch 2. The firm dispatched a bug-fix patch last week; however, the ongoing Juneteenth holiday in the US has slowed down Nintendo’s approval process. Nevertheless, Limited Run Games expects to roll out the patch shortly.
For the time being, the Gex Trilogy has been temporarily removed from the Switch 2 eShop until the backward compatibility patch is both deployed and thoroughly tested. With additional Carbon Engine titles like Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection and Tomba 2 anticipated for release in 2025, it remains uncertain how those games will perform on Nintendo’s latest console.
