September is just around the corner and, unless you've somehow managed to miss the news, this means that we're about to see Nintendo's brand new paid-for online service kick into action. The service will be launching in the second half of the month, and you'd imagine that the console would need a pretty substantial firmware update to accommodate the changes; as it turns out, dataminers seem to have uncovered exactly what we can expect to see.
While it isn't available to the public just yet, hackers have managed to find out that the console's Version 6.0.0 firmware update has already been uploaded to Nintendo's servers. By accessing features early and rummaging through saved files, these users have picked out certain elements of the incoming changes, sharing information and photographs across various online forums.
Unsurprisingly, the main changes relate to the Nintendo Switch Online service. Apparently, the phrase "More Games. More Features. More Fun." is used as a branding slogan for the subscription, and dataminers have taken photographs of a new 'Save Data Cloud Backup' option accessible from a game's options menu. It would also appear that new user icons based on the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker will be released, featuring Toad himself, Toadette, Wingo and Draggadon.
Elsewhere, it appears that we might be about to receive new, officially-licensed Switch controllers that take on the appearance of the Famicom, NES, and SNES/Super Famicom. The image below reportedly shows a new batch of controller icons - alongside those that we're already familiar with - which would be used on screens such as the controller syncing menu. Third-party controllers usually just display as an ordinary Joy-Con or Pro Controller, so these new designs suggest Nintendo has its own line of controllers on the way.
Of course, with the Online Service set to feature a collection of NES games from the word go, this could indicate that the controllers are designed to be used with these retro titles. Rather than new controllers, perhaps the NES and SNES mini controllers will be supported?
As always, until Nintendo announces anything related to the information shared here, we'd urge you to take everything with a large pinch of salt. We don't have long to wait now until we see the Online Service in action, and we're sure we'll find out whether or not these things come true at that time.
In the meantime, though, why not let us know what you think about these potential findings? Do you expect to see version 6.0.0 drop soon? What do you think of those controller icons? Let us know below.
[source twitter.com, via reddit.com]
Comments 85
I'll wait and see. The new software update is not far away and then we'll see.
Can't wait for those new OS features. As long as it stays snappy as it is.
Yeah as already said, it's the controllers that have my interest piqued
I hope NES and SNES mini controllers work. I'd prefer to use them for the free games than the Pro Controller or Joy Con.
I’m just hoping for more stability...
I call BS. That Toadette icon is obviously a photoshopped Little Mac.
@Bondi_Surfer Don’t worry. You can’t have a Nintendo firmware update without stability.
Oh! Steady my beating heart...
Those controllers - take my moneys!
Those 10 extra games they've still to announce,they're going to be SNES games,I'm sure of it! If that image is genuine then that basically confirms it will be.
Haven't we had most of these games on previous consoles?
Seriously how insecure is Nintendo's servers for dataminers to be able to see hidden files... Obviously these files are not meant to be in the public view so how do they get in!? Next thing we're gonna see... Nintendo uploads E3 content before the presentation and dataminers see it!
...Still no themes.
I think Spawn Wave on YouTube said in a recent video not to believe any screenshots that surface of the firmware 6.0.0 update as his reliable sources didn't provide any to him either.
But for all we know these could be legit. just gotta wait n see.
C'mon achievements... Fingers Crossed
I'd be happy with folders, or any kind of game arrangement option, though...
@OorWullie that is an interesting idea for sure! I was thinking that it would just be another controller for Smash and other games, but I hadn’t thought that they’d do SNES games— not for awhile at least. But if they did, I’d probably get this day 1 then
Folders is probably the main feature I am hoping for, simply to make organising the 100+ games I have!
But what about folders!?
Anyone cried about voice chat yet?
But yeah folders and messaging would be enough for me at the mo.
Wheres the the damn carear tab!! Oops wrong thread
I like the sound of dataminer! Time to do some datamining!
Where are the Themes or folders? Come on Nintendo.
Also, no gamecube or N64 controllers on the controller list
When is the update being released?
@Whalehome If it is just to be NES games the service launches with I can't see why they would hold back announcing what they are.The announcement of 10 more NES games is not going to create any hype. 10 SNES games however,including Super Mario Kart Online is a different story.
I'm kind of over the whole collectable craze that Nintendo is in nowadays with all these controller versions and special editions and LA LA but some people like it so - shrugs-
Would absolutely love to be able to use SNES Mini controllers! However unless they plan to release a USB adaptor how would it connect?
