Today we've had multiple readers pass us pointers to GameCube listings on Nintendo of Europe's regional websites. When looking at the broad 'Games' category you get a large list of titles, mainly current-gen games. In the default view, however, four semi-complete GameCube game listings appear on the first page; naturally this has some dreaming of a Switch Virtual Console announcement being around the corner.
The games in question are as follows:
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Tony Hawk's Underground 2
- Doshin the Giant
- Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut
The initial reaction to seeing these is excitement, but at this stage we're inclined to think this is simply a bit of bad website administration. These games are showing on a page with a number of game pages that have 'TBD' entries in multiple fields. What's important to note is that this part of the website is basically a catalogue of games; ie there are listings for lots of titles across many console generations, including many that have not been on the Virtual Console at any time. Just navigate to page 150 and work your way back; you'll see what we mean.
These four titles also seem somewhat random to be any kind of accidental precursor to GameCube on a prospective Switch Virtual Console. Sonic Adventure DX seems possible, but The Chronicles of Narnia?
One likely cause of these games popping up high on this games list is simply that they're incomplete records, so they're appearing with other pages with 'TBD' values for release dates, age ratings and so on. Browsing through the lower end of the list lots of retro titles have full details, so this seems like a handful of pages that have been started and then forgotten by a Nintendo staffer doing some data entry.
That's not to say we don't still think previous reports and speculation about GameCube being planned for a potential Switch Virtual Console aren't right; for various reasons it seems like something that'll happen eventually. We just doubt these random game pages on Nintendo's European website have anything to do with the topic.
Sorry to be buzzkills, but this doesn't seem to be a smoking gun for an imminent GameCube Virtual Console announcement.
[source nintendo.co.uk]
Comments 71
Just give me any sort of VC already, Nintendo. I don't care for GC specificially, though if it came to be, I'd scream like a gorilla (just like I did when it was announced Switch was region-free).
Wow, Nintendo are really starting strong out of the gate...*
*this can't be vc related surely!
I am really REALLY missing the VC on Switch. Nintendo, PLEASE.
I find it puzzling that there is no official news on VC or back catalogue. Maybe VC is only going to be available as a subscription service. Will be very disappointed if it is
Melee HD confirmed?
Que meltdown. It's really bad that Nintendo hasn't even talked about Virtual Console or about transferring previous VC purchases. The Switch has been out 5 months already and they likely won't do anything for at least a year into its life. Sorry but that's shambolic in any language. When you consider that a console is around for 4 or 5 years, that's 20-25 % of its life that it's missing. It's supposed to be there at launch to pad out barren release spells.
@Gerald The SNES Mini is coming out next month, Nintendo has no reason to discuss any VC style stuff for Switch while they still retro boxes in the pipeline.
I have been virtually consoled that this isn't really for the virtual console.
Please Nintendo I would love to play GameCube games on the go. Luigi's Mansion, Mario Sunshine, Phantasy Star Online, and Rouge Squadron for starters!
@Grumblevolcano good point, but I think the Mini's are more of a limited edition novelty. Mugs like me will still buy them
Nope. When VC does start, we'll probably get Super Mario Bros. for NES, £5.00, or with 50p off upgrade fee from 3DS/Wii U or something crazy like that. I doubt they'll give us GameCube...
I wish they could make a GameCube classic edition but it would be way too expensive and they probably won't.
@Moon haha, on year 3 of Wii U, we got N64, on year 4 (or is it 5) of Wii U, we got PC Engine games.
We better hope that Switch can last more that year 6 to get Game Cube games
@Moon I think Nintendo will find an 'added value' hook for VC games on the Switch. Such as online multiplayer / leaderboards.
NINTENDO: Here, we've released a new console, the Switch.
EVERYONE: throws away Wii U
Later on...
EVERYONE: God I hope they release all the old Wii U games on Switch.
Seriously what's the big deal with buying the back catalogue of old games? If they were that good you wouldn't have thrown them away.
@Grumblevolcano I don't know about that. Seems pretty far fetched to me.
