Is there a way to System Transfer and keep games on both OLED1 and Switch2?

[fallen yoke]

My Switch 1 would become a paperweight if everything is deleted off my OLED for Switch 2. I want my OLED able to be used still for all the games I've purchased. Surely there's a way to do this?

[magic musk]

The System Transfer process during the setup of the Switch 2 does not factory reset the Switch 1 (that is, if you use the local communications option and not the server upload option. The server upload option DOES factory reset your switch, more info here: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68432/).

System Transfer using local communication almost leaves your Switch 1 as is besides a few details:

This is explained during the System Transfer process but basically the process COPIES all save data that is supported by Save Data Cloud Backup to the S2 and MOVES anything that isn't supported by Save Data Cloud Backup (ACNH, Pokemon games) to the Switch 2.

There is also a step to copy all screenshots/videos to the Switch 2 by inserting the Switch 1 MicroSD card into the Switch 2.

So your Switch 1 will basically be the same besides not having Pokemon save data/ACNH/demos save data, but Pokemon save data can be moved back if you'd like using the steps at this page (under "Transfer Your Save Data"):

https://www.nintendo.com/sg/support/switch/secondary/transfer.html?srsltid=AfmBOor4KQUys1MP3O0MYRJSQqw4WdK0SwGdkKb-UvSdWemKRLppV3XM

For ACNH, you can also transfer your Island back to Switch 1 if you wished to via the Island Transfer tool.

For games that support Save Data Cloud Backup, you can go back and forth between the S1 and S2: everytime you exit the game on either console a backup of your most recent save data will be uploaded, so you just have to make sure to download that backup on the other console before continuing to play the game on it.

[fallen yoke]

This was very helpful, thank you. I hope it helps others if they search System Transfer. If I can squeeze 2 more answers out of you

1. I saw Animal Crossing being transferred. I'm sure my wife wants to play on the Switch 2, but if I'm on it, I'd like for her to be able to just use the OLED Switch for the same island. Is that possible, or the island would have to be transferred back and forth?

2. I bought a few games digitally, so let's use Mario Party. It seemed to hint that it would 'transfer' to switch 2 and I wouldn't be able to play it on the OLED anymore.

[magic musk]

1. Unfortunately since ACNH isn't supported by Save Data Cloud Backup, you'd have to transfer it back and forth via the island transfer tool. Might not be worth it depending on how tedious it is and how long it takes each time.

2. Mario Party should be supported by Save Data Cloud Backups so you should be able to go back and forth easily, as long as you're signed into both the S2 and OLED with the same account. Just make sure to download the latest cloud backup before starting it on either console.

I tested this out myself today: I played Super Mario Odyssey on S2, exited the game (which automatically initiated the Cloud backup), went to my OLED, put the cartridge in, downloaded the backup that the S2 just made, and started from where I left off on the S2. My OLED prompted me to enable automatic backup downloads, but I always double check that it did so as to make sure I'm picking up where I left off on the other console.