Mario Bros. to Kick Off 'Arcade Archives' Range on Nintendo Switch

Well .. it's a start !

"We want the Virtual Console"

Nintendo: Have obscure arcade games no one wants.

Hope this will eventually include arcade versions of the DK games.

Cool!

Virtual Console is officially dead.
R.I.P.
Glad i have my collection of VC on wii and WiiU

Honestly perfect for tabletop mode

It's indeed a start. Is there a pricetag? I might pick up Mario if it's cheap.

This seems more like the Neo-Geo stuff than a proper virtual console. I really want a proper virtual console...

neat-o! The NES Mario Bros. was fine but the arcade version is much much better. Same for Punch-out!

Looks cool

I hope they aren't going to charge something ridiculous for these . If there any more than £5 then it's too much

@Nintendoer I want the arcade version of Mario Bros and Punch Out. I get that this is not the Gamecube like everyone wanted, but what is wrong with these games?

They are new games that have never been ported before. Would you prefer the standard NES and SNES rehashes we always get?

LOL

@Caryslan I would prefer them, as that shows VC is coming, whereas this seems to be a separate thing.

I am interested in Balloon Fight. I think it has larger stages than the home console version.

@Nintendoer Or maybe they are dropping the Virtual Console branding given they are supposed to be adding new features to many of the older games(like online play for NES games)

I think they are starting with Arcade games because they have never done direct ports of their arcade games. Punch-Out is different from its NES counterpart, Mario Bros like most early 80's arcade games has stuff cut out from the NES port, and the VS games are in many cases very different from the NES counterparts. VS. Super Mario Bros for example has levels that are not in Super Mario Bros or the Japanese Super Mario Bros 2.

I'm sure we will get NES and SNES next, followed by Nintendo's later systems.

So this is why we haven't gotten VC, I do think the concept is cool, as it's sort of like the 3D classic type games we got a while back with the 3DS with Kid Icarus, Excitebike, etc.

Seems kind of odd that we haven't gotten a proper VC announcement still though.

Thank you Nintendo, Hamster, ACA — I'll buy the lot of these. I remember playing them back in the 80s and in ways they're superior in design as they're different yet not, harder due to moved up placement of things or behavior changes. Very very worth getting.

...

@Caryslan That's possible, but I'm still not interested.

So will we get these all for free once we're paying for the online service?

I was really excited in the beginning of this reveal until I realized what it actually was.

Will Arm Wrestling (featuring Bald Bull) use HD rumble‽

Definitely getting punchout

VS. Super Mario Bros was quite fun in arcades

So these have online play..?

Woot buying them all.

dare I say...Popeye? Anyways, I love that they are doing something 'new' with their old games.

LOL.

Would the Donkey Kong Arcade trilogy and even Popeye be much to ask? I know Popeye requires permission, but it is part of Nintendo's arcade history.

I was really looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning and playing F-Zero GX.....

This announcement is to try at least partially satisfy the huge demand for VC on the Switch. It also strengthens my belief that VC on the Switch is going to be a service you pay for monthly - likely as part of the more expensive-level tier of their online service. They'll slowly trickle out groups of NES, SNES, N64 and hopefully GameCube games that you can download and play as long as you stay subscribed.

@Caryslan
Honestly who cares if you can play Mario online or punch out? I would have preferred a revival of VC on 3ds with the 20 or so nes games and gba VC that wiiu has and tg16 VC that Japan got on 3ds along with the rest of tge Castlevania gameboy VC (honestly what was the point of the Netflix series of they aren't doing anything with it)

Hopefully we will get some Sega Arcade Achives. Starting with Outrun

I honestly don't get you people. Yes, I get that convenience is great and all, but getting mad because you get classics you've never been able to legally play before instead of buying Super Mario Bros. for literally the 17th time just makes you look like lazy, demanding people.

Depends on the price. Super Mario Bros multiplayer could be a whale of fun.

I understand why people were hoping for virtual console but why on earth did some of you think it would be game cube? Anyway I look forward to buying Nintendo games I have never played instead of buying the same stuff I have played on the wii, 3ds and wiiu.

@G0dlike Well, maybe once all these 70s/80s arcade titles are out the way, they'll give us Arcade Archives: F Zero AX. XD

RIP Virtual Console

I hope they bring out the existing Arcade Archieves games, Double Dragon, Contra, Karate Champ etc

@drich255 I think those are the only arcade games Nintendo can't put out because they legally don't own the rights to the code of the arcade version.