First of all, the SNES Mini is guaranteed to sell out, even if only by virtue of limited stock. You can't sell more of something than you produced of said something in the first place (not legally at least, I think ^^).
Secondly, it's not necessarily targeting the same audience. The Switch is clearly going for the dedicated/core audience on the one hand (obviously), while at the same time trying to pull some blue-ocean shenanigans with the early adopter/tech-gadget-you-can-use-for-your-roof-garden-parties crowd 'on the other hand.
It's clearly targeted at like modern-day gamers in both instances though.
I feel the SNES Mini is more target at nostalgic parents and their kids. It's a lot more toy like and not to mention cheaper. I'm not all that sure that a VC on the Switch would cut into the NES/SNES Mini enough to really matter - again, if they were to produce units on a significant order of magnitude larger than they seems to be, it might potential be a concern of some sort.
Thirdly, the Switch is much more important to Nintendo's future financial prospects than a one-time-investment purchase like the NES or SNES mini. Those are individual sales. Every Switch sold, is a new revenue stream for Nintendo and their partners being brought into existence. That is a completely different and vastly more lucrative ballgame we are talking about here.
Fourthly, I think that is why the VC console has not happened yet on the Switch. The system has momentum right now, enough to carry it and certainly enough to sell most if not outright all of the units they currently (can or are willing to) produce. It's my feeling that Nintendo is not yet quite ready to push VC, because maybe it is not quite up to their standards yet, or more likely, that they just decided to keep it back until they need something to further push the system, build hype and keep the conversation going (or god forbid, restart the conversation).
I think down the line there is going to be lull of releases, maybe like early next year, and to kinda bridge that gap, they could start throwing VC services and games out there. At least, I very much hope that is what they are planning and preparing for.
@ZurapiiYohane It's still pretty early, so something could go wrong that prevents them from finishing or releasing but they are working on The Silver Chair right now. I don't know where that sits on the timeline since it's been a while that I've read them but it's something to look forward to. 😀
I'm going with error; only Sonic seems likely to be be on VC. THPS 2 would probably have an issue with music licensing and Narnia would be a weak choice compared to the plethora of first-party titles. Doshin could happen, but I think Baten Kaitos would be released before the yellow giant had a chance.
I still have a few GameCubes, it's my favourite looking console. In the future I plan to build a micro gaming PC inside the case. I bet it'll be a long time until we get GamCube VC games, it's Nintendo after all.
@Milton_Burle A number of reasons. A: Not everyone who has a Switch had a Wii U. Of my four friends with switches and I, I'm the only one who had a Wii U beforehand.
B: Hardware dies. Quite frankly, my old GB games are starting to all have their batteries die, meaning either attempting repairs, or looking for another way to play them
C: No choice. When I was younger, my parents force me to get rid of old consoles to get new ones. As such, I don't have a lot of old N64 games, or my NES or SNES anymore. Also, there are plenty of games for them I never was able to afford the first time around (Earthbound, Kirby's Dream World 3, Jet Force Gemini were all first time for me on the VC)
D: Some people were too young to be around when games came out the first time.
E: Keeping that much hardware around takes up a LOT of space, while digital copies on the VC don't.
If it is true I would LOVE to play Doshin the Giant again I loved that game as a kid
This is Nintendo adding games to their archive list. They have Pokemon Mini games listed. People are just getting over excited and hoping for GC VC to be tru
The problem is Nintendos silence on the VC itself (across all its platforms, why the 3ds hasn't had any in nearly a year, or longer if like myself you own an original 3ds). After throwing down a substantial amount of money on the console and necessary accessories ones funds tend to be tight (even if you are fairly well off it just feels ridiculous) so being able to play older games in the interim helps much like purchases transfer from psp to vita line the ps1 classics and digital psp games with few exceptions. Wouldn't it be great to have a unified VC service across all Nintendo platforms for example I have no desire to buy a WiiU but I really want access to the 20 nes games that are exclusive to it, right now my only options to do so are buy a WiiU or emulate.
