Nintendo Classic Consoles Are Replacing the Virtual Console, Not Nintendo Online

Nintendo Classic Consoles Are Replacing the Virtual Console - With massive restocks of the NES and SNES classic consoles, along with rumors of a GCN Classic and N64 Classic console, Nintendo has no need for a virtual console.

[HeyHeyHeyGaming]

Nintendo is making easy money off of these retro consoles. No way they stop now

[emiyaxtousaka]

if they drop a GCN classic edition, it will make so much money. With the Switch's limited amount of memory I'm not sure GC games would work on there tbh.

[Concertoine]

They run incredibly well on the nvidia shield which is basically switch tech.

[MasterChief3624]

The Switch has limited onboard memory, but you are able and encouraged to use a microSD card that ups the capacity significantly. I think you can go up to 256 GB?

[Concertoine]

@MasterChief

Actually i think it goes up to 1TB or 2TB, which dont exist yet but when they do the switch can support them.

Right now 400GB is the biggest memory card ive seen.

[Kosic]

Shame really, as I would've loved to pick up some virtual console titles on the switch. These re-make consoles don't interest me in the slightest.

[FallenAngel1984]

There isn’t a need for Virtual Console. Not every console will be featured on these mini consoles.

VC will always be an appreciated feature

[strayanalog]

And while I understand where you're coming from, I think you're looking at it wrong.

I always thought the classic consoles were for fans/collectors or the, lack of a better term, nostalgic casual. You know, the ones who can't justify buying a $300-$400 console for a few games or simply don't care to play anymore, so $60 dollars is a fine investment for something they did like or know about.

Nintendo's online service - yes, the one everyone bashes before seeing it - is the Virtual Console replacement. It's the next logical step for it whether anyone believes it or not.
So let's sit back and relax and react when we know, for sure, what Nintendo is doing with their service, because until then it's all speculation and needless negativity for half of the story.‎

[emiyaxtousaka]

I kinda think they started out as a nostalgia thing, but, they've done way better than Nintendo could have ever imagined, so, I don't think they stop making them now. Putting GCN games on the switch will be hard IMO because of system memory issues. I only have a 64 gb micro sd and that's barely enough for my regular games (I usually by physical but some games in the US are digital only).

[DazaMc]

GameCube discs only hold 1.5Gb max so you could fit loads of games onto you memory card.

[IanTH]

The Nintendo Online service is going to replace Virtual Console? You mean because they are giving out one included retro game per month with the little tweaks? If that is what you are saying, that means that they will put out something like 12 games a year. The Wii had 400 VC games. With the Switch Online thing, you'll only get those 12 games and nothing else will be available to you. Even if the Switch lasts 5 years past when the online service begins, it won't even hit 1/4th of what Wii had. That seems like a poor replacement to me.

It really seems strange that they aren't taking advantage of their back catalog of classic games when people are clamoring for them. Seems like absurdly easy money. And they could use a bolstering of titles like that as they continue to try to build their Switch-native catalog. I know they were doing something Virtual-Console-esque on the Nvidia Shield, so perhaps (and hopefully) that work will translate into something for the Switch soon.

[Rippcity]

Been saying this since the Wii U was supposed to get GC and N64 games. Makes absolutely zero business sense to not have a virtual console. They are missing out on mega money. Nintendo has a massive library of retro/classic games they could charge for. I don't have any plans on buying a Switch, but if they were able to get, at the least, N64, SNES and NES games it would be an extremely easy sell. Being able to play all the nostalgia inducing Ninety classics on the go would make the Switch a solid buy.

[Poli_Games]

They're making a ton of money on those consoles, it sadly makes sense

[Einhander1971]

Playing retro games isn’t just about nostalgia, great gameplay never gets old and sprite based games are timeless. Some of the work that went into these classics is phenomenal.

[Hylian10]

Super Mario Bros. 3 is a timeless classic <3

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Take note that this is an opinion piece: Not what is actually in the works.
While we're certain to see more retro console releases, it would be stupid of them to ignore that their online service needs free games, and seeing as SNES games are going to be a part of their package in the near future, I wouldn't rule out Gamecube games, either.

[BadElf]

Yeah. That was my worry :(

[PUBG]

Well they'll only replace the virtual console if people can actually find them on store shelves. The scarcity of these items is absolutely rediculous.

[Tross]

If that's what they want to do, they should also release a VC machine where we can buy and download retro classics that aren't limited to a preset selection. Or they could just use the Switch as its design lends itself perfectly to the variety of console and handheld titles that have come before, and they're squandering that. Plus they'd make so much more if they just allowed digital classics to be purchased on the Switch. People will buy their retro consoles regardless for the nostalgia and more authentic designs, but offering the consumer more options is a win-win for both us and them.

[AK91]

I just wish Ninty would release classic consoles with the ability to purchase and download games from the classic store.

[Knightofelemia]

The virtual console would be nice for the Switch if you're on the go in portable mode with that game already loaded on the Switch. But at home all you have to do is hack the NES and the SNES minis and you can have any game you want on them.

[Hillyhill]

Nintendo is losing out on so much money by not using this idea which I am sure many of you have heard or thought about. You have your Switch or you buy a Switch, then Nintendo puts out a set of Joycons that are labeled Classic NES Joycons which would have that NES look and feel. Once you attach those specific Classic NES Joycons then Nintendo would then let you have access to an online or physical library of NES CLASSIC games. And then just do the same for each Classic Console from the past. They could even release different limited edition classic Joycon color ways. There you go Nintendo, those would sell but loads of Switches and joycon variations and classic games. After this Nintendo can start printing money again like they have done in the past. Your Welome Nintendo!!!

[ZombieStalker]

These retro consoles are always in high demand and Nintendo isn’t making enough. They are constantly out of stock everywhere. I believe they are limited runs too. Not to mention the scalpers online selling them at much higher price.

Virtual console on the Switch would be great. Great for traveling as well.

[Jalapeno]

Horrible article...I declare it click bait.

20 NES games will be on the Switch when the online service launches...very no-brainer purchase there at $20/yr.