On June 19, Limited Run Games confirmed that the latest Nintendo Switch 2 firmware update 20.1.5 successfully resolved backward compatibility issues affecting several retro titles built on the Carbon Engine. According to the publisher, beloved classics like Tomba: Special Edition, Shantae, and River City Girls Zero should now run properly on the new hardware.
Like the original Switch, the Switch 2 receives regular firmware updates to address performance concerns and improve system stability. While version 20.1.5 offered no detailed changelog—only listing “general system stability improvements”—players and developers quickly discovered a major fix hidden beneath the surface.
Limited Run Games Confirms Fix for Carbon Engine Titles
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Limited Run Games shared that Switch 2 firmware version 20.1.5 has resolved key issues affecting 12 Carbon Engine titles. These issues included game loading failures, buggy textures, and poor performance on the newer console.
The affected titles included:
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Tomba: Special Edition
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Shantae
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Felix the Cat
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River City Girls Zero
…and several others developed or published by Limited Run Games.
The Carbon Engine is a framework used to bring classic retro games to modern platforms with added enhancements like save states, visual filters, and quality-of-life improvements. Unfortunately, its integration initially clashed with the new Switch 2 architecture—until now.
How to Get the Update
To benefit from the fix, users must ensure their Switch 2 is connected to the Internet and updated to firmware version 20.1.5. Once the update is downloaded, the console will restart automatically.
To check or update your firmware:
Go to System Settings > System > System Update
More Updates Likely on the Way
While Nintendo did not publicly acknowledge the specific fixes, the successful resolution of compatibility issues for Carbon Engine games may indicate that more targeted improvements are coming in future updates. Gamers can now enjoy a smoother retro experience on the Switch 2—especially for titles that were previously unplayable or unstable.
Stay tuned as both Nintendo and publishers like Limited Run Games continue refining the Switch 2’s support for legacy content and retro favorites.