I would honestly die happy if the switch had tony hawk underground 2.
@Milton_Burle I love your comment. Totally agree
The latter two listings sound plausible but the first two sound like an error (especially if what I heard is true that Tony Hawk 5 was just thrown out the door on the last day before Activision's license expired, they probably wouldn't sign up for a re-release),
I'd totally love to play Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 on the go. Still hoping Sonic 1-3&k and CD all get ported so all the classic games + Mania are available on the same console. Also hoping we'll see some VC news before 2018.
I don't own a switch yet, and kinda glad I didn't give into the hype. VC is a feature that I love. I plan on buying one eventually, but until they iron some things out I will wait patiently. My cousin owns one so I can play his lol!😁
Those titles would be unexplainable at best, just "random" is not enough. Games like those could appear on Virtual console only after years when all the other games have already been released. Even Billy Hatcher would be immensely better than those and that's saying something lol
Nintendo will wait until late September / October to release any updates. Well after the SNES Classic Mini is released.
Reggie the Evil Toad is no doubt laughing hysterically at the disappointment many Nintendo fans are feeling at this mistake.
@ZurapiiYohane hi, if you like the movies, I recommend the books. I'm a full grown man, and I decided to revisit the first one, got hooked and read the whole series. The last book was mind blowing....quite twisted and weird for a supposed kids book.... off topic lol
@Nintendo_Ninja if it was the size of a Rubik's Cube I'd buy it no matter how expensive , it would be too cute to resist
@GoldenGamer88: Don't you mean you'd scream like a Kong?
Classic Nintendo: Website screwups
AAA titles confirmed. Sheesh.
Guess we'll just have to wait for the VC subscription service next year to get more details on what form it will take.
On top of that, most 1st Party Nintendo titles wouldn't even work properly thanks to Nintendo not implementing analog shoulder buttons...again
Virtual console with GameCube on Switch I almost have a level of expectancy for. But while we're at it, let's get with Sega and add Dreamcast as well??
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I said that 100x during the Wii U's lifespan. These classic games fill in gaps nicely!
Nintendo want gamers to buy new games, not old ones I guess - it's the only way Nintendo gamers will purchase new games - they are that thick headed and stubborn.
The Wii U has full backwards compatibility with GCN already...with any type of controller you want. Nintendo has also killed the idea of GCN when they made the
Switch Pro controller with digital triggers - saving 0.01p whilst upping the price to ridiculus levels!
Nintendo really been catering lately to its fans so its coming people
@aesc Yh I would love to play the N64DD ver. of the game it would be interesting but I can't afford like £600 for one lol. yh I wish they did make more Doshin games because I think the series had promise but I guess Nintendo and Para didn't and yes even a HD remake on the switch would be nice and it really was a relaxing game until a tornado hit a town lol XD
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I agree. I don't even own a Switch yet, but due to having NO information on how Switch VC transfers/purchases will work, I've completely stopped buying VC games since even before the Switch's release. I need to know how and if my purchases will transfer over before I spend any more money.
I would love to have Super Mario Sunshine with the ability to use motion control aiming for squirting the water, I know it will never happen but it would be nice.
Do hope Gamecube virtual console will happen though, I mean Playstation owners have long had PS2 games and Dreamcast games available on the PS3. Can't understand why Nintendo are always lagging so far behind.
The question is why GameCube games never made it to VC when almost of all major retro Nintendo console titles did.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Except for the fact that even with all the complaints, there hasn't been any need for 'padding', for me at least. I've been playing Switch non-stop and already have games that I have to find time to get to once done with others. Having VC would be good, but I'm personally far more annoyed at the lack of bluetooth for example. That is a clear oversight, whereas their choice of VC timing is a business choice that they quite possibly see as correct, when taking into account SNES mini coming out for example or something to boost Christmas sales maybe.
I miss THUG2. Maybe I'll dig mine out and see if I can get into it again. That Eric Sparrow is pure evil.
Doubt this would lead to anything, but I really do want a GC VC.
