It’s Time to Bring 3DS Games to Switch

As we sit on the eve of the Metroid: Samus Returns launch date, You cannot help but think about the Nintendo Switch and it’s place in the Nintendo Ecosystem. The Switch is the first console ever to straddle the line of a Home Console and a Portable Console. In an effort to continue sales of the 3DS, Nintendo has yet to join these two libraries. You may understand the initial thought behind a continued support for the 3DS, but what you might not understand is why both consoles continue to be segregated? This is not a win for fans, of either machine, and it doesn’t appear to be a win for Nintendo either.

[EddieNX]

Kid Icarus uprising would be amazing if it were remastered!!!! And if they replaced those silly stylus controls with regular dual stick controls. They Need to do it!!! Samus returns and Luigis Mansion 2 could work great too!

[Nodoze]

300% agreed and as an added benefit the control scheme could be VASTLY improved. While I loved the game on 3DS the controls were awful.

[EddieNX]

It has the quality of a console game (orchestral score etc ) It seems to be the one 3DS game that would work the best imo

[Nintentional]

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask 3D bundle please. Also Starfox, Monster Hunter 4, A Link Between Worlds, and Fire Emblem.

[-GreenRanger]

Oh great, the market really needs to be flooded with more remasters. Yes yes indeed. Or just move on to new games.

[neolego]

This isn’t about remastered. This is about putting games on both The Switch and 3DS, day and date. Remastered are a different story altogether.

[MrFunsockz]

Remasters have a legitimate place in the industry. I think we need to see some more ports if we Wii U games first though. It's a crime so few people got to experience Tokyo Mirage Sessions, or Bayonetta 2.

[neolego]

We do need more Wii U ports, for sure. But the idea here is bringing 3DS software to the Switch date and day, there really isn’t a need for Nintendo to push two portable consoles in this market.

[BlacKJesu5]

But they kinda are

[blawren4]

until the numbers of the Switch in the wild are sufficient to sustain Nintendo from a solftware standpoint, then there will continue to be a division. Going all in with the Switch would yield short and medium term losses since the supply and install base isn't there yet. Limping in with the Switch could hurt sales of the Switch, which is partly what we saw with the Wii U. It's a difficult balance, for sure. As we've already been seeing, We will gradually, see more games coming to Switch and less coming to 3ds.

[ifrit_caress]

Yes, we need Bayonetta 2.

[Nintendo4Lifex]

Called buy a Wii u.

[PhoenixUp]

"The Switch is the first console ever to straddle the line of a Home Console and a Portable Console."

Sega Nomad says hi

[Neonridr]

"The Switch is the first SUCCESSFUL console.."

there.. better?

[PhoenixUp]

Much better

[FallenAngel1984]

@ Neo

Well PSP was the first successful platform to blur the lines between console and handheld

[neolego]

I guess you could argue that it introduced the idea, but it was limited to WiFi connection and the dependency of another machine. The Switch is a full stand alone home console and a full stand alone portable, at the same time. But like I said, I do get your point for sure.

[FallenAngel1984]

You could actually play your PSP games on a TV just like with Switch.

http://kotaku.com/5396771/p...
https://www.lifewire.com/ps...

Switch just made this feature its main selling point

[EddieNX]

The Gameboy player allowed you to play your games on the TV too and came before psp

[Prince_TFK]

It is not about who done it first. Nintendo never boast that the Switch is the first of it kind. Only fanboys here that always bring it up to relief their insecurities.

The Switch is a success and has multiple great game in just half a year. Learn to accept that.

[BlacKJesu5]

@eddie that needed another console

[FallenAngel1984]

@ Eddie

That was an add-on accessory though, not the actual Game Boy itself as is the case with PSP & Switch

[blawren4]

Not even the same, and outputting to TV isn't the point. The point is that the quality of handheld and docked is equivalent. It's the same game, not a handheld that is a couple of gens in power behind the home console version. We have been chasing this with handhelds for decades, and just now are we realizing the dream. We were close with the Vita, I think in only a gen back in power, but the Switch is the same.