Here is a link to the story.

https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php?page=2

Long story short, Nintendo did not have the manpower to make the game themselves, so they turned to an outside company named Ikegami Tsushinki to help them make the boards for the game.

Nintendo owned the characters, concept, and story of the game, but Ikegami Tsushinki had exclusive righs to the game when it came to making the boards and with it the basic code for the arcade version of Donkey Kong.

Because of Donkey Kong's success, Nintendo ignored the contract and began to make boards on their own to fill demand.

Ikegami Tsushinki got mad at Nintendo and left them. They went on to work for Sega on games like Congo Bongo and Zaxxon. Meanwhile, Nintendo went to another outside developer to help them make a sequel to Donkey Kong, which would become Donkey Kong Jr.

But Donkey Kong Jr. was built on the code of the first game, which ended up including it when Ikegami Tsushinki filed a lawsuit against Nintendo in 1983.

After a decade long battle, it was ruled that Ikegami Tsushinki owned the code to the arcade version of Donkey Kong.

What does this mean? Well, it means Nintendo does not legally own the rights to the arcade versions of Donkey Kong or Donkey Kong Jr. They own certain aspect of the game, but the code and program belongs to Ikegami Tsushinki(who is still in business, but no longer involved with video games.)

I don't know if Donkey Kong 3 would be covered by this, and clearly, Mario Bros is not built on Donkey Kong's code.

But for anyone curious why Nintendo skipped the Donkey Kong arcade game and are putting out Mario Bros and the VS arcade games first, this is the reason.

There is some legal red tape that Nintendo has to cut to put out the arcade versions of Donkey Kong or Donkey Kong Jr. on modern systems.

That would be mad peng @Angelic_Lapras_King

I don't know how I wanted the Virtual Console to kick off, but this is not it.

Not complaining, but not expected, either.

I used to play the arcade version of Punch Out! like crazy as a kid. My grandpa managed an arcade in Paris, so I got a bunch of free plays.

I cannot wait to play it again!!!

Never played Balloon Fight or the arcade punch out. I don't particularly care for the rest. But I'm sure those who do will be pleased.

ETA: Kinda surprised Hogan's Alley isn't on here, I played the heck out of it at Bullwinkle's.

@Nintendoer Says YOU. I've always preferred the arcade games over their NES ports. Something just didn't feel the same about playing the NES Mario Bros....heh.

I've always wondered what kept these games from coming to Wii Virtual Console (before reading up on Donkey Kong's coding and stuff). I wonder why now is when they decide to go ahead with this?

Hamster is just fantastic. I never got to play these so I can't wait to get them on switch!

@Nintendoer

Speak for yourself, I'm quite excited! I played most of these in the arcade in my youth.

These seem distinctly different than VC games.

But I'm digging it. Add to those NeoGeo arcade games- going to have a full arcade game collection on this console. That rocks

Am I the only one who's in no rush for the VC? We've had that for two generations now. Time for something different.

We'll get to see Little Mac in that bizarre green line shading! Oh the memories.

I'm cannot believe the Arcade Punch Out is coming!!!

Sky Skipper. Unleash it on the world!!

Hopefully this really is just the start for the non-Neo Geo arcade games (as much as I like that system). Bring on Bad Dudes, Double Dragon and Bubble Bobble please!

Why would Nintendo want to offer VC on the Switch? People might only buy a couple of games. Instead they will have the SNES and NES classics so people can get a bunch of games that they don't really want and spend more than they normally might. Seems logical to me.

@GrailUK

YES!! Bring back Popeye!!! The arcade version trounces the Famicom version.

All I can say is that it's about time, Nintendo.

@james_squared

So? You forget people double dip too. Its about being able to play your favorites no matter what, even as aging systems are ever so slowly marching towards their demise. Besides, these are arcade versions and in some places in the world, they're kinda scarce. It'd give older gamers a chance to relive favorites for those who can't afford cabinets or don't do the whole MAME thing, plus it gives newer players a chance to try out the games of yesteryear.

This is something I thought we would eventually see when VC was announced for the Wii, especially when arcade titles were added.

Sure, there was no VC announced, but it's coming in some form. With the love of its extensive retro library, there's no way Nintendo is going to miss out on money from old skool gamers, like myself. I'm THRILLED to finally be able to officially fill the oldest gaps in my retro library in advance of VC/whatever!

