At Nintendo's 79th annual general meeting of shareholders yesterday, company president Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about the possibility of retro software from platforms such as the Nintendo 64 and GameCube era appearing on the Switch in future.
In response, Furukawa said he had no "new information" to share, but did explain the Japanese video game giant had been thinking about extending its online service and acknowledged fans who had been wanting to play certain older titles (special thanks to Japanese Nintendo for the translation):
“At this place we cannot tell new information about future classic hardware among others, but we are thinking about providing an extension of the online service which is currently providing Famicom [NES] software, as well as other methods of providing them. We also recognise that there are opinions wanting to play past titles.”
As of April this year, close to 10 million users have signed up to use the Nintendo Switch Online service. At the time of the milestone, Nintendo's president noted how users were still enjoying NES offerings and wanted to make the service "more attractive" over the long-term.
What other content would you like to see added to the Switch Online service? More retro games, more online multiplayer titles? Tell us below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 121
In before:
"Super Nintendo Entertainment System Online" announcement.
SNES Online kinda got rumored/leaked a long time ago, so it seems inevitable.
@Sean161 It’s all the same as before but with some NES games, some of which are quite fun. There are a lot of quite poor games though, but just enough good ones to make it alright value
Just give me F-ZERO GX HD and SUPER MONKEY BALL 1 & 2 HD.
If Sony can stream PS2, ps3 and ps4 titles via PS now, Nintendo can certainly stream Gamecube games. I repeat my call for common sense in the wake of Spyro and Crash selling so well: release Gamecube Replay Collection Volume 1, featuring Mario Sunshine, Double Dash, Wave Race Blue Storm, & 1080 Avalanche. I'd pay full price for that, no questions asked. Volume 2 to follow 6 months later with Smash Melee, Luigi's Mansion, Wind Waker, and Animal Crossing. Nintendo, I'll accept a commission of 2% of all profits for this idea.
They should provide a subscription-based service for virtual titles. I know some people who have purchased the same game multiple times because of system updates. SaaS is the way to go.
@GX_Ash @Sean161 plus tetris 99, which itself is great value for what you pay for the online subscription
SNES games would be great, but they will have the same problem as the NES games. Many of the titles are duplicates of the Mini consoles.
@Sean161 I believe the online play is pretty much the same but the biggest benefits are cloud saves and Tetris 99. Cloud saves are absolutely fine except the handful number of games which don't support the feature. NES is also a plus if you are into those games. There's also the game vouchers they announced which is good for getting discounts on digital games on day 1 or before.
@PawlSLax I forgot about that. That game is great!
That should have happened from day one.
Oh, they did notice the public might like games from other systems. Took their time. And clearly it wasn't the plan.
You’re tearing me apart!...with this lack of SNES titles
Makes sense. Lets get the library of Virtual Boy games to play in Switch VR only with updated graphics that don't give you a headache.
Anyone that signed up for a year at launch... well that year is gonna be up soon. With that in mind, I could see them beefing up the service in advance to get people to sign up again. Let’s hope so.
Throw on some classic gamecube games. I’m certainly interested in Mario 64 and a few other N64 titles, but gamecube is where everything got really good for me
Don't think, do it
I have zero interest in NES games, their online service is a fair price though. I would be interested in SNES/N64/GBC titles
I mean is that really a surprise?
Me and a lot of other people predicted this happening from the day the NES library was announced.
Once they are done with NES games, continuing with SNES is just the obvious thing to do.
I am just not sure about later games from later consoles. The online service seems to be too cheap for that.
N64 games? Maybe. But GameCube? Highly unlikely.
They will probably provide these games in some way as well at some point, but for more money in some way.
@Sean161 awful.it allows you to play online that's it.
They did have a nice library of classic games. Unfortunately it was stuck on the wii. This is just sad.
@Sean161 It wholly depends on whether or not you want to play titles online. I had my fun with Mario Kart online, and I occasionally pick up a NES game for an hour, and we are talking about a couple of bucks a year, so it's not like it's a huge investment.
I am sure that once a fun online game appears that I can play with my kids, I will get even more use out of it. I am not into Warframe or Fortnite or whatever, but so far, so good for me.
Only "thinking"?
Don't wait until switch 2 just do it.
Really? I'm sure Reggie himself said this about 2 years ago stating it was the reason why the Switch doesn't have a virtual console, not to mention that we already know they have tested SNES games out on the Switch. Problem is Nintendo like to drip feed these in perpetuity
There are still a few NES games that I would love to see... Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands, New Zealand Story, Rodland...
