Nintendo Answers further Switch Questions; No Backwards Compatibility with Games and Controllers

NINTENDO-SWITCH-1.png

Nintendo is clarifying (and not) questions regarding its upcoming home console-handheld hybrid.

Kotaku reached out to the House of Mario with a set of questions which recently replied. Those that stand out the most are:
  • No backwards compatibility with games and controllers for other systems. However, support for certain controllers may be considered for a future update.
  • No games being bundled with Nintendo Switch
  • 32GB of internal NAND memory, a portion of which is reserved for use by the system. The system’s internal memory can be easily expanded as needed using microSDXC cards (up to 2TB, when available on the market)
  • Capture button to take screenshots, which can be viewed and edited before sharing on social media. No video capture at launch but planning to add the ability to record video in the future.
  • Mii Maker app on the Switch
  • No video streaming at launch but is being considered for a future update
  • Region-free

You can read the full response below:

Is Switch backwards compatible in any way? Will you be able to download or play Wii, Wii U, or 3DS games?

The Nintendo Switch system is not backward compatible with games designed for other systems, and is not currently compatible with controllers designed for other systems. Support for certain controllers may be considered for a future update. We have nothing to announce regarding Virtual Console or other types of digital purchases at this time.

How if at all does the Switch connect to Wii U and 3DS owners’ existing accounts?

We have nothing to announce at this time.

Will the Switch be compatible with existing Virtual Console purchases?

We have nothing to announce at this time.

Will the Switch have its own library of Virtual Console games that starts from scratch, or will it bring over the Virtual Console library from 3DS and Wii U?

We have nothing to announce at this time.

How will SNES online functionality work? Which games will it support?

We have nothing to announce at this time.

For those concerned about the 32GB of storage, how will that work for playing downloadable games? How will it work for DLC and patches?

The Nintendo Switch system has 32GB of internal NAND memory, a portion of which is reserved for use by the system. The system’s internal memory can be easily expanded as needed using microSDXC cards.

The SDXC standard supports up to 2TB of storage. (Note that 2TB cards are not yet on the market, but Nintendo Switch will support them when they are.) External USB hard drives are not supported at launch, but we are researching the possibility of supporting them in the future.

If no microSDXC card is used, everything is stored in internal NAND memory. If a microSDXC card is used, game save data is stored in internal NAND memory while data that can be redownloaded, such as digital games, game updates, and DLC, is stored on the microSDXC card. Nintendo Switch game cards are non-writable; game save data is stored in internal NAND memory.

Is there a trophy or achievements system?

We have nothing to announce at this time.

The 3DS has built in games and the Wii and Wii U were bundled with games. Are there any games being bundled with the Switch?

There are no games being bundled with Nintendo Switch.

Every launch is different, and with each one we try to make the best decision for the consumer, marketplace and our company. We believe the hardware configuration at the price point we’ve chosen is a great consumer value. The consumer will have their choice of great software for the system.

How does the Share button work? Does it allow you to capture video as well as screenshots? Will it allow you to stream on Twitch or YouTube?

The Capture Button is located on the Joy-Con (L) controller and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and lets users grab screenshots from their games. They can then view, edit (add text of various sizes, colors and positions) and post them to social media. The original unedited screenshot is also saved.


We are planning to add the ability to record video in the future.

Switch won’t have Miiverse - will there be Miis? Or any other equivalent?

While Miiverse will continue to be supported on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems, our approach with the Nintendo Switch system is to make greater use of other established, broadly used social platforms. For example, captured gameplay screenshots can be shared on popular social networks, and social features such as voice chat are possible with smart devices through our app.

There is a Mii Maker on Nintendo Switch. The software to create Mii characters is now located in System Settings, and no longer resides on the HOME menu as a standalone application. You can also create a Mii character from the Profile screen. Making Mii characters is similar to the method used on past systems.

Mii characters can be used to represent a user profile, but are not required. Users also have the option to choose a profile picture from an included library of Nintendo character images. Mii characters can still be used in games if developers choose to include them.

You can send/receive Mii characters through local wireless communication between Nintendo Switch systems, or use an amiibo figure to transfer Mii Characters from Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems.

Mii characters on the Nintendo Switch system are similar to past iterations, but they have some different options. More facial components and colors for hair and skin have been added, while the following attributes have been removed: creator’s name, favorites, birthday, copying, and “public.”

Will Switch support Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO Go, or any other streaming services?

All of our efforts have gone toward making the Nintendo Switch system an amazing dedicated video game platform, so it will not support any video-streaming services at launch. However, support for video-streaming services is being considered for a future update.

Will online stores be region-free or just cartridges?

The Nintendo Switch system is not region locked, but we recommend that players buy games within their region to ensure full service and support. The user will access the Nintendo eShop that corresponds to the country identified in their Nintendo Account. (Up to eight user accounts can be created on a single Nintendo Switch system.)

:arrow: SOURCE
 

pikpol

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Fairly expensive console that does not include many extras, substantially increased game prices compared to the previous generation, accessories that cost an arm and a leg, no (guaranteed) backwards compatibility even if just for accessories and then paid online..

Gee, I wonder why people don't like the console.
I don't think the price is too high, at least in the US that is. Here in Europe those retailers make it very expensive. But the Switch has great features. There are a lot of new and old ways to play. As someone who is interested in game development, I am very excited for the possibility's this system brings to devs. I think this system gets great games and would be worth every penny once you played some games with it.
 

