Topic: How cheap can Nintendo make a "virtual console" console?

I have be wondering if Nintendo wanted to sell "virtual console" games to as many as possible how could they do it?

I think the simple way to start is to sell the "Mini NES" and Mini SNES" games on a Nintendo Switch Game Card.
And then expand from there.

After that they could make a new simple console that could be a non portable version of the Switch or just something that can run N64 or GC games.

But can we go even simpler and cheater?
What if Nintendo split the "virtual console" up in console versions?
So the "Virtual NES Console" become an emulator app you buy and the games are handles like DLCs.

And what if those apps could run on smart TVs?
All you would need now is a control that is approved by this app and you can play the classic Nintendo games.

Now I would not expect Nintendo to go for the app solution.
But a cheap "Switch" that can only run Switch Game Card with "virtual console" bundles would be nice.

That seems like a huge amount of research and development costs for something they could just release for the Switch. Remember, if they go for a "Virtual Console Only Switch", they have to spend money on designing it, building it and then shipping it to stores. These costs all get passed onto the consumer, making it MORE expensive that just releasing them on the Switch.

As for apps that you could run on a phone or smart TV.. that's an interesting idea, but once they do that aren't they in danger of giving the thumbs up to existing (cheaper) emulators?

Hmm, If they where to go with the app version, would they not be stronger in copyright cases as Nintendo are the ones that own the licence.
And I would suspect that the app store that it would be available on would help Nintendo remove cheap replicas to prevent copyright lawsuit against the app store.

@Slitth Legally there is nothing Nintendo can do against the emulators or the App Store for selling them - it's only illegal to sell the ROMs that the emulators play. Sony themselves attempted to sell official retro games through the App Store for the Xperia Play a few years ago, the cheapest they could make it is £5 a game - it failed.

I do like the idea of having easy & cheap access to the older Nintendo library, but I just think the Virtual Console is more realistic.

You never know though! You could be right & Nintendo releases a retro-playing console. The Nintendo Slitth.

@DanteSolablood
I don't think a cheap version of Switch is something we will see now.
It will compete with the normal Switch to much and without any reason

But I could see Nintendo use a old car industry trick of using old/spare top models parts to make a economy model.
So when the Switch sales drops or they are getting ready to go on to the Switch 2.
A nice little hold over would be the "Mini NES" shell with Switch hardware in it.
The lack of screen, mobility and battery would drop the price enough to get the last few people on the Switch train and get the marked setup for the Switch 2.

As for the app solution, I could see Nintendo use the "online service" to make it a good income.
But instead of free games for a monthly fee, I would expect that get point for each month you have a subscription and can use that to "buy" new DLC add-on game to the app.

I also think that the app would need a always online function to prevent people sharing too much.

@Slitth : I would love retail compilations of Nintendo's back catalogue. In theory, third parties should also be able to curate their own "Virtual Console" compilations which can be sold separately to Nintendo's own compilations.

For GameCube/Wii ports, they could sell them at a budget price and brand them as "Virtual Console" games at retail and sell them either individually, or with a couple/few games to a cartridge.

@Slitth The best way Nintendo could do Virtual console in my opinion is to have it on Switch. My opinion has not changed since the Switch launched.

They can change the name or whatever. That's fine. I would like to see more content via the new online. We have Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Switch online... I'd like to see similar things for other platforms.

Or we could go back to the paid route. I actually like the idea of an emulator you buy on a card with a selection of games, and additional games being DLC for it. One for each system, NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. I think that'd be an awesome way to do it. Nintendo gets a lot of money, physical game fans are happy, and VC fans like me get the content we want. Win-win.

@Silly_G
We are kinda seeing this with the current remake/retouch theme that going on.
Mega Man
Mega Man X
Street Fighter
Crash Bandicoot
and the like.

We will probably see more.
The problem for Nintendo with this is that they game makers go multi platform.

@Heavyarms55

I agree the best option would be to launch it on the Switch.
Without tying it to the online subscription.

An emulator program with a game bundle for each system would probably sell well.
It would appeal to both the digital and physical medical groups.

But the DLC content would need to a one-time-buy, so if you buy a DLC on one Nintendo platform, you bought it for all Nintendo platforms.
Nintendo would still be able to control and easily show where the DLC are support, because it need the main emulator program to work.

"Side note" a GameBoy game bundle would sell really well on the Switch.

I wonder if the Switch could run an emulation of the Wii or Wii U OS.
That way the Switch would only need the CD-drive and External HD to act as a Wii or Wii U when docked.