Beyond the Nes?? Gee what a concept!! It’s only 2019 for Pete’s sake!! Thank God the Switch is already a retro powerhouse and we’re not restricted to online only to enjoy em!! I haven’t tried one single Nes online game yet & I’m a subscriber too!!
Do it, do it now!
@joey302
This is the biggest sticking point for me... that you have to be online to actually play the games. Hopefully something will be done about this. These games would be great for quick blasts on the bus or train.
Can we just get on with it? You're so close to having Super Mario Kart with added online multiplayer, which people would pay for alone, its not even funny.
@Ooyah you don't always need to be online (unless you're using online multiplayer, of course). The app only needs an internet check to verify the active subscription, once in a week or two IIRC.
I feel like at the 1 year mark since Online went paid is when they'll announce SNES games. That way they can entice people to pay for a second year. I'm totally fine with paying a yearly fee to be able to play SNES games online.
I do enjoy the Online NES library that we get, however increasing it too include the SNES, N64 and Gamecube would be great, as there are some amazing games on those that could increase the Switch popularity. Similarly something similar to should I say it XBOX Game Pass/Gold would be nice as well.
Think it would make total sense if they add this around September - a huge wave of people signed up for online on a years subscription when it originally became available in Sept 2018 and will be now be thinking if they should renew. A new offering like this could certainly do the trick.
@JohnnyC Funny thing is that they wouldn't even need to be streamed. Admittedly I haven't tried Gamecube games myself but the Switch can run many fine in Linux from what I've seen. Get a properly-optimized emulator (not to bash Dolphin, but something made in-house for the Switch and its OS would be better) and the Switch could totally emulate most any Wii game with few issues.
Also I'm p sure that PS Now doesn't support PS2 games, afaik the PS4 emulates them
@Braok Good to know, but personally I'm not bothered about the mechanics, as long as I get to play them legitimately. I know I could pirate most of the retro games I want to play, but I've never been into that.
I don't even mind paying for it either as another subscription, a collection (physical or download), or even individual titles on the eshop just throw us a bone Nintendo. We just want some way to play legacy titles on current hardware.
You'll more than make back whatever the negligible cost is. I just can't understand why you don't want to make more money from your extensive back catalogue. Your competitors have realised and capitalised on this notion.
@JohnnyC
There's no need to actually stream GC games on Switch since the Switch will probably be able to play GC/Wii games perfectly on its own! The Nvidia Shield (as you might know it's pretty much the same as a Switch on the inside) can run Dolphin almost perfectly and that emulator isn't even developed by Nintendo.
@JohnnyC there is no way they would sell you all those games bundle for only 60 lol
@Sean161 it’s okay, if you like Splatoon 2 it’s preyy worth it
we're near in 2020. Still no Netflix no SNES games.
Nintendo trolling us again. What on Earth is taking so long.... clearly they aren’t Thinking about it... the plan from the start was to add retro games and they said as much and they were starting with NES - to pretend it’s occurred to them they could add more is insulting to all of us.... just get on with what was clearly planned from the start.
WE NEED NINTENDO DS and N64 games for nintendo SWITCH.
If they could add games from the SNES/GB to Wii/DS, that be great.
Get it done - the NES gamed see fine but the online offering is pretty crap. Need to ditch the app
The Wii U has 4 ways to play Mario 3:
-Wii VC NES
-Mario All-Stars disc
-Wii U VC NES
-Wii U VC GBA
The Switch only has one way to play... and it will eventually expire!
@nhSnork
Oh! Is that so? I tried playing it just yesterday offline, and it denied me, but I haven't been online with my Switch for a while. Thank you for this... I will look into it!
How about nintendo get dedicated servers first?
Wasn't Super Mario Kart teased before the Switch launch with online play?
Come on! N64 mini please!!
@Sean161
If you are really into NES games then you will be mostly satisfied. In my opinion about 20% of the games are worth playing. The rest feel like the leftovers you find at the video rental store that no one wants to play. It needs more beyond the NES because they can not(or will not) license the rest of the good games apparently.
Fans: I sure hope NSO expands to SNES and maybe even N64 games!
Nintendo: Enjoy two NES games per month.
Fans: Some of these are fun, but you know what would be better? SNES games.
Nintendo: Special NES games? Like, special version of Zelda? Here ya go.
Fans: I think you misunderstood, we want SUPER NES games.
Nintendo: Lots of people like NES. The games are super good!
Fans: ...that's not...ok Nintendo, whatever.