I hope we see the DK games. Arcade DK Jr. was the very first Nintendo game I played, circa 1984!, so it's a huge part of me as a gamer! These are huge pieces of gaming history that'll be wonderful to own! 😄

@Caryslan Nintendo, make it happen! Cut that red tape!

Not the exact NA arcade ROM, but an arcade version of DK is a bonus game on DK 64 (including the virtual console version).

@EvilRegal the issue is that Nintendo doesn't own the rights to the DK arcade games.

@Agent721 LOVE the Popeye arcade game!

£6.29 is the price so they are doing what neo geo are doing .

@Agent721 He's not really Little Mac in the arcade. The only reason he had to be little was because the NES couldn't render the wireframe of the player like the arcade could and they needed a way for you to see the other boxer, so they made him tiny.

For anyone curious about why Nintendo has never released the arcade versions of the DK games: https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134790/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php

@Tempestryke Yes, these are different versions and I think that'll be great and I look forward to the Mario Bros. game. And, yes, I know some people will triple and quadruple and quintuple dip. But, these are the more dedicated users. I think for many gamers, they might be now willing to buy the NES Classic and SNES Classic and maybe even a Switch rather than just a Switch with a few VC titles. Just my thoughts.

@budkin

You're right. Man, I am excited!!

I still just want Mr. Goemon.

@james_squared

Understood. ^^

@james_squared
Because most people don't want the extra games on the minis when they want to essentially only have it for a handful of games that VC can more than makeup for. (Not to mention on 3ds and switch you can play anywhere) On the snes mini all that would interest me is Castlevania 4 and Star Fox 2 and on the nes mini the star tropics (why star tropics isn't on 3dd is beyond me). So why pay over 100 dollars for games you don't want?!

@budkin I was hoping Donkey Kong arcade's inclusion in Donkey Kong 64 meant that the issue had been settled. I guess we'll see... 😐 I'm happy for the classics we are getting, though!

So many bad misconceptions here. Let's start from the top..

This isn't VC because it's not Nintendo publishing them. It's Hamster, just like the PS4/XBone Arcade Archives packages that include a lot of Konami, SNK, etc releases. It has ABSOLUTELY NO BEARING on what the VC will look like when Nintendo finally releases that.

Pricing has been pretty constant across all platforms-- $7 USD a game, which isn't exactly terrible for arcade games.

Some games will have notable differences-- Mario Bros arcade is VASTLY better than the NES port, and if Hamster keeps up their traditional quality these'll be pretty solid. Just hoping to see the Konami, etc stuff make it to Switch.

The VS series arcade games are noted for their increased difficulty-- I've played VS Castlevania and the timer runs down so fast that I'm down into "30 seconds left" territory even sprinting through the first stages. VS Super Mario Bros has some changes to stage layout to make it harder as well.

Edit: Just going to add that I'm earmarking some cash off my next paycheck for Mario Bros, since MAME still has major sound issues due to difficulty with the analog sound handling.

@Caryslan Actually, they are believed to own the code to as many as 1/4 of Nintendo's arcade games.

@drich255 I would love to see Donkey Kong Jr and Donkey Kong 3's arcade versions put out.

I'm not into the first Donkey Kong, but I love the two sequels.

And all three are missing elements in the NES ports. Donkey Kong 3 has alot missing, namely Stanely's little dance when he forces Donkey Kong into a hive and the graphic death animation where all the bugs swarm on him when he gets killed.

And of course, Donkey Kong is missing an entire level.

We just need these ports to come home. I hope Nintendo can work out a deal with Ikegami Tsushinki to let these come out.

I'm also hoping Nintendo ports their pre-DK arcade games. I always wanted to play Sheriff and Radar Scope.

I think I will get most of these, specifically both of the Marios and punch out. I will probably get the others over time.

@NintendoVideoGa Do you know which ones besides Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.? I would assume Donkey Kong 3 might be included, but does this also include stuff like their pre-DK arcade games like Sheriff and Radar Scope?

I would assume Mario Bros is not covered since its coming out, as is Punch-Out. And the VS games are based on NES hardware and games.

I have been telling people for a long time that Virtual Console is death. Or at the very least it will be massively overhaul. This is just more evidence, seriously ppl the writing is on the wall.

