Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about SwitchDB: how it works, where game data comes from, and how you can contribute.
What is SwitchDB?
SwitchDB is a community-driven compatibility database for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games. Think of it as a ProtonDB for Switch - players share their real-world experience running games, and those reports are aggregated into easy-to-understand ratings.
Who is behind SwitchDB?
SwitchDB is built and maintained by tasta.space as an independent community project. It is not affiliated with Nintendo.
Do I need an account to use SwitchDB?
No. SwitchDB is designed to be as frictionless as possible. You can browse games, read reports, and submit your own reports without creating an account or signing in.
How do you get the game data?
Game metadata (titles, covers, genres, release dates, developers, publishers) is sourced from public game databases including IGDB and RAWG. Metacritic scores are synced from Metacritic. Switch 2 patch and upgrade information is researched from official Nintendo announcements and publisher confirmations.
Where does the compatibility data come from?
All compatibility ratings come from the community. Real players submit reports based on their first-hand experience running games on Switch hardware. These individual reports are averaged into an overall rating per platform. See our Reporting Guidelines for details on how to contribute.
What do the rating tiers mean?
SwitchDB uses five tiers:
- Diamond - Runs flawlessly
- Gold - Runs great with minor issues
- Silver - Playable with noticeable issues
- Copper - Runs poorly
- Rusty - Barely runs or unplayable
The overall rating is a weighted average of all community reports for that game on that platform.
What is the difference between Switch and Switch 2 ratings?
Each game can have separate ratings for the original Nintendo Switch (including Lite and OLED models) and the Nintendo Switch 2. A game might run at Gold on Switch but Diamond on Switch 2 thanks to better hardware, or vice versa if a port has issues.
What does "Switch 2 Patch" mean?
Some games receive free or paid patches/upgrades that enhance them specifically for Switch 2 hardware. "Free patch" means the developer released a free update with Switch 2 enhancements. "Paid upgrade" means you need to purchase an upgrade or a new version to get Switch 2 improvements.
How is my privacy protected?
SwitchDB does not require accounts, does not track you, and does not use analytics cookies. When you submit a report, your IP address is converted into an irreversible hash (salted SHA-256) used solely for rate limiting. The original IP is never stored. Read our Privacy Policy for full details.
Can I edit or delete my report?
Since reports are anonymous and not tied to accounts, you cannot edit a previous report. However, you can submit a new report if your experience changes (for example, after a game update). Old reports and new reports are both factored into the overall rating.
How often are ratings updated?
Compatibility summaries are recalculated automatically. When you submit a report, the game's rating is updated shortly after. Hourly recalculations also run to keep all data fresh.
How many games does SwitchDB cover?
SwitchDB currently tracks thousands of Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games. New games are added regularly through automated imports from game databases. If a game is missing, it may be added in the next import cycle.
Is SwitchDB affiliated with Nintendo?
No. SwitchDB is an independent community project. Nintendo, Switch, and Switch 2 are trademarks of Nintendo. All game titles and artwork are property of their respective owners.
How can I support SwitchDB?
The best way to support SwitchDB is to submit compatibility reports for the games you play. The more reports we have, the more useful the database becomes for everyone. You can also share SwitchDB with other Switch players, or buy me a coffee to help keep the project running.
I found a bug or have a suggestion. How do I report it?
Visit our Support page to report bugs, request features, or ask questions.