If you've been wondering when you will finally be able to enjoy Virtual Console games on the Switch, you might be in for some disappointment...

Answering to Kotaku, a Nintendo Spokesperson said that “there are currently no plans to bring classic games together under the Virtual Console banner as has been done on other Nintendo systems.”

“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,” the Nintendo spokesperson added. “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.”

SOURCE

 

[ATofix]

All they are doing is retiring the virtual console line. Look at his wording: “there are currently no plans to bring classic games together under the Virtual Console banner as has been done on other Nintendo systems.”

No plans to bring them under the virtual console line. They will still bring the games to the switch at some point. Just not under that branding. In fact i'd bet on it.

Edit: Oooo! Cloud saves!

 

[ov3rkill]

Maybe Nintendo is calling them something else. Hence, the reason there won't be a Virtual Console as it would be renamed or perhaps an upgrade to something better.
I'm sure they will always find a way to milk even the old franchises in emulation.

 

[Hyborix3]

Virtual Ports Legacy Collection with an added bonus of Funky Kong

 

[BORTZ]

I always thought that taking advantage of the VC was a good idea. I dont understand why nintendo would get rid of that... unless they are trying to get us to use that garbage subscription service. Nintendo has never been good with online stuff...

 

[linuxares]

They should just put the games under the montly cost of the online and you have a whole library of games to play from.

 

[sarkwalvein]

Well, before we had an umbrella for classic games, known as Virtual Console. There won't be an umbrella anymore.
What is sad about it?
There will probably be no effort to pursuit licencing and publishing of old games from diverse companies and systems like before.
Suppose Nintendo wanted to release a collection of Nintendo games... they probably will, under the online paywall.
Suppose Konami wanted to release a collection of Konami games... they also may, or may not.
Suppose Sega wanted to release a collection of Sega games... those will be called Sega Ages.
Now, if there is no company already holding rights for the games and with a position strong enough to publish them, probably those won't be published at all.

So probably forget about any C64 games (their VC sucked anyway), or games from small or dead companies.
It will be like in the PS2 times or before that, there will be no effort to collect licences and release them, that doesn't stop companies that already own the IPs to release collections on their own.

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

But Retroarch is already up and running...

Shhhhh... the Nintendo Ninja's are always lurking.

 

[Deleted member 420418]

Nooooo, how am I going to play GameCube games.

 

[pedro702]

i hope this makes the n64 mini a thing really, i really want an announcement for it

 

[gamesquest1]

yeah I could imagine them trying to branch out to become the Netflix of retro games

 

[VashTS]

Me: I got to tell you, Nintendo, with no disrespect, I really think what you're doing here is unethical. It's not cool. Y-y-you got the people on this world slaving away [burps] playing your emulators. I mean, that's what I call slavery.

Nintendo: No, no, no, they play online in exchange for money, which they then--

Me: Well, that just sounds like RetroArch with extra steps.

Nintendo: Eek barba dirkle, somebody's gonna get laid in college.

well jokes on you Nintendo, i have homebrew access

 

[Deleted User]

Nooooo, how am I going to play GameCube games.

on a gamecube like a normal person? XD

 

[Exaltys]

under the Virtual Console banner

So, they are just calling it something else?

 

[sarkwalvein]

So, they are just calling it something else?

I think it means there will be no umbrella at all, only a few independent efforts by separate companies. As I said above.

 

[tiamat999]

Introducing Nintendo now streaming service

 

[oji]

Isn't Switch already have a Virtual Console for Wii U titles? Almost every single game is re-released at a full price, enjoy.

 

[NostalgicMillennial]

Off topic but isn't the USB hardware hack going to give us emulation? I was forced to update.

I really want to get one over on them for pulling this if they refuse to offer a replacement for VC (without subscription fee)

 

[Cubuss]

If the leaks are true:

-Nintendo is ditching the Virtual Console brand and replacing it with ‘Nintendo Classics’. Games offered through this are much cheaper than they were before and is going to launch with NES and GBA games in August with SNES and N64 games being made available late 2018/ early 2019.

 

[sarkwalvein]

Off topic but isn't the USB hardware hack going to give us emulation? I was forced to update.

I really want to get one over on them for pulling this if they refuse to offer a replacement for VC (without subscription fee)

AFAIK, you can launch HBL from Atmosphere (given some twitter pics from SciresM), and you can launch RetroArch from HBL... So yes?

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

kinda mad that they add online to nintendo games and not neo-geo games on the swtich...

It's cause the neo geo games were prodcued by hamster corp, which don't really focus on having online modes but accuracy in emulation. Though if it did have online modes, it would cost more than $7.99, probably up to $14.99 like the ones on ps4 and psvita done by code mystics.

I'm a bit upset about this too but that's why I didn't buy any neo geo games, but if you think about it, as @Prans said, the companies already decided to do compilation ports of their games.

SNK 40 Anniversary collection
Namco Museum collection (Download on Eshop)
Sega Ages collection for switch
Capcom's Mega man & Mega man X legacy collections 1 & 2
Hamster Corp's arcade archives (download on eshop)

With more potential people probably doing things this way, It could be pointless for nintendo to continue Virtual Console this way. Most of what virtual console is to have a assortment of games from specific consoles to play, if they did it now, it would probably just be only nintendo games to choose from which isn't much for anyone to be super duper excited about. There is just about two handful of good first party titles for each system, have to keep reminding ourself that majority of games people did like was third party.

Sure a low cost one game out of many is better to choose what you like, but some times compilation games are good to help other people find good games (or bad) while safely purchasing a game they are already familiar with and like playing. (I played beyond oasis first time on Sonic Ultimate Genesis Collection on my ps3, which is a great game everyone should try if they like legend of zelda)