We already knew that every Switch firmware comes with a built-in NES emulator. But further investigation by some very dedicated people has uncovered quite the bogey: the codename of the emulator "flog" spelled backwards is "golf"... that happens to be exactly what those 24 kilobytes happen to be, the NES version of Golf!
You read that right: every Nintendo Switch owner out there owns one of the original black box games for the system with full two player Joy-Con support. However, as of this moment there is absolutely no way for anyone outside of Nintendo to access it. Since Nintendo is still shying away from revealing formal Virtual Console plans for the system (though recently confirmed a series of Arcade Archives releases), it is at least reassuring to learn that everything is already tucked away and in place regarding NES / Famicom emulation. Of course, updated iterations of NES games are planned as part of the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2018, as the 'Classic Game Selection'.
Food for thought: in 1984 Nintendo made a fully fledged, two player golf simulation in just 24 kilobytes. In 2017 we need 5 gigabytes to save a game of basketball. Converting into kilobytes turns "NBA 2K18" save data into 5,242,880 kilobytes. You could hold in that amount of data roughly 218,453 copies of NES Golf. Truly we have come a long way in this industry.
However It remains unlikely we will begin to see Switch packaging with a sticker saying "NES Golf Inside!".
Thanks to all that sent this in.
*Update* Yellows8 was able to play the game and confirmed not only traditional Joy-Con support but motion control as well.
[source mashable.com]
Comments 63
I wish they hid the universally agreed, GOAT game Hotel Mario instead.
It wouldn't suprise me if it takes an eventual homebrew to get access to the game.
Now if only they would release virtual console for switch already...
Because why not?
I can see this NBA 2k thing is becoming a meme. And I love it.
Anyway someone oughta get cracking on finding out where this game is on the Switch. Now I wanna play it.
It would be good if they could just release it already!
The joy con support is a great idea too. Now if only they could release GameCube games with widescreen and a higher resolution...you know like fans managed to do on PC years ago
Not Urban Champion? FAIL!
@RyanSilberman I don't get why people are that shocked. Both on N64 and GameCube (the last time Nintendo really got mainstream sports games) sports games with full rosters could never be saved on standard memory cards.
Probably just for testing, but I would love for this to be a free Virtual Console title when it finally comes. Golf is low-key one of the best NES titles... or at least it's one of my favorites.
You want that means? If the switch does one day outperform the Wii, that would technically mean that NES Golf could end up being the highest selling game of all time. XD
@Roam85 True, but 5GB is pretty insane. I'm not sure if this is the same for XBOX One and PS4, though.
Just give us the VC already.
A bogey has been spotted on the Switch.
It would be nice if Nintendo included a free game with the virtual console finally launches, but since when is NES Golf a "fully fledged, golf simulation"?
I will lose all respect for Nintendo if they decide to add Zelda CDi on the Virtual Console
@Zelda_Geek I just want hotel mario HD :/
Perhaps this is in anticipation of the paid online service?
Meh, the VC is just a glorified system filter for the eshop. We got Neo Geo games, Coin-op conversions are coming. As far as I am concerned, the VC has started...you just can't conveniently search for them all under one convenient group.
I heard about this on a hacking site.
@Lumine Let's just hope its better than the wii u one.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I was running out of golf term to apply to the post. I didn't want to make an Albatross out of myself.
@Shiryu Puns on this website are par for the course.
It's probably the first paid online subscription game and so it's unlocked when you pay for the subscription.
You might say "How things have changed" rather than "We've come a long way." lol
Hackers will do what Nintendont.
"Truly we have come a long way in this industry.", yes, a long way backwards. Since when wasting space in a badly designed save file is moving forward?
@nsmon25 I wrote "a long way", didn't state there weren't pluses and minuses along the path.
@Shiryu You hit two "birdies" with one stone.
That NBA 2K18 save file size is just plain bad, especially when you consider that the entire file size of Mario Odyssey is about the same size.
You would have needed OVER TEN THOUSAND launch-day memory cards for the Nintendo GameCube to save your NBA2K18 game.
Lots of important data in there I'm sure.
Switch has no games my butt. It has one even before you buy any! XD
Still taking cheap shots at an already proven untrue stat, instead of just being thankful you're actually getting some third party support on the Switch. Stay classy, Nintendolife.
Wow... !
