Video: How Do NES Games On Switch Compare To The NES Mini, Virtual Console And More?

If we could change the controller layout it would be better on merit of portability alone... But that botton layout for any of the Mario games just doesn't work for extended plays.

I would be one of the first to say that the emulations look fantastic. The colours really pop as opposed to the WiiU version which look faded and dull.

Needs button config and an option to change the border to plain black.

I prefer the nes mini. It just gives it the near real experience of a official nes

I'm glad they are, because I'm shocked at how terrible some games run. My 3ds could do this ffs.

Need button configuration

@AhabSpampurse The moment I loaded up in 4:3 (after trying and disliking CRT filter) I breathed such a sigh of relief! Colours popped and there was no scrolling shimmering

Highly recommend this video and channel in general, My Life In Gaming is superb. Obscenely high production values and fascinating in depth looks at retro game image quality among other topics

It's funny how the Minis emulate better than ever but there are still people giving them bad personal reviews.

About CRT filters or 4:3 options, it's a difficult internal debate to choose between the way programmers had in mind and the way it actually was displayed on yesteryear's screens. Although CRT filters of modern versions of retro games are hit or miss, actually.

For people complaining about the button layout, The X button doubles as a B button. So you can play using the X and A buttons quite comfortably.

@sr_388

Many people probably prefer y and b.

Nintendo should really add an option to show the game only on screen. No borders or menu instructions.

@jobvd I guess but it's basically the same. And I can just imagine explaining to non gamers: "The B button is the A button and the Y button is the B button." and there would be mass confusion lol.

Anyway, I just mentioned it as I've seen a number of people talk about how uncomfortable it is to play Mario because they were using the B button to run, which would be an awkward way to play.

I didn't see it mentioned here. You can't use the dpad on the pro controller can you? To me that's a big oversight and unfortunate. There is no way I'm buying $60 controllers for 20 NES games. But I do have a pro controller and would prefer to play that way. Otherwise, my life in gaming is great. And this video shows quality emulation was created here.

I sorta wish these emulators would let you use some overscan.
Back on real hardware, things like enemy sprites appearing on both the far left, and far right edge - or popping in around that area - were happening offscreen.

@NintendoFan4Lyf

With the Nes, the buttons were side by side. Snes starting the diamond button layout. In the Snes re-release of Mario All-Stars, they let you use Y and B (Y acting as B, and B acting as A). This was a good deal more comfortable as you can use your thumb joint to roll on the buttons. I don't have Nintendo online so I can't try the use x button. But it seems like it's an oversight that the buttons are un-customizable as the button placement is pretty high on the Switch and might not feel ideal.

@cleveland124 the d-pad on the pro controller works fine with these. Heck, I'm using mine right now.

@Jazzem agreed on all points. I'm playing through SMB3 again (for the five millionth time) and I'm struck by how good it looks on Switch hardware in 4:3

The menu instructions are very off-putting. Why they need to be displayed at all times is beyond me.

They need to fix the lag issue

@SKTTR
What would you like to change with the button layout? Using L and R for A and B?🤔

@cleveland124 I agree. Super Mario All Stars already included this option. I can't understand why people think more options is bad or that will confuse people. Are people not capable of choosing their own options?

@OorWullie Yeah it's something so Nintendo to display silly things to remind you that you can read the instructions or open a menu. It should be displayed for the first few seconds only.

@NintendoFan4Lyf It would make sense to have the option. Been playing Mario 3 on NES Classic lately, when you play on switch the buttons feels off and it's a little annoying. I think it's because the angle of the button layout. I'd much prefer B to run, Y to jump ifnI had the choice.

I'll stick with my original NES and carts thank you

@NintendoFan4Lyf

Hah, yeah, I adapted to it pretty quickly too. Kirby Squeak Squad taught me to deal with odd button placement. Not to mention playing NES games, of course. I have a feeling most of the people here grew up with SNES so this is all a bit much for them.

Still... how hard would it be to simply program button remapping? Pretty sure the GBA virtual console and such allowed for it cause I distinctly remember tampering with the button placement for Mega Man Zero.

I also haven't noticed any button lag at all, so no idea what that's about.

I was pretty happy to see how good everything felt. Most of the nuances they talk about I don't notice except maybe for input lag but even then that's usually something I just adjust to.

So far the games run perfectly on our Switches. My only gripe is with the online feature. we tried connecting two of our systems to the internet to play two player River City Ransom and it kept disconnecting us......minutes later our network had no problem with multiple Switches running Fortnite and one TV streaming a show! I'll blame it on first night network overload!

Button customization is a "MUST". Hopefully Nintendo adds that in ASAP. I want those controllers but I don't think they're worth $60.....maybe I'll splurge at Christmas.

In response to button mapping I don't really understand why when you use the joycon sideways you have to press + or - and the L or R buttons at the same time for Start and select. Why can't I just use L and R for start and select without pressing an extra button? Just a pet peeves of mine.

What's wrong with using the B-button to run? That's the way it is on the Game Boy Advance, and it plays fine. I play the same way on the Wii U gamepad for Mario Maker, and I'm probably better at Mario than any of you since I unlocked all of the Mystery Mushroom costumes even the Super Expert ones.

One more gripe: I thought there was going to be online leader boards!!!! Nintendo, get leader boards. Some of these games are classic high score gems.

Nice, they really do need to have an option to hide the button prompts at the bottom and change or remove the side borders so they are solid black. Also would love to re-map keys and assign REWIND to the L button.

I'd like them to include the instruction manuals in the options.
I do find that the sound makes the odd crackling noise as if a wire isn't plugged in correctly when there is no music.
And the fact high scores are only saved if you create a save file is a bit lazy as could easily patch it so it saves seperately.

But a good start overall as to me it is a 'free bonus' as the subscription cost is so I can play Switch games online. Hope we get more games monthly and nintendo starts to tell us stuff beforehand.

If I'm right, this emulation is the work of NERD (Nintendo European Research & Development), based in Paris. We owe them the great screen of the New 3DS, the DS games on the Wii U virtual console, the Wii ports on the Wii U eshop, the Nes Mini and I think the Snes Mini (not sure).

If Nes emulation on Switch is truly from them, no surprise it's a great piece of work.

The RGB display on the Sony CRT monitor is amazing. Now I wish I had more virtual console games on the Wii since it supports analog video output!

Pretty encouraging that these guys like the Switch emulation. I was also surprised and annoyed that you can't turn the border off, but hopefully they will fix that in a future update.

@MrBlacky Just mapping the B button to X is all to make me feel comfortable playing these games. I'm a SNES kid though so why should NES kids listen to me?

@SKTTR
But you can use the X-button as B-button. Did you even try it or looked at the control layout?

The border is there to remind you that you do not own these games.

The lack of button mapping is a problem for people who are accustomed to using Y & B to play Mario from SNES days. I know it’s super-difficult to understand an issue you yourself don’t experience as genuine, but surely this makes sense?

And the border is straight up insanity. Why do the controls need to be at the bottom of the screen the whole time?

@MrBlacky Meant B to Y and A to B.

@AhabSpampurse -Also the Hori (l) controller in portable mode also works great! (The d pad)