Yesterday, Nintendo announced its plans for its upcoming online service for the Nintendo Switch, launching in September. One aspect was missing from the details: the Virtual Console. The Virtual Console has been a Nintendo staple since the Wii, allowing users to digitally purchase retro games. In a statement made to Kotaku, Nintendo said it will not feature the Virtual Console on its current platform.
Nintendo: “There are currently no plans to bring classic games together under the Virtual Console banner as has been done on other Nintendo systems,”
It is important to consider the wording and prior announcement here. We do know that classic NES games like Super Mario Bros. and Ice Climber will be featured on the service with added online play, according to Nintendo. A company spokesperson outlined to Kotaku the details of the NES on Switch:
“Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online will provide a fun new way to experience classic NES games that will be different from the Virtual Console service, thanks to enhancements such as added online play, voice chat via the Nintendo Switch Online app and the various play modes of Nintendo Switch.”
The spokesperson also outlined ways to play "classic" games from Nintendo and other publishers on Switch:
“There are a variety of ways in which classic games from Nintendo and other publishers are made available on Nintendo Switch, such as through Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo eShop or as packaged collections,”
There are a few things to glean from all of this. One, the "Virtual Console" name will not be used. Two, only NES games will be available on the online service for now, and NES games will also be regularly added, according to Nintendo. Three, does "classic games" on eShop mean that games from other Nintendo consoles will be available for purchase at some point? Four, we know SEGA plans to release classic titles on Switch. Plus, classic Neo Geo arcade fighter Fatal Fury and shooter Blazing Star are already on the console. So, older titles are available on Switch, but, NES titles will be the only retro Nintendo titles available on the online service. So, if you want to play Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, or Super Mario 64, you may have to just continue using your Wii or Wii U Virtual Console.
In an older interview with IGN, Nintendo stated it would continue to consider SNES games for Switch's online service, but at launch it would just be the NES:
Nintendo:"At launch, the classic game library will include NES games. Super NES games continue to be under consideration, but we have nothing further to announce at this time."
When asked by Kotaku if Nintendo had plans to feature other platform's games on the online service, the spokesperson stated that the company had “nothing to announce on this topic.”
RELATED: 15 Awesome Things You Didn’t Know About The Nintendo Switch
This will come as a disappointment to fans who were looking forward to playing Nintendo's massive line of first party titles. This doesn't mean that Nintendo won't add SNES or Nintendo 64 games. But, for the time being, fans will only be able to enjoy NES titles. Based on the wording however, it might also mean that NES titles will be free with the online, but other console's titles will be available on eShop. That is just speculation based on the vague wording however. But, generally speaking, the main thing is that only NES titles will be available through the online service at launch, and it looks like those hoping to see GameCube titles, will unfortunately have to keep hoping