Also Nintendo: People say NSO isn't good value and sales aren't as high as we expected, how can we add value?
Fans: What about SN-
Nintendo: We'll think about it. No promises.
Let me just buy the damn games. Why do I need to get a new 3ds or a Wii u?
@Tandy255 you cant play snes mini handheld though... they need to bring them over.
@Ooyah agreed- and there’s STILL no purchase option!! I would’ve bought a few of those Nes games by now to add to my retro Switch library!! 🤣😆
@WhiteTrashGuy
in effing deed man
The NES well is really running dry, I hope they’re leaning closer to SNES than Gameboy. The leak from a while ago suggested they are at least.
I’ve barely played any SNES games outside of Super Mario World and the Final Fantasys so would love to catch up on games regarded as classics like A Link to the Past and Super Metroid.
Thinking? huh duh you should... and they better not charge extra for SNES or make games only playable on the NEW Nintendo Switch
I hope they add gameboy games next
I just bought a n64! I hope they do it as I found only some nes games appealing.
Imagine if they re-release the n64 controller 😂 classic!
I can only hope they add SNES games by September. They are running out of marketable NES games. Star Tropics II, Jackal and Bubble Bobble are about the only common good ones we're missing not locked behind a movie/comic license (Looking at you Turtles trilogy)
@Sean161 i would have said no but Tetris 99 alone makes it fairly decent value.
I’m hoping for some great SNES games, but I’m trying to remember it could be classic gameboy games, which would be pretty sad. Or Virtual Boy with the VR kit...ehich would be even worst, IMHO. Any other console would be good. 🤞
Are they still thinking of "extending the service"? What have they been doing since the last time they said that? Damn Nintendo, pick up the pace guys
I thought we were promised this??? Since I am exclusively a single-player and local multiplayer fan (yes, I am old and boring — I even play Splatoon 2 exclusively one player!), and since I picked up basically every NES title I want on Wii Virtual Console (RiiP), Online’s only draw for me will be other legacy console content. Since I’m pretty well stocked on N64 and SNES via cartridges and/or collections and/or Virtual Console, the real draw would be GameCube and (gasp) Wii games ON THE GO — or even legacy portable consoles akin to 3DS’ Virtual Console library (but also they should include Minnish Cap this time).
My hopes are frankly low on this front. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised before!
@NoxAeturnus your comment is 100% what is actually happening. Made me LOL, especially when they came back like, "NSO isn't doing as well as we expected"... we're just like "really dude?..."
@Sean161 Doesn’t worth your money for now, it didn’t improve a thing in multiplayer since all games remain P2P, and the Cloud Saves won’t be compatible with critical titles like Dark Souls, Splatoon and Pokémon. I took the subscription with the hope of a decent Virtual Console library, but even NES is barebones, lacking major titles like Mega Man and Castlevania.
@mist you win
Please understand.....
@Sean161 I Mean The NES Games Are Ok, The Smartphone App Is Neat But Completely Unnecessary, And Some Games That Have The Online Service Shouldn't Have It, For Example, Rocketleague Pretty Much Half Of The Functions Are Locked Behind The Online Service
Well that would be a bit of terrific
@WhiteTrashGuy and if those IPs were owned by either Microsoft or Sony, you'd probably have those by now.
The "other methods of providing them" bit he said could mean the Virtual Console could return so that non subbers could partake!
Definitely need more retro games. I've been looking for the NES game 'Kick Master' since the Wii came out. And what about 'Gauntlet Legends' that game was freaking sweet for the N64. I would just really like to play those games again. Mainly Kick Master cause I never got to beat my brother traded it out from under me.
Good, maybe now people will shut up about SNES games.
It's quite ironic, Switch currently has a better PS1 collection than any legacy Nintendo system that's not NES or Wii U.
@w00dm4n The original vision of NSO's retro offerings were both NES and SNES but each game would be available for only a month. As soon as they changed the structure to an ongoing library being added to they removed reference to SNES.
Maybe Super NES games will comes when they launch the new Switch Pro, it makes sense too since they added Super NES games to the 3DS Virtual Console when the New 3DS launch, heck the old 3DS couldn't even download Super NES games at all. My guess is that they are doing the same thing with the Switch Pro models, the original Switch could only support NES games and the new Switch Pro model could play both NES and Super NES games. By doing this they will persuade more consumers to get the new Pro model if they want to enjoy Super NES titles. Of course this is just speculation but let's face it, the did it before so it likely may happen again.
@Sean161. It is worth to play games on line. Ned Library is OK.