Cue the Nathan Fillion gif where he looks bewildered but doesn't say anything

Time to get a Switch

@GameOtaku Exactly. I think maybe Nintendo wants people to get the minis instead of just a few VC games here and there for their Switch. Or, maybe they feel that VC has been done too much already. I dunno. I don't work there.

But, it is somewhat exciting to get the arcade versions instead of just the same old NES versions.

The original Mario Bros. arcade game is my favorite arcade game of all time and in my top 10 list for all games. I can't wait to finally play it again!!!!

@james_squared Another lesson Nintendo should learn is that $5 per NES title is too high for most people. $2 per title (even though you were forced to buy in bulk) was much more attractive to people.

@james_squared
Even with the reprints of nes and the upcoming snes mini do you really think they can keep up with demand when the average consumer only wants at most maybe 5 of the 40 or so offered especially considering the price? It's just not a good investment. A unified VC system across all Nintendo platforms would be the greatest thing ever! I want to play star tropics on 3ds buts it's only available on wiiu as well as double dragon 3 and bayou Billy so the unified VC system would cancel that exclusivity out of the equation.

@drich255 They only learn the lesson if people aren't buying them for $5. I remember getting a few of the early VC titles on the WiiU for 30 cents.

I want Vs. Excitebike. The lucky people in the US got it for Wii U but we Europeans missed out.
I have Vs. Clu Clu Land on Animal Crossing for Gamecube. ^^

Well, I kinda want all those arcade games made by Nintendo. They never re-released them before.

I'm more interested in the definitive versions of old games like the Donkey Kong series (and the announced Punch-Out!!), and "new" ones like Popeye, rather than just modified NES games (which most of the Vs. games are).

Also, seeing that this is a collab between HAMSTER and Nintendo, I think this is completely separate from whatever Nintendo has planned for its own Virtual Console.

@GameOtaku I have absolutely no idea what the average consumer is interested in. But, I would suspect that more than just Nintendo fanboys were buying up the NES minis. I know that I had contemplated getting the NES version, but I wasn't willing to pay such a high price for it as I didn't see any around anywhere.

But, yes a unified VC system would be great for consumers! Not too sure if that's the best strategy for Nintendo, however.

What about VS. Duck Hunt?

"OUCH !! SHOOT THE DUCKS, NOT ME !!"

Lame. These games are available in a BILLION ways already. Slightly tweaked to be more like arcade originals? meh. maximum meh.

plus.... I HATE BALLOON FIGHT KILL IT WITH FIRE.

@Firehawke I disagree with you on one thing, and that is what the Virtual Console(or whatever Nintendo calls it) will look like when we start getting games.

I think the Arcade Games are the first wave of a revamped Virtual Console and I think it bodes well for the future of the service. I'm glad to see Nintendo open the toy box and let other companies have a chance to play with their old games.

The reason why I say that is that there are numeous companies who specialize in putting out emulated versions of older games on modern systems.

Sega has used many of these companies and look at the results.

Maybe Nintendo is willing to let other companies work on emulations of NES, SNES, and their other systems.

Not saying Nintendo has done a bad job, but I think some outside help will not only get these games out faster(one of the weaknesses of the Virtual Console) but ensure a steady stream of games arrive, with new features and enhancements.

What I'd really like is the arcade versions of Mario Kart.

@Nintendoer
I think that Nintendo is telling us, subtly, that we can either have ongoing supplies of the NES and SNES Classic systems or we can have the Virtual Console. I strongly believe that Nintendo is convinced that they can double-dip, selling Classic consoles to the very consumers that will buy those same (portable) titles--again--on Switch.

The VC will come when Nintendo is certain they've exhausted the retro console market and not a month before.

@AirElephant

I don't think Classic Edition consoles will solve problems of retro gamers who want Castlevania 3 or Donkey Kong Country 2 that are not on the CE consoles. Only VC has these.

This is a stop gap before VC comes out! VC's not dead!

Nintendo knows what they're doing by staggering their releases. They're also stalling for time. Maybe they're waiting for online to come out? Maybe getting multiplayer online ready is taking a bit of work? (y'know, like hundreds of other games delayed because online's not ready yet). Put those pitchforks down and relax.

I'm excited for vs. SMB, Mario Bros., and Punch-Out!! Vs. SMB's stage design is quite different than the NES. For example, you can't warp to World 8 from 4-2, it only goes to 6, no other choices. I can't wait to play it!

You had one job, Nintendo... But then again, when could we EVER rely on Nintendo to do anything right?