Those of us that are older, remember what caused arcades to die out. To me, it was the point when home consoles exceeded the quality of arcade machines. Same thing is beginning to happen to the home console market, with handhelds catching up. It will be a very long time before that happens, but the law of diminishing returns tells us that strict home consoles could eventually be phased out when we no longer care about further graphical improvements. Think about it this way, after 4k, will we ever need better resolution? Smaller machines will eventually be able to produce this.

[FallenAngel1984]

At the time PSP was released it had parity with the consoles at the time of its launch. Same case with the Vita as is the case with NS.

Handhelds could never override the need for dedicated home consoles

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack.
*Mic Drop*

[neolego]

All day long! haha. Love Might Gunvolt Burst, by the way!!

[chris235]

already crying for ports? this gen is so strange.

[neolego]

I don't think any crying was involved in my article. The point that I'm trying to get across is carrying around 2 devices. If you want to check twitter, you don't have to carry an iPhone and an Android phone, they both cover that. If you want to play Metroid: Samus Returns and Mario Odyssey, you do have to carry around both a Switch and a 3DS. I would gladly pay a little more to just be able to play all new Nintendo games on the Switch.

[Fist4achin]

I think remsters are a great way for newcomers or fans that missed out to experience some older classics.

[Apex13]

No it really isn't.

[neolego]

You make a very good point. haha :)

[Apex13]

Honestly, as nice as it would be, if they did that it would make it a handheld by the default which it isn't. It's best to keep softwares seperate.

[neolego]

@ a_adji - I see the point you are trying to make, however I would have to argue that it's not he best. I personally sold my 3DS and use my Switch exclusively. So by keeping the libraries separate means that I have to skip Metroid...and Nintendo doesn't get my $40. I personally know 6 people that own a Switch, but down own a 3DS. If that is the ratio in my personal life, I have to imagine that there are plenty of Switch owners that don't have a 3DS. By bringing the software to both system, it doesn't hurt Nintendo. in fact, you could argue that it will help them. Sure, my $40 doesn't amount to much in their eyes, but when there is the potential to have 1 million Switch owners buy Metroid: Samus Returns, it makes good business to consider it.

[ifrit_caress]

Nintendo has made a beautiful legacy with the 3DS.

[soulrebel]

It's time to bring virtual console to switch

[meka2611]

I'm still wondering why after all these years they still haven't made a pokemon console game. I'm not a pokemon fan but you would figure at this point fans would get a full console game, and not the arena games that have come out.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

I had to choose 10 3DS exclusive games to be remade for Switch in HD.
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Persona Q
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
Bravely Default
Bravely Second
Rune Factory 4
Final Fantasy Explorers
Monster Hunter Stories
Dragon Ball Fusions
Ever Oasis

[neolego]

This is a GREAT list! I could love the Bravely games on Switch for sure.

[rashada07]

I'd love to play A Link Between Worlds on my Switch!

[FernDiggidy]

Give us GC virtual console already, FFS!!!

[deafdani]

I would love it, but how would they circumvent the issue with games that used the analog triggers like Mario Sunshine?

[FernDiggidy]

They're a multi billion dollar enterprise, I'm sure they can figure that out.

[RosweeSon]

Would just like a VC in general to be honest where is it wanna know what's gonna transfer before I purchase any more

[Takwin]

Can you imagine if they just brought simple ports of 3DS games? That's over 1000 games. It can't be that hard to do 3DS, DS, NES, and SNES. You are talking a Virtual Console with over 2000 games and next year they can put actual work into bringing us good ones for N64 and Gamecube.

[deafdani]

NES and SNES would be relatively easy, yes (and I bet they're coming), but 3DS and DS not so much, because their games are all designed with 2 screens in mind (one of them a touch screen, too). That would surely pose some issues for the Switch, especially if you want to be able to play them in TV mode. They probably would have to make them only playable on handheld mode, but even then, it probably would be hella inconvenient.