Can they add themes?
Is it too much to hope that the new controllers might have D-pads?
Please let it be Virtual Console GameCube games
I just want a streaming service like YouTube or Netflix. Orrrrrrr a web browser
@Djgoa I originally thought to mention your career tab before scrolling through the comments. Maybe one day!
I do need some more stability, though. I was playing Human Resource Manager last night, and the console began shaking all over the entertainment center. As the pets ran and my ceiling cracked and crumbled around me, I fell onto my knees and cried out to the heavens for stability. Please, Reggie, hear my cries.
@Fandabidozi Plot twist, the new controller is a 3'x3' Dpad. No buttons.
Pie in the sky thinking, but Nintendo has the opportunity to get ahead of the game with this. One example could be digital resale by consumers where Nintendo gets a cut of the proceeds. Show some of that famed Nintendo innovation! ...oh, and achievements pretty please.
@Joeynator3000 yeah, i don't care about anything else in this firmware update, i have no interest in paid online so this new firmware offers me nothing really.
@Kimyonaakuma the simple things nintendo seems to have forgotten about it seems.
@OorWullie That's exactly what I have in mind, although I cant be sure about it. It'd be great!
How in the world would the Switch support NES/SNES Mini controllers? There’s no feasible way to connect them to the console. The icons obviously represent an incoming new controller option.
I just don't get this different controller for different games rubbish. I just hope those controllers are not required to play the games.
@thesilverbrick I was wondering the same. How do the Gamecube controllers work with the Switch? Is there a peripheral for USB to Gamecube adaptor? Perhaps there's scope for something like this. We will see I guess!
This NEED a Direct before Paid Online Service started.
@thesilverbrick I have a USB adapter to connect the Wii type controllers (Wii Classic Controller, NES Mini, SNES Mini) to my PC. It can be done.
No messaging is weird. I mean, Smash had a mail icon on the dashboard so does that mean games do it separately? Does the Smash home button connect to some sort of Miiverse ver.2?
@Yorumi It's not sarcasm, the data miners just left out the rest of the slogan:
"Mo money. Mo money. Mo money."
@OorWullie Sorry buddy.
https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1035240754145198080
'20 NES games at launch, with more on the way'
(I would take the more to be added to mean NES games too)
That’s disappointing......There is no N64 / GameCube controller Icons, or Saturn, or Dreamcast
I am against articles with data miners and generally what hackers do. And, of course, @RyanCraddock , the NintendoLife writer strikes again with his daily "Hackers News". He just won't stop. Every single day the same thing, over and over. It speaks volumes about how the quality of NintendoLife coverage in general has declined this year.
@Gerald
or stability!
@Cosats you can always choose to not click and read the article. Others might enjoy
Folders. Nintendo, I just want folders.
And maybe a more functional activity log.
And themes.
But, if nothing else, folders.
I do hope that there will some more substantial features forthcoming. How about folders and sorting options? How about built in voice chat and - I cannot believe I am saying this in 2018 - MESSAGING of all things. How about wireless audio support? Streaming Apps? Not to mention something to add to the systems versatility like copying Sony's share play feature (if even possible) ... Plenty could and should be done with the system. Cloud-storage is really - just as folders - an obvious shortcoming. Not something I can genuinely cheer for in 2018.
Not to mention, that I haven't played anything online on the Switch for the longest time, so Nintend Online is in itself not an interesting proposal - not without a proper VC library at least. I'm also already supporting PS+ and XBLG for most of the year, so ... yeah, that is where my online play will remain, I guess.
I'm really impressed by this! We've been waiting 18 months for more details on the new service. And what these hackers uncovered the motherlode with this firmware update. It turns out that of all the features Nintendo's been hiding for 18 months, this firmware clearly shows we're getting cloud saves! With a manual menu to access them on the game menu! I for one did not see that coming!
that's all nice and all, but where is the Poké Ball Plus Controller? It was already announced ages ago, isn't it weird that they don't update an icon for it at the same time they're doing it for still unannounced controllers? (I just really want an icon for it on the menu, come on! haha)
@Matthew010 I would guess mini controllers don't work. The picture also shows Famicom controllers (which are not detachable).
Perhaps new wireless controllers?