I can see them releasing apps for the Snes and N64, just like the one for the NES games, but for Gamecube titles, I think they'll release each game to be downloaded separately.
I need me some Faxanadu on the service. Hell there’s a ton of untapped games still. Despite that, SNES is a must. And so is GBA, N64, and GameCube. Get it all on there already. Just announce every system and release a game for each one every month or so. I wouldn’t care if they did that; release an SNES game this month and a GameCube game the next month.... you know, staggering it all or whatever.
More retro offerings from other platforms will definitely come at some point, but not soon enough IMO.
I more interested in the “other methods of providing them” I wonder if that means buying the games outright may come back again.
I'd love to play Donkey Kong 64 again
Oh are you now Nintendo!
@JayJ if they do that, then they'll likely as 40 - 60 per title. Non of the games for Virtual Boy are worth that money, even if they are "remasters"
@Sean161 For the NES... Unless you and your friend have EXCELLENT online connectivity, and I’m talking with a LAN cable by personal experience, and you put the NES games into low latency mode, the lag for an online game is so awful its unplayable. Theres a few great classics among most of whats there. Its about taste though. I’m a Zelda 2, Mario 3, Kirby and Startropics kind of guy. You won’t interest me in Baseball or Clu Clu Land. Other games I play online often don’t really have this problem. Castlevania and Mega Man obviously aren’t included. Games like Dark Souls and Splatoon 2 aren’t cloud save compatible, and those are some of the games you REALLY wanna back up. Tetris 99 is fun, and it’s offline mode is purchasable as DLC. So, $20 ain’t terrible for a year if you like to play online. It could be a lot better, but you aren’t really missing much.
I suggest getting Super Mario Maker 2 with the $10 year added. I’m in love with it, and for $10 instead of $20 you get to have a whole year to try it.
I understand people complain about the NES games but it's only a matter of time before the latter consoles-- They just wanted to prolong the inevitable by kicking off with NES. I believe when SNES does come, those will trickle out while the NES games continue to trickle out as well, then the next console, then the next. I don't concern myself with it and just play all the other good software on Switch.
Are they going to keep thinkng about it until the next console comes out and they can start over with nes games for the, what is it, 4th time?
@RevampedSpider Horrible but possible.
You’d think something like this would be obvious at Nintendo... it isn’t like fans are asking for it or at least for the return of the VC.
I won't mind if Nintendo just release the classic games on the regular Switch eShop.
GameBoy!
GameBoy!
GameBoy!
GameBoy!
GameBoy!
they need to do something because it's currently p@#÷poor
They should take their time thinking. they don't want to make any rash decisions now, you know.
A step up from NES? Oh no no no. Here's betting they go straight to Atari with a licensing agreement to treat the fans who never played games like Adventure. Hell we might even get a remastered 4-bit version. With voice chat !!!
Now I want a remastered Stampede and Demon Attack.
@rushiosan it's missing mega man because if it had it the legacy collection wouldn't sell lol
p sure something similar has castlevania in it
@retro_player_22 They did it before because the original 3DS genuinely wasn't powerful enough to have good emulation in most games.
@Sean161 Honestly, it feels like it's an afterthought for Nintendo. They're charging less for Online than the others, but they're also treating it like a cheap service. Lack of even the most basic functions and they drop a couple NES ROMs onto it a month, of which a few are real gems, but most are just throwaway titles they couldn't sell on their own if they tried.
You do get Tetris99, which admittedly is very good, but only if you're into multiplayer Tetris.
It's $20 a year, so you get what you pay for. If you're looking for a good retro experience, 3DS and Wii U have better selections from Nintendo and Switch eShop has better 3rd party selections.
In a dream world, they would add games from all past virtual console platforms to the service.
Meh. I'm tired of their attempts at "trickle down" releases. By the time we get a good library, we'll have to migrate to the next system and start it ALL OVER AGAIN.
@sanderev they will only offer Mother 3
jk
Besides SNES games is also wanna see Game Boy franchise games, DS, N64, GameCube, Wii, just make it virtual console all over again!
PCEngine games please.
GameCube games on Switch, GameCube games on Switch, please GameCube games on Switch..!
I have enjoyed a few NES games and Tetris 99 is cool. If they add other consoles though I want games that are different, not the same as SNES Mini.
@Kirgo I'd be fine if all we got was NES and SNES. I am kinda hoping for Game Boy, Game Boy Color., and Game Boy Advance as well. I see everything beyond as more valuable as re-releases or compilations (I'm sure money could be made from an N64 compilation of just Nintendos first party N64 games)
@WhiteTrashGuy But how could you play the games with a SINGLE Joy-Con? Accessibility is what you must account for.