This is surely a money spinner if there ever was one. Why not put all these in a bundle than separate? If they're not cheap i.e. £2 then no thanks. Arcade games are fun for a short while and other than the two player aspect I don't see myself playing any of these longer than an hour or two before getting bored. Why not put them on Virtual Console, either? It's a strange announcement all round, and if these are more than £5 a pop then they're having a bubble.

@BaffleBlend What did Nintendo do wrong?

@Caryslan At this point, I'd just be going through the old laundry list of complaints. All of Nintendo's failings can fall under one of two categories:

1. Not keeping up with the times.
2. Trying too hard to be different, usually at the expense of something that works.

This blunder falls under the latter.

@Caryslan woah! I didn't know that! Interesting piece of history!

Looks cool but no way am I paying more than $30 for this so if the price is right I'm buying.

ITS ABOUT TIME! Not a bad start but let's get it moving! ARCADE-NES- SNES-N64-GAMECUBE-WII- MASTER SYSTEM- GENESIS-SEGA CD- SATURN? - DREAMCAST- T16- ATARI!! GO GO GO!!!

@lemonjellydude
@Baker1000
£6.29 on the eShop. Listed as Hamster.

Eh, not quite there. Think I'll hold out longer for VC. Honestly there's enough real games to distract me in the meantime.

I've seen that VS Mario Bros game at a Chuckie Cheese before. That was ages ago. I might get some of these.

Freaking awesome, Punch Out Arcade, I only got to play that once for a few minutes!

@shonenjump86 I saw Vs Super Mario Bros at a Pizza Hut when I was a kid, and there was a Punch-Out machine at a laundromat that used to be by my old house.

I've seen a Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. machine at an arcade a few times, and I have never seen the arcade version of Mario Bros.

Which means I have never played it.

Keep in mind, Nintendo isn't actually doing these Arcade Archives releases. Hamster, the guys who do the Neo Geo series, are publishing these versions. So I wouldn't rule out Virtual Console just yet.

I don't care if they call it VC or not, I just want to play Yoshi's Island and DKC 2 on Switch! Come on, Nintendo.

When I saw these I thought it was a Namco Museum like collection. But its actually just like the Neogeo games. Sadly they're priced exactly the same as those Neogeo games ( $7.99 on the US eshop and they're 6.29 gbp on the UK eshop).

$8 for King of Fighters felt like a steal. That same $8 for the Mario Bros arcade original just feels like I'm getting conned. I'd have done $4, but they're such simple games for the price they're asking. =/

Those waiting & hoping for VC news, the Tokyo Game Show is coming up, from September 21-24. I don't know what kind of presence Ninty will have, but it's an opportunity to possibly hear news.

Plus, I think Nintendo Co. Ltd. has one of their quarterly financial reports in October. Big news/updates often come out of those.

@Minotaurgamer i was going to say same thing the arcade versions of SMB and Punch Out where a million times better and way more challanging.

@Baker1000 I pay hundreds of euro for individual arcade boards. I beg to differ they're only fun for a short time or multiplayer.

Give me cruisin blast

@Caryslan They'd started doing that with the Wii and Wii U, actually. Sega did the Megadrive/Genesis VC core, and Konami did the PCE/TG16 core. I believe M2 did the DS core, which required some serious effort to cram into the Wii U. SNES and NES have always been in-house.

I'm a sucker for Balloon Fight!

Be nice if they'd release a compilation of these games physically

Part of me is glad to see this. Part of me wishes they would say whether there is going to be a real VC or not. If they keep expanding from this, I'll be happy. I just wish they would say.

I'll get Mario Bros. and Punch-Out for sure! I hope we get some more obscure titles though, like Popeye, Sheriff, and Sky Skipper (Censored, of course! ). This also reminded me that we're long overdue for a new Game & Watch Gallery. Plus, I'd love to get some Game & Watch style Joy-Cons, too, seeing as they have the directional buttons similar to some G&W games:

Everyone remembers SMB as a NES classic but my first experience was vs SMB at a local arcade; before my family ever had a NES!

Also played Punch-Out!!! cabinet with the double TV screen ("Body Blow! Body Blow!")

Personally, I'm extremely happy that these games are being released for the first time on a Nintendo console! Nostalgia overload

If Ice Climbers plays like the NES game - pass. Same for Clu Clu Land. My least favorite NES Remix games.

well, i'd be willing to give them a try

Well is something different I guess.

