Switch Online's N64 Update Is Live (Version 2.7.0), Here's What's Included

something something stability joke.

For those who have been disappointed with F-Zero X since it was released due to poor framerate, this title now is not perfect but MUCH improved. Finally playable in my opinion.

I wonder if there will be some Day a FPGA System that supports the N64.

It is crazy that a System can't be emulated for Decades, even by its own Manufactor.

@Azuris The Wii Virtual Console did N64 alright though.

Good that they keep updating/making changes.

I am surprised it was released in this condition given it's Nintendo. Their quality control is normally top notch and this falls well below it. The input lag on Mario Golf when it came out made it very hard to play, although weirdly it improves in handheld. Other games have more issues. This just isn't typical Nintendo. My year's up at the end of the month and I'll be going back to normal Switch online. Price of the expansion isn't bad, just not good enough performance wise. Bit of a shame.

Never bothered subscribing as think it’s a waste of money , if I want to play retro I’ll get my old machines out. Switch online is a joke

@Vonsparrow Well enjoy your blurry 20fps Pilotwings 64 then.

I’d like to see some more graphic filters for the new and snes emulation added.

Dumb question, just started using the n64 expansion pack and having a blast. Is there a possibility that as soon as the servers go down on the nintendo switch that we will be able to keep the games or download them permanently for a small fee? Would be a real bummer to loose all my save files and feels a little wasted

@Ensemen welcome to software as a service where you don’t own anything. Your access only exists as long as they offer the service and pay the fees. It’s a okay deal (becoming less so as everyone jacks up fees) for the most part unless you are a collector or believe in things like ownership and first sale doctrine.

I doubt they will offer unplugged access. Hackers may break the check, but Nintendo will expect you to continue the sub on the next console.

@mereel finally! Maybe it's time to get into it again.

Have they added a 'customise controller buttons' option yet? I haven't checked in months.

LuigiBlood is correct, Nintendo's N64 emulator isn't very good at matching the bottlenecks of the N64 hardware and often runs at the wrong speed.

This is why Mario starts talking before the music finishes in the credits to Mario Kart 64, because there's no slowdown in certain parts where the camera is zoomed right out like there is on real hardware.

I'd be willing to bet it's the same for the end credits to Ocarina of Time, there's probably no slow down when all the NPCs are dancing around the fire meaning the visuals end before the music.

@Ensemen No. However, this won’t be a concern for a few years at least. NSO is here to stay.

@Darknyht Honestly, if the service continues onto other consoles I am not bothered by it. If the servers go down however in a few years because of a Switch 2.0, that would kind of suck.I just feel they should offer the possibility to download the games onto the console when the servers go down, I would also be willing to pay an extra fee.

You know, they’ll get my money as soon as I feel it’s worth it, and they’re still not at that point

@Azuris

It’s the complicated architecture.

Same thing hurts the Saturn emulation scene.

Both the N64 and Saturn were insanely complex machines compared to the PS1, which was much more simple and straightforward in comparison.

@Serpenterror IIRC, during the VC era, each games had their own iteration of the emulator, so the emulator was built and optimized only for that game. Whereas the N64 online, is built to run multiple games differently. Much more complicated.

@poudigne exactly this. Every N64 game can have their own custom microcode, which makes a one size fits all emulator solution a nightmare especially if the documentation on that microcode wasn't great which seems to be the norm.

In before, "but it's Nintendo, they can't do anything wrong!" LOL. Please, their emulators have been way behind in terms of accuracy.

The Switch Online N64 emulator doesn't win any awards, but it works just well enough to be worth it for the mere convenience of not having to do it through other, more legally murky emulators or dig out a dusty old cartridge or, god forbid, spend a fortune on some decades- old games you just wanted to check out for fun ...Well, that's my opinion of it, anyway. It's just barely cheap enough for me who is a big fan of the good ol' 64- bit console.

Could do without the painfully slow drip feeding, though. Nostalgia or not and despite them still being timeless classics and very fun today, these are still very old, very crusty games, Nintendo ...It's not the second coming of Christ every time a single one drops each month. Again, though, just my own thoughts.

@Ensemen
Sadly theres no way to buy the games currently (and i dont feel too optimistic about it every happening)

Its the main reason im not keen on the NSO when compared to the Virtual console, i don't like having access to the games and saves dependant on an online service.

It bugs me that we cant buy the games on their own like we can with DLC or like with gamepass (i don't really play xbox but i do respect how they are handling their legacy content vs Sony and Nintendo, the fact that i could buy a series X and still download the same copy of banjo kazooie i bought over a decade ago on 360)

@Ensemen I participate, but it is still rent seeking. The only ones that seem to be even more evil with this model is book publishers and how they treat libraries.

I try to see it mostly as a value add to other services I am purchasing, but I am done repurchasing Super Mario Bros for the umpteenth time. This is the one thing that Microsoft seems to be getting right, in that once you purchase it they want it to be available to play on every console you own after that (if you care to install it).

The sad thing is, it appears Nintendo doesn't bother to go into their vaults, and get the documentation for their retro hardware, assuming they actually do keep hardware documentation.

And now to play pilotwings 64 until mario party comes out next month, but my membership ends next month which sucks