thatawesomedude

The original manual for NES Super Mario Bros. called that fireball enemy "Podoboo". Super Mario Maker called it a "Lava Bubble"... I have no clue where that name you used is from.

It's pretty clear to me they don't have any VC plans, and the online service most likey WILL be its replacement. They're keeping the possibilty open, but it'll either never happen or only happen once 3DS is completely dead and will be very limited if it does. I think they're likely avoiding it because of double-dipping complications. In the meantime, they're going to continue the classic mini consoles to fill that void. Saying the online service isn't a replacement for VC should probably be taken the same way as when they said DS wasn't replacing GBA.

@