Mostly so I can playing Path of Radiance without selling an arm and a leg.
future future Mini-Cube! I know, very doubtful, but it would make a cute mini.
If true, that's a weird 4 games to come out of the gate with.
@Evenmoresteven Don't point out the games. That might derail the "hype train"
I'm getting sick of sitting around, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for Nintendo to do certain things... Proper Virtual Console (that includes GameCube support), Mother 3 localisation (you even made a joke about it 2 years ago; where is the game?), and many more...
@yuwarite But we all will continue to buy their stuff, hence the problem...
There was an article a couple of months ago on Eurogamer which said that several sources had seen 3 gamecube games up and running on Switch, Luigi's Mansion, Mario Sunshine and Smash Bros Melee. I'd expect an announcement when they finally sort out what this subscription for online will be
Slow news day.
Nothing to see here, people.
Sincerely, as a HUGE NGC FAN, I'll be more than disappointed if these are the first 4 entries of the long awaited NGC VC...
I mean, the first 4 games should obviously be F-Zero GX, Zelda TWW, SSMB, and Monkey Ball 2... Oh wait, and we could add a few bonuses like Eternal Darkness, Pikmin, Mario Sunshine, THPS3, Metroid Prime, RE4, ...
This would make me so happy, and give me a reason to power on the switch now that Zelda is over...
But I think it would almost be bad for Nintendo as it would show how poor the Switch game library is... 3 good games (one being a total port and the other a bit of an existing game) clearly ain't enough...
I really want to play my switch... But I have nothing to play on it right now.
If Nintendo ever do release GC games on Switch I hope they take advantage of the hardware and up the resolution, rather than what they did with Wii games on WiiU.
Who knows what they have planned for VC. My guess is they're getting a lot of it ready for when the paid service goes live after the new year. That way the attention this year will be all about Odyssey & Xenoblade 2 and they can concentrate on the online stuff after that. As far as I know there are no titles or release dates for this period in 2018 so it would make sense
@ZurapiiYohane they didn't stop making the movies because of the actors. They stopped because they were not profitable.
I want Sega Saturn and countless Super Nintendo Entertainment System games etc (Gamecube yes please).........I`m not raising my hopes because personally I just don`t think the Wii Shop Channel can be topped.......
Nintendo has gone backwards regarding online and VC. At this pace Switch will have NES games in 2018 once Switch owners are forced to pay for that reduced Virtual Console plus online play without voice built in that they came up with.
Nintendo is giving a very confusing message. Firstly, they said that they would love to have GameCube games on Switch. Secondly, the Switch pro controller doesn't have analogue triggers that lots of GameCube games use (racing games, Super Mario Sunshine, Eternal Darkness, Super Smash Bros. Melee...). Thirdly, they announce that NES and SNES games will be available via subscription (wow!). Yes, the service is cheaper than Xbox Gold but Xbox Gold is light-years ahead.
At the moment, most Switch games are Wii U games and indie games available elsewhere and Arms has already crushed on the charts. If Wii U has not received any new AAA game for ages with Breath of the Wild being delayed to launch with the Switch version I really wonder what has Nintendo been doing during the last years and if all of their efforts have been focused on developing hardware and not software, because that's exactly what it seems.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Well, at E3 Reggie said: "We know that our fans, our players, want access to all of our digital content, we know that. What we're working through is, 'okay, what's going to be the best way to make that happen, to make that available?' Certainly, we recognize there's an appetite for all of our great legacy content.".
Super Mario Sunshine VC
I would love Sonic Adventure on the Switch.
And isn't Doshin the Giant that one game that had a trophy in Melee? I'd like to try that game out.
I want the GameCube version of Metroid Trilogy on Switch. While I own it on WiiU, I hate the motion controls.
@Grumblevolcano And they wonder why people do shady things to spite Nintendo.
The lack of analog triggers on the Switch joy cons and pro controller makes GC games impossible, no?
@Mrrabbitpuncher Reggie says lots of things...
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