Honestly at the way things are going, a small part of me wishes the VC never comes if only to spite those who incessantly whine about the VC. We had 3 prior platforms with VC and now people go on and on and on about playing these games yet again just on a different gizmo.

Whatever happened to the days you bought new consoles to play new games?

If these cost more than the Neogeo games, im not even touching em. 5€ would be the perfect price i'd say.

I'll buy them all!

@Caryslan I've seen the arcade machines for the Donkey Kong games before. But I had no idea that Punch Out Started as an arcade game until I found out about it some years back. Punch Out is the main game I wanna play on this list.

@ThomasBW84 I got all excited then because of the screenshot but looking on the eshop its not that game. Its just that basic Mario game on the single screen

Jeez... where's everyone's sense of competitiveness?

Since Hamster is doing this, it means we can all battle for high scores on online leaderboards. The Neo Geo ports are fantastic (I have most of the ones that aren't fighting games), and chasing high scores from people across the globe is so addictive.

I'm dropping the freakin' gauntlet here in the upcoming battle for high score supremacy.

it is so amazing to spend $300 in order to play 8-bit games, thank you Nintendo !

I've never tried the arcade versions, so really looking forward to this. I may have to pick up an arcade stick for this.

Traditional VC is not coming before Nintendo is finished with the Classic Minis.

Hurray, unique VC games on the Switch!
**people complain there is still no VC games**
Oh Internet, how I love you! XD

I'm really looking forward to the Punch-Out! arcade version. That's gonna be cool!

I get demand for Switch VC is high, but there's no reason to be hating on these. They're something that haven't been released before and should offer an interesting look at Nintendo's arcade history.

These are awful games, and at £ 6.25 each? complete rip off.

Nintendo please sort out Virtual Console, NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY THESE GAMES!

I'll be brutally honest... I love the Virtual console and love the Idea of being able to download the games we loved as a child but I have ZERO interest in playing any of these particular games.

I probably wouldn't play them even if they were Free (which I very much doubt they will be )

If / when the Virtual Console does arrive I've no plans to purchase all the NES, SNES, & N64 games I love again. I'm wanting to see new things brought to the table. i.e Gamecube, dreamcast etc

Yeah.. Balloon Fight. 🤤

@Menchi187 well then, we differ. If that's what floats your boat, so be it. We all value different things. It's good these are getting a modern release but I just don't see why they wouldn't bundle them all together other than to rinse money by charging £5-8 or whatever price they're gonna expect people to pay again for a NES title we've downloaded on two home consoles previously.

Most definitely interested in Punch-Out!! Absolutely no interest in the rest--- except maybe Vs. Super Mario Bros. a little-- I always appreciated how it replaced the repeated stages with Lost Levels, though I probably still won't get it.

@Caryslan One thing to keep in mind about the DK games is that the used a vertical screen layout. The stand on the Switch only allows it to be propped up horizontally-- not to mention playing on a TV-- so the biggest benefits from the arcade versions would already be lost.

It's a damn shame light guns aren't compatible with modern screens... I would have loved to have Vs. Duck Hunt...

@Reignmaker Good luck on that wait... I predicted early on Nintendo would be avoiding VC on Switch, and every development so far seems to be proving me right-- The Classic Mini systems-- now these Arcade Archives. Nintendo's current VC model puts them in the awkward position of having to accommodate those who already bought them on other systems (especially those who paid for the Wii U upgrades). The new online service gives them an new way to make old games playable while using a completely different model that doesn't connect back to prior VC purchases. Also, having VC essentially being exclusive to 3DS at the moment helps them try to keep that system alive as long as possible. If VC ever happens on Switch, don't expect it until the end of its life-- long after 3DS has been completely dead and they've released Classic Minis of most of their past systems. There's no logical reason to expect otherwise at this point.

@Samus7Killer
To be fair, how many more times do we need to buy Super Mario Bros.? Personally, I own the original NES cart, the SNES All Stars, the VC versions on Wii, Wii U, and 3DS, the All Star version on the Wii, and also on NES Classic.

Yes, I am a sucker. And yes, i would buy it again on the Switch.

@james_squared that was part of an early adopter special. That's the only reason you got them at 30 cents

@Pupito that version of super mario bros is way different

Hopefully reviews here will help specify how different these versions are. A preview article on the arcade games would be helpful too.

Body blow, body blow, left, left, put 'em away! Knockout!! You're an up and coming fighter!!