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That's the site I found and the reason I asked, because I couldn't believe it. Back to topic, countless people already use emulators on their PCs and MACs, so Nintendo could make alot of money by implementing a similar service. I know that, even though I could download all the roms for free, I would pay for a convenient service that lets me play old Nintendo games on PC and seamlessly on the Switch. (With cloud save)
 

spotanjo3

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I can't understand why everyone is so negative about the launch of the Switch and the decisions Nintendo makes?
The PS4 and the Xbox One both didn't have backwards compatibility and actually still don't have it.
So Nintendo is just following the rest, and I can't blame them. Most of the Nintendo users will keep their older consoles?
I know enough people who still have their Wii, even though they already bought new consoles.
And Nintendo is giving us Region Free systems from here on? Who doesn't like that?! And it will probably be better than that of PlayStation and Xbox, if you can really switch regions just by creating multiple profiles on the system.
No bundled games, who cares? Okay, Wii Sports was really fun to play. But with the Wii you were forced to buy it, right? I rather buy the games I really want than paying for something I normally wouldn't buy.
And knowing Nintendo, they will probably create those Switch bundles somewhere in the future.
At the end you always spend money on games, so why bother spending that 50 bucks on a game at launch?

Precisely! I don't understand either. Because they are annoying people ? Yeah.
 
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SomecallmeBerto

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That's the site I found and the reason I asked, because I couldn't believe it. Back to topic, countless people already use emulators on their PCs and MACs, so Nintendo could make alot of money by implementing a similar service. I know that, even though I could download all the roms for free, I would pay for a convenient service that lets me play old Nintendo games on PC and seamlessly on the Switch.

They just need to fix their VC prices. Anymore then $2 for an NES games is silly.
 

xile6

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1. Agreed.
2. I know the system is region free but does that mean they can go to the jap eshop and download games that way? I know importing is a thing now but I didn't hear anything on downloading out of region games.
3.System should still have more then 32GB of space. That is sad in 2017
4.Agreed.
5. proprietary memory cards are BS

6.What do you mean? We already an an online gamer account.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------



Guess we need a JKSM for the switch as well.
They hinted at being able to make another account out of your region so that would mean your able to download from the JAP eshop.
Yes 32gb is small but it also sd cards are cheap and the internal isnt being used for much. but you wouldnt want the price raise for small you might or might not use. And the game sizes are pretty small as of now. And the ps4 and xbox both came with 500gb and most of there game files size are 20-50gb.
Vs the switch zelda being 13gb and you dont have to install it.
And i have a nintendo account already. They made it a while back when the NX was talk about. There is word that it will switch over to a gamer account on the switch.
Dont remember where i read it from but that is what was said.
 

air2004

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Nintendo is clarifying (and not) questions regarding its upcoming home console-handheld hybrid.

Kotaku reached out to the House of Mario with a set of questions which recently replied. Those that stand out the most are:
  • No backwards compatibility with games and controllers for other systems. However, support for certain controllers may be considered for a future update.
  • No games being bundled with Nintendo Switch
  • 32GB of internal NAND memory, a portion of which is reserved for use by the system. The system’s internal memory can be easily expanded as needed using microSDXC cards (up to 2TB, when available on the market)
  • Capture button to take screenshots, which can be viewed and edited before sharing on social media. No video capture at launch but planning to add the ability to record video in the future.
  • Mii Maker app on the Switch
  • No video streaming at launch but is being considered for a future update
  • Region-free

You can read the full response below:



:arrow: SOURCE
Sounds like Nintendo is killing the switch before it even had a chance to live ...
Who am I kidding, the console was doomed from the start and this is just one more nail in its proverbial coffin.
 

Fil o_O

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Their library is so huge, an annual or a monthly plan that lets you play the whole library while you're a subscriber, across multiple platforms. PC and switch. The server costs would be minimal, because the data of those games are tiny, so they could pay for bigger servers as needed for Splattonn or Smach Bros
 

Boogieboo6

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In your dream. Oh yeah, you just guess and not a fact. :). No, look at PS4, it's not backwards compatible either.. Nothing to do with the exploits found in PS3.
Well, there's PS Now for PS3 games now. Also, some Xbox 360 games are compatible with Xbox One. I think they're all digital though. Really, it seems the competition is backwards compatible and Nintendo isn't. At least until they come out with some kind of PS Now like system.
 

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Bladexdsl

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They hinted at being able to make another account out of your region so that would mean your able to download from the JAP eshop.
you can access any region with a different account up to 8. good news for you muricans we are 1 day ahead so we will get games 1st so you can access our store and get the games early :P
 
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xile6

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They just need to fix their VC prices. Anymore then $2 for an NES games is silly.
100% true.
Its so dumb to price these games at $10-$20 when everyone has already play them or have them on another system.
They should simply charge a fix rate. $1-$4 would be nice. it would be inline with cellphone games and i would see more people buying them at lower prices.
I think its better to have 1,000 people buy $1 games vs 100 people buy $5 games
 

Fil o_O

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With Nintendo's new paid online, Nintendo gives out a NES/SNES game to play for free for one month. Once the month is up, you can't play it anymore and have to buy it.

This must be the most ridiculous business plan I've ever heard... 1 Game per month and you don't get to keep it? No, we want to browse through thier entire library and play everything - it's not even about keeping, it's about playing while subscribing...
 

Fil o_O

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1-2 switch and chill... ?

Also, I bet they choose the game that's free for the month also, the customer doesn't even get to choose thier free game for the month... Now I'm seriously not interested in this online-feature anymore...
 
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Tom Bombadildo

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1-2 switch and chill... ?

Also, I bet they choose the game that's free for the month also, the customer doesn't even get to choose thier free game for the month... Now I'm seriously not interested in this online-feature anymore...
They do, it's not chosen by the user. It's like PS+ or Games with Gold, Nintendo chooses the game, you have to deal with what they chose.
 

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