@RedMageLanakyn Why so Shiryus? It's all in good fun and I will be picking up not only "NBA 2k18" but "WWE 2k18" as well. Not press review copies, actual physical editions bought with my own money, just to make sure that is clear.
Curious as to why Nintendo wouldn't throw the golf game in as a free download with Switch purchase??
@Shiryu Just seems like the easy cheap shot to piggyback off of yesterday's controversial comparison article is all. The finding of the golf game and the history behind it would've been perfectly fine without it.
@RedMageLanakyn But when life offers such grand opportunities... should we pass them up? Besides always nice to exercise my IT professional skills with those conversions.
Called it!
Can't wait for someone to figure out how to access the game now.
@Shiryu Hey, if it makes your day, more power to you.
@RedMageLanakyn I'm here 24/7.
Lol, I'd rather have Ice Hockey.
would murder for an upscaled mario golf on switch. have put hundreds of hours into that on 3ds. far and away my most played game on portable.
What a way to troll everyone Nintendo.
I wouldn't be surprised if they threw that in as an Easter egg and they never unlock it. The new Star Fox 2?
Best Switch game yet, lol
(I have the Famicom version of this and it's not NES Open, but it's actually not bad; weirdly, most people I know prefer this over NES Open though).
@AlwaysGreener Hey, now you're talking! I still hold some hopes that "Super Blood Hockey" gets a Switch port down the line...
In my whole life I still am unsure if I played more "Ice Hockey" or "Blades of Steel" on the NES. Even nowadays both remain strong favourites when I have friends over.
My guess its out there just for testing. Nintendo don't like to give away free stuff too much. Although we got
Super Mario Bros Deluxe for free on 3ds so we can hope we will get this crap as promo.
The lack of Virtual Console is my prime gripe with the Switch right now. I honestly expect at least some information about it by now.
Sup
Kinda bummed we didn't get Lee Carvello's Putting Challenge.
Is this 5GB save file thing verified? It cannot be right. If it is, somebody needs to go to jail, because that is criminal.
@Heavyarms55 There won't be any info until 2018 at the earliest, Nintendo's got retro boxes to sell.
What.....if all the NES games are already in the Switch memory? Then when the vc finally arrives you pay for games that where already on the system. I could totally see that happening. Of course hackers will find that out pretty soon!
UPDATE The game supports motion control as well! This opens up a whole new range of NES gameplay possibilities.
I'd like to see Gameboy and Gameboy Color games on Switch VC.
@Henmii Maybe 2K Games has hidden a few other sports games in that 5Gb save file.
Wait what, motion controls?
"But further investigation by some very dedicated people has uncovered quite the bogey..."
With my Eagle eye, I see what you did there ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). The writing was a hole-in-one. You've got balls to keep your puns fair and of course, are on par with a joke Masters club.
I'll go to the bunker with my sandwich.
I have played NES Golf in Gamecube Animal Crossing. Yeah, it was a Triple AAA game in the genre in 1984! It showed what a Golf game can be! NES Golf changed the way Golf games were made, and it also changed the way Golf games were played... for the better!
NES Golf later became redundant with the release of NES Open Tournament Golf which was better in every way, but most people know NES Golf because that's the old one that sold several millions.
If you travel back in time you can not find a better golf game on any system, and for that it's a nice part of history. Unfortunately that's every bit of value that's left to this game. Nowadays it seems absolutely basic and beginner-unfriendly.
Motion controls huh? For NES games? There are no benefits to that. Either it's just an internal test for this specific game, or it's Nintendo's strategy to squeeze 5€ out of every NES games for the third time.
And motion controls?! (MIND BLOWN).
If they do this with punch out, it'll be awesome.
When I purchased a Nintendo Switch, I had no idea that a game of Golf was included. Switch just keeps getting better!
Cool!
Interesting, & it's probably for testing; perhaps online multiplayer retrofitted to certain retro titles. No pun intended.
If Nintendo crowbarred motion controls into classic games on virtual console, I think it would be an absolute disgrace. The Virtual Console games are sacred classics and should be left untouched. One of the reasons retro games are great is because they're free of vulgar modern gimmicks like motion controls. If they must insist on ruining their new games with their weird obsession with waggle then fine, but don't go back and scar the classics. I hope this does not happen. It's a truly disgusting thought.
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