PUNCH-OUT!!! FINALLY!!!

@EvilRegal
I like that version of the arcade game (the one in Donkey Kong 64).

How many coins do you have to insert for playing 8-bit games?

@thatawesomedude yeah, I actually like what I've heard about the online service. If they adopt a Netflix type offering for their back catalog, that would work too.

I prefer this to a "typical" VC launch. A lot of the Vs series is upgraded NES games anyway, and thhe inclusion of Punch Out, which uses distinct hardware, implies that a wide range of arcade games may be added.

Anybody else holding out for Monkey Magic? Space Firebird? No?

Just me then...

@Pupito added difficulty. Four levels not present in the original. Different enemy placement.

So these are Nintendo games but hamster are publishing them ? Why are hamster putting these out and not Nintendo ? Apologies if that's obvious

Yeah, this is the good stuff...except I see VS. Excitebike isn't here. And that's the only one I'd really want. Still, it's cool that they're not just releasing Super Mario Bros. 3 again and expecting everyone to care.

Maybe next they'll add stuff like Sutte Hakkun.

I feel like part of the problem with Nintendo's retro strategy is expecting the same handful of games to produce the same level of returns forever. Getting a few new names in there and advertising them like new games would help.

Better than nothing, I'll pick up Mario Bros when it comes out.

@jhess826
I have all these plus GBC and GBA re-release. Yeah I'm in the same boat if they re-release it 1,000 more times even if it's an identical version with one extra Goomba added I'll get it again.

@Caryslan Yes. Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Computer Othello, Block Fever, Monkey Magic, Popeye, Radar Scope, Sheriff, Space Fever, Space Firebird, Space Demon, HeliFire, Sky Slipper, Space Launcher, and Zaxxon, but no Donkey Kong 3.

As a side-note, what Ikegami Tsushinki and Nintendo settled on was never revealed. It's plausible that the terms included that the rights to the data were to be transferred to Nintendo, and since Nintendo has never before released any of their own arcade games that is simply something we can't guess. Either way however, I predict that this will be a hit and then Nintendo will make sure to acquire the rights to those games anyways.

As a Nintendo arcade collector, I am beyond excited.

Anyone who knows the history behind these games, understands the value here. These are major games in Nintendo's development history that have never been re-released ANYwhere before this. All of them are superior versions to the watered down versions people know and love from the NES. Titles like Popeye and Punch-out!! in particular, are vastly better in terms of graphic, sound, and gameplay.

Plus, if Hampster is the publisher, maybe there's a chance they can be the ones to finally clear up the mystery surrounding the original DK games and Ikagami's legal rights?
I also agree with the people who hope to soon see Nintendo's pre-Donkey Kong games, like Radar Scope, Sheriff, Monkey Magic, or Sky Skipper on Switch as well!!!

@BlueKnight07 This is the thing. I don't mind if I have to wait, I just want confirmation. I'll be gutted if I'm waiting forever on something that never happens.

@drich255

Vs. Donkey Kong?

@Pupito Nice thinking! Like an HD remake of the GB DK '94 game. There would be no legal problems with that code!

Punch-out! is cool, but I have no interest in any of the others.

Outstanding!!! I just watched the Punch Out Arcade episode of the Goldbergs last night. Super excited. Also, I used to play the Mario Bros arcade game all the time at the local roller rink as a kid.

@SKTTR Vs. Clu-Clu Land wasn't in Animal Crossing for GameCube. Clu-Clu Land D was a different version for the Famicom Disk System.

@marandahir There's actually no such thing as "Vs. Donkey Kong" as the "Vs." line is arcade ports of NES originals-- the NES version of Donkey Kong was a port of the arcade original. As for that version, Nintendo lost the rights to the code of that version (as well as the arcade DK Jr.) from a legal dispute. The royalties they'd have to pay to release it this way would inflate the price too much to make it viable.

@NintenNinja16 Part of the reason we don't have VC is because of the mini consoles too.

@Crono1973 Definitely that as well, which has been another thing concerning me since we could very well just see some more of these Arcade Archives games and then mini consoles, rather than also providing a proper VC

@thatawesomedude Oh!! I mixed that up. You're right of course.

I thought it was made very clear earlier that the online subscription service was delayed to 2018 (and that the VC was tied up with it). I would have been VERY surprised if they had mentioned either service in the latest direct. It will be in a direct, but not until 2018.

