Topic: New Virtual Console?

With the confirmation of Arcade Archives, People have been loosing it. Saying "Virtual Console is dead!" And the sort. I personally don't think this at all, Especially since the Arcade Archives series isn't even made by Nintendo. But that's not the point of this discussion.

We all know the Switch is a Portable/Home console hybrid. It even uses Cartridges like say, The DS. Point is, What if they're doing a new TYPE of Virtual Console? What if, This Virtual Console will be for games from Portable Systems? Think about it. There's gotta be a reason Virtual Console was delayed from release. Some could argue the NES and SNES Minis, And while it's a good point, It doesn't explain it all. Having a Portable library for the Nintendo Switch would be great! Imagine playing 3DS Games on your TV Screen.

This theory has holes and all, But there's one thing for certain.
We ARE Getting Virtual Console on Switch.

While playing 3DS games on the big screen would be nice, my experiences with DS VC on WiiU taught me that these games are made for a smaller screen. While this may not be true for 3DS games, DS games certainly look hideous up close.

I‘d much rather be able to play N64 Andy GC titles on the go tbh.

I think we‘ll be getting a VC or its successor when the paid online service drops. Remember how they said you could play NES classics like Dr. Mario as a subscriber to that service for free.

3DS games would be impossible unless there's games that don't use the touch screen.

I really hope we get the opportunity to buy the classic games individually. I don't want it to just be the Netflix model. It does seem like the name Virtual Console is probably dead though, and my guess is Nintendo does make you subscribe to their service in order to play the classic games.

Ehm, the Switch does have a touch screen you know. Why wouldn't 3DS games work on it? The only thing that wouldn't work is the added 3D effect, but that's negligible in most cases.

As far as the VC goes: I am sure we're going to get it on Switch, but it will be tied to the paid online service from now on. I guess in return for paying a monthly fee, we will get some VC for free or at a discount.

@Yachtephan From the original post "Imagine playing 3DS Games on your TV Screen."
How can you play 3DS games that use the touchscreen on the TV?

@Peace-Boy Oh yeah, missed that part. Well, they could still bring DS and 3DS games on it, you just wouldn't be able to play them on your TV I guess.

@Yachtephan Yeah.

Same here. I hope its early into 2018 that we get an announcement and details on it. Its going to end up being a year after the Switch came out before we get the paid online service. I feel like it will be a huge update that will revamp the home screen too. At least I hope so.

Ok, assume the new VC is tied to the subscription service. Does that mean you need to be logged in to play at all times? What if I want to play a VC game in the park with no WiFi? Would that be an issue?

@Don No, I don't think that will be the case. You don't need it now to play games you downloaded from the e-shop either, same thing.

@Don Depends on whether Nintendo goes the Xbox 360 approach or the XB1/PS4 approach. Xbox 360 Games With Gold games can be played without an internet connection, once you download it you own it forever. Current gen Games With Gold and PS+ games however require you to always have an internet connection to play them, also they're unplayable when your subscription expires. Not sure about which way PS3 PS+ games work.

Surely it'd be better all round for for Nintendo to remaster any relevant 3DS games going forwards? That way there'd be no odd compromises (like forcing you to play handheld in portrait orientation or workarounds for the absence of Miiverse etc.) and they'd be able to run the graphics at a naturally much higher resolution.

I've been saying for a while now that I think they have big plans for VC and it will be delivered in a different way than before. Certain games will have online multiplayer added, there will be high score modes like Hamster's Arcade Archives have and (being optimistic here) possibly extra challenge modes like Nintendo Remix, that will somehow be tied into the subscription. There will be classic NES games included with the basic subscription that have at least online added, but I think there will be a choice of a Premium subscription that includes access to SNES, 64,GBA and perhaps even GameCube. If they can get most Switch owners paying an extra $20 to $30 on top of the basic subscription then it will pay for itself. These games will also eventually become available for individual purchase just like in the past but subscribers will get them first.

@subpopz
Yea, I mean, when you think about it, the clock's ticking down on just a few weeks for Nintendo to reveal its online system and what the heck we're going to be paying for. 2018 is a month away - where's the info? There's A LOT that needs to be said, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if VC or the announcement of no more VC is wrapped up with it.

Whatever form it will take, it will likely be part of the paid online service. The delay could also be related to them wanting to launch with a large variety of ready games from many platforms. I seriously doubt they would only do portable titles. Also, the delay is likely related to the NES and SNES Mini systems, which (to my displeasure) many people seem to prefer.

But the the main point is, the only thing we know, is that Nintendo knows we want those classic games.

@OorWullie Not sure about having tiered services, but I agree, they must be working on something big! Just like they did with Zelda and Mario--and the switch branding--they have had a hard look at themselves and revitalised those entities. @subpopz One thing is consistent: the marketing strategy is based on letting us--the fans--speculate on what might be, for as long as possible.

I predict Nintendo online will provide the ability to back up your game save data on the cloud--this alone will get heaps of people onto the service. Other things which could be innovative:

• a speed run server
• inter-game tournaments i.e. like the Nintendo World Championship
• timed rental of any game i.e. you get to play an hour or a set time limit of any game in the catalog before you buy.

It could be as simple as there being no reason for Nintendo to push it out early. The launch of the VC on every other Nintendo system was all the content we had. Whether it was on the Wii where the VC was literally the only downloadable content at launch or on the Wii U and 3DS where it was to plug a gap in content in general. The launch of the VC on Wii U in particular felt more like a "thank you for buying this thing" than an actual planned launch.

And in any case it's not like there hasn't been a "portable VC" or even a "hybrid VC" before. Both the Wii U and 3DS have portable and non-portable content. The Wii U has GBA and DS VC and the 3DS has NES and SNES. I don't think having GBA games on the Switch would be amazing, I think when the VC comes it'll be almost expected. With that said I don't see how 3DS and DS could work easily on a Switch VC.....