[Bronxs15]

Hmm so everyone agrees with this... Even though you wouldn't need a 3DS anymore because it wouldn't have any "exclusives". Why buy a 3DS if you can just play it's games on a Switch.

But MS gives you a Windows version of a game if you buy the Xbox game (and vice versa) and it's largely critisized.

[deafdani]

3DS came out more than 6 years ago. It's on its way out.

Xbox One isn't even 4 years old yet, and it's already being rendered almost irrelevant for anyone that has a PC. And this has been going on already for a while now. From this point onwards, Xbox One will practically not have any real exclusives that make it worth a buy. Meanwhile the 3DS has had literally dozens, if not hundreds of them for years, so where's the harm in bringing some of these games to the Switch after 3DS sales start dying?

You're making a kinda apples to oranges comparison.

[Bronxs15]

See below

[Bronxs15]

I see your point, but as a gamer wouldnt' you be happy about xbox's decision? There's one less barrier in your way to play a game. Say you wanted to play forza horizon 3. well you don't have to buy a xbox one now, u can get it on your pc. do you care to play forza horizon 3 or that xbox one has "exclusives" ?

hypothetically, if your a gamer with an xbox one only. and sony says, hey uncharted 4 is coming to xbox one. would you say "yay! i can play this game now" or "boo! that sucks sony doesn't have exclusives anymore" ?

[neolego]

I totally see where you are coming from. To be totally honestly with you, I am not a fan of exclusive games at all. If I were in charge of video games (it's meant to be funny) then I would have every game release on every platform and give gamers the choice to play where they want.

For example, I prefer the Xbox One UI, EcoSystem, and Controller to that of the PS4. When Battlefront 2 comes out in November, I will buy it on Xbox One because that's the system that I prefer. I don't own a PS4, so I haven't played Uncharted 4. If it was released on the Xbox One, I would have purchased it for sure. Now, I have to decide if I want to buy a 2nd platform for just 1 exclusive game...and for me, it's not worth it, which is why I haven't.

The reason I think this is a little different with the Switch and 3DS, is because they are portable consoles. I can easily own a PS4, Xbox One, and even a Gaming PC. All 3 of those can connect to my TV, via USB, and I can play them as I want. With a portable, the conceit here is that you can take it wherever you want. Most of the games that I play on the Switch, and formerly on the 3DS, I played on the go or away from a TV. Waiting to get my hair cut, sitting at the doctor's office, getting coffee with friends, or even on the toilet. Back to the point of my article, if I want to play PokeMon AND Fire Emblem Warriors both, this holiday, I will be required to carry around 2 machines. It would just be nice for Nintendo to give me the option, since I've joined the Switch family, to play it's other, portable games, on the system of my preference. I don't think that it will happen, but I do think it's what should happen.

Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts.

[Bronxs15]

That's a very good point about carrying only one portable. I didn't think about that.

[JimmyDM90]

I agree they should start bringing 3ds games to Switch but I completely disargree that they should charge more for them if they're essentially the exact same experience. Unless the switch version comes with something extra that proves that they've really put some thought and effort into it then keep the price the same. Otherwise you're just asking for trouble, Super Bomberman R comes to mind when it comes to Nintendo Switch Up/overcharging. Besides by keeping these prices lower I think they'd sell a lot more copies on Switch then if they tried to upcharge consumers just because they can. If players see, "oh this is only 40 bucks." It's a lot easier for them to take a chance on it and they're far less likely to feel ripped of when they realize the game is a more modest experience.

[neolego]

Man, I totally agree that I would HOPE the cost would be the same. My point was, as a fan of the Switch, I would happily pay an extra $10-$15 per game, if that was the cost of porting. However, you are spot on man, if this happens it should be a standard cost.