@Pupito They've actually been doing that for years with the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series.

Bring these on! I actually prefer the arcade versions to their NES counterparts.

@BlueKnight07 I think a lot of people are making this harder than it has to be... To me, they've made it abundantly clear that the closest thing to the old "Virtual Console" model they've used on past systems, that they currently have planned for Switch (not counting Arcade Archives) is the "classic games" announced for their online service coming in 2018. Any remaining confusion may possibly come from people generically referring to the games for the new service as "VC games". But whether you choose to call them that or not, that doesn't change the fact they've already announced them to arrive in 2018. On top of all that, they've also introduced the Classic Minis (with an N64 edition likely to come)-- so all their bases are covered. There'd be no reason for them also roll out a true VC lineup in addition to that, so I don't know what else anyone wants Nintendo to say that will satisfy them. Just because the answer isn't what you want to hear doesn't mean the question hasn't been answered.

@thatawesomedude
Wasn't there a Vs. Donkey Kong used for the original Nintendo World Championships though?

@Nintendoer Talk about entitled.

@SleeplessKnight That would be a bad thing, IMO. They should also allow the option of keeping the game and letting us play offline.

@BaffleBlend How does re-releasing the arcade games take away from something else?

And how is Nintendo "behind the times"? What do you want, $60 charged online and mandatory installs?

@Nintendoh I agree with you, but I just get the feeling that's the way they're going to go with it.

@Nintendoh Don't forget they already offer several options for that-- VC on Wii/Wii U/3DS (and they seem to have every intention to keep the 3DS as long as possible) and the Classic Minis. Depending on the extensiveness of the lineup, at $20/year the Switch service could end up being a FAR better deal.

@Crono1973 Pretty sure you got that reversed... The reason we have the mini consoles is because they decided not to do VC on Switch.

I will most definitely get all of these games when they are eventually released. I'm hoping we'll see all 3 DK arcade games as well as Popeye get releases eventually.

@SKTTR Same with Vs. Excitebike. The Wii U VC/ Animal Crossing GCN releases of Vs. Excitebike and Clu Clu Land D are the FDS (Famicom Disk System) versions, not the arcade versions. The FDS versions are closer to, yet still very different from the arcade Vs. System releases. The difference being that Vs. Excitebike has the same name as the FDS release. https://www.giantbomb.com/vs-excitebike/3030-22005/
As a side note, there was also an FDS release of Mario Bros. that was closer to the arcade version, called Kaettekita Mario Bros. It had better/ larger graphics, better/ closer to the arcade controls, but also crazy Japanese ramen noodle and other ads in game. This version was quietly released on cartridge in Germany only (fully in English), but sadly (to Americans) in PAL 50htz format. None of the actual Vs System Arcade games have been released outside of the arcade, until they get a Switch release.

@marandahir Nope. Nintendo World Championships 1990 was a special timed (6.5 min?) version of the NES versions of Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer and Tetris. You had to collect 50 coins in SMB, then the game would automatically switch to Rad Racer, where you had to complete one track. Upon doing that, you'd be transported to Tetris, where you simply go for a high score until time runs out. There were 3 other triple competition cartridges like this for the (S)NES. The 1990 one is similar to the mode in NES Remix. There was also a triple competition game for Genesis at a Blockbuster Competition. If you played on SNES, you played a timed version of Donkey Kong Country. Later, there was a timed version of Star Fox at Target, I think. After all of those, I think regular versions of games were used.

Speaking of which, it would be cool if they rereleased these special timed competition carts for the Switch. And speaking of arcade, a home version of the Playchoice 10 would be cool. I know it's 99% NES, but I loved the menu and instruction screens. Also, some games are slightly different. Goonies (wasn't released on the NES, only Famicom), Mario's Open Golf (kind of a hybrid of Famicom Mario Open and NES Open), Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (added ability to enter initials and save high score), Rad Racer (removed ability to select 3D mode), and Nintendo World Cup (removed 3 and 4 player modes).

Punch-Out, while intriguing, is a pain to play in the arcades due to its button layout. In that sense, the mappable Switch pad may just save the day.

Nintendo what is this strategy? Super mario bros 1986......... £6.29! No chance, £1.29 may consider (may) £6.29..... digital download, in house development, over priced!

@lemonjellydude Dont worry, it's the arcade version... the game is free and they opted for a "per life pricing" instead Game over, quick pay 1$ to continue