@JohnnyC Watch them do this idea, but with all the games mixed up, so they don't have to pay you .
Can we get the most popular titles from the older consoles aka snes, 64, and gamecube? Im sure it wouldn’t be much harder to throw in gba titles as well which would be awesome on the switch
Its going to be just Gameboy and SNES games. Not that they are bad but we aren't getting anything 3D from this.
@rdm22 @Braok @Sabrewing @matthewwtaylor @Whalehome @JohnnyC @JereJK Hopefully didn't miss anybody.
I could be wrong but I doubt its going to be GameCube games. The Switch can easily remaster/remake GameCube games to HD (and some of them already have been remade like the Resident Evil), N64 games are also primed for Remakes and a direct port would look really ugly leaving the legacy consoles for the Switch Online.
Most likely we'll be getting GameBoy and SNES games as additions to the service.
Nothing to write home about but great for people who missed their older games.
@SNES64DD but at that point it’s really a matter of what’s easier to do. Yeah some HD remasters would be cool but direct ports would be a lot easier to push out right? Then you won’t have to charge a premium for the HD versions when you can drop the ports for like $10, which will attract many more consumers considering most people don’t want to pay today’s msrp of $60 for a game they already played in the past with better graphics. There are some games that would be great as remakes but some that necessarily don’t need them imo. They could remake some with the potential to be replayed and port the others. I feel like both sides would be happy that way.
@JereJK
"which will attract many more consumers" / "what’s easier to do"
When has Nintendo really done things for mass marketing money sake?
Seriously, the Switch could have launched with Miiverse, Virtual Console and more casual games to attract that market first (my sister, for example, had a fleeting interest in the Switch but commented she didn't like most of the games coming to it) but they went with Zelda and Mario and Skyrim.
Nintendo is a bit of a perfectionist and that company that sells you the products that most people would deem a failure and non-mainstream.
A console is normal but none of theirs has been. Not to mention they don't even make that anymore.
I'm not saying it's necessarily bad business practices but more so what makes Nintendo feels makes the least impact to their games moving forward...which is what they like to do.
They don't want to plague customers with nostalgic content and rarely has remakes and remasters as it is (besides like Zelda).
Seriously, people want a Super Mario Galaxy and Sunshine HD compilation and while I'm not against that my point is when has Nintendo EVER done that with Mario games?
@SNES64DD I’m not sure if you’re agreeing with me or not. But here’s something to remember. The Wii was popular in it’s time so Nintendo released ports of SM64, LoZOoT, and Majora’s Mask to it’s virtual console line. In terms of legacy the N64 was two consoles behind the Wii. Today the gamecube is three consoles behind the Switch if you count the WiiU. And the Switch is also doing well. So if you went by the same logic of the Wii’s virtual console I would say that it isn’t impossible to just put out direct ports instead of remastering everything. Nostalgia is cool and all but why waste resources remastering those games when you can make sequels to then with much more content and just port the older ones to the console so people can play them before the sequels.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Sunshine and I would love a remake for it in HD but if it was the exact same game with just better graphics then I wouldn’t pay $60 for it. Graphics never mattered that much to me and it’s never been a selling point for Nintendo either as far as I know
@Kriven
True. I really want a Mario 64 remake looking like it did in ODYSSEY. For a millisecond I thought it might have actually been and unlock when I finished ODYSSEY, lol! Give me OCARINA OF TIME updated as well. The 3DS one was okay, but I want something like the WiiU tech demo from 2012!
@Sean161 depends. If you use it it's worth it, if not then it's not. If you don't play online or will play the NES games then it's not worth it.
@AlienX when it expires the switch will be yesterday’s news
@Priceless_Spork isn’t Atari 2600 8 bit?
@Savino if you don’t play online,don’t pay for a service that lets you play online. Got it.
@Ooyah why lie or spread misinformation? If you don’t like the service fine,but don’t tell others things about it that are untrue
@rxchrisg
lol What a silly over-reaction. Sigh. I was mistaken in my original assumption, which was then kindly rectified by a future post. But I honestly believed that to be the case, because I had never been able to play any NES games offline. Go and read my second post in this thread. Gosh. I like the online service, particularly the cloud saves.
@rxchrisg Maybe, maybe not. Nintendo has full control, imagine if they do put SNES games on the service, they could take the NES games away to focus the attention on the SNES offerings.
It would suck, but I wouldn't put it past Nintendo.
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