@Bunkerneath I think we will in the future. It’s in the early stages right now. Wait till next year, we may get new games and a new platform of old games on the switch
Fooooooolders ! Nothing else
@NEStalgia We learned that cloud saves were coming back in May. It's the one feature I'm actually hyped about for the Online Service, haha.
Switch 6.0.0 will coming on VR mode, Backup Cloud, Online Service and HOME MENU UI never change. But not added apps such as Internet Browser, Movies and Music Library. Because it needed improve performance stability boot and load time.
@OorWullie lol they said 20 nes games
@Klunk23 @redd214 And this, folks, is why I abuse emoji.
@123akis It's called viral marketing.
I'm excited about new features, but 6.0 needs to bring some surprises for it to be interesting. Also, new unexpected features would draw some scrutiny away from how successful the online service is at launch.
@Ralizah My heart weeps for a proper activity log.
I don't see how the controllers would be from the NES/SNES Classic systems as theorized by this article. The Switch doesn't have the same connections as those controllers use (which are the same ports from the Wii Remotes).
@thesilverbrick It's possible through Wii remote jack through bluetooth (on previous systems and PC), so maybe a wireless little adapter with 2 or 4 spots to plug in. It would be nice for some shared usage there, but... I think Nintendo will just sell new wireless options because, you know.
If only it had folders, themes, and time tracking in an activity log.
@gcunit It's so stupid. Their last two systems both have fully-fledged activity logs. How hard could it possibly be to design one for the Switch?
I'm just sitting over here waiting on that sweet, sweet stability that the 3DS enjoys in spades....
Still no Xenoblade icons...
I hope the NES/SNES controller compatibility means that new wireless NES/SNES controllers are on the way, not some adapter that connects the existing NES/SNES Mini controllers to the dock ala the GameCube controller adapter. I like playing in tabletop mode, which isn't possible when using a wired controller adapter.
Super sad at the utter lack of information they have provided on an online service launching within the next month
I'll just be happy once they finally get their heads out of their butt, and follow every other developer like Square, Level-5, Atlus, Game Freak, and move their development from 3DS to Switch, because there are many 1st party franchises begging for a Switch release, and they refuse to do so, because the 10 active 3DS users keep being so vocal online about wanting new games- hence why new 3DS releases keep bombing on the charts (Wario Ware couldn't even crack the top 20 overall!).
@Pod I know, it’s smacks of non commitment from Nintendo. They should go 3rd Party 😀
I like to take these leaks with a grain of salt, but a lot of these details make it seem like a safe bet. Nothing too crazy here, almost to the point of this not really being newsworthy.
Im hoping they finally add folders. I like to keep my games organized.
Folders and party chat please. I'm gonna be upset if I have to use my phone with my Switch in order to talk and play with my friends on there.
@Gerald
It would be the only sensible move!
Its a shame we have to find these things out from sources other than Nintendo. Maybe if Nintendo wasn't so tight lipped and didn't wait until the last minute for everything, we wouldn't be hearing what Nintendos plans are from other sources. In a sense, I think it's wrong to blow the surprise for everyone leaking stuff but in the same breath, Nintendo needs to get stuff out in the open quicker than they normally do. A Nintendo direct focused on the switch online service is mandatory and were under a month away from release with no more information regarding the remaining 10 nes titles. That's all i want to hear at this point and still nothing.
In theory, all you'd have to do is make Wiimotes compatible with Switch then you open out the NES and SNES Mini controllers through its input. You'd then have Wii controls as a possibility, whether that would mean Wii games on the service or games/ports having the option though that just leaves a sensor bar to make it all possible.
All of my yes for cloud data saves.
It's about time.
The only thing I want: folders
Seriously, Nintendo better add folders with this new update!
All I want is some apps.
With this Nintendo Online Service, what I really want is a... Feast! 🎶I want a beanfeast! Cream buns and doughnuts and fruitcake with no nuts, so good you could go nuts...!🎶
Willy Wonka moment aside, I’m desperate for themes and folders in particular! I ever-so want to organize my games. And to have more options than black or white.
Will I be able to use these JoyCons?
Eshop music, themes, and a rating system so I can shuffle through the 9 billion indies to find the good ones
I was expecting added support for Wii and Wii U controllers, but I guess the 8bitdo adapter will keep the job done.
inticing, very much
Do the cloud backups allow you to transfer your saves to a new system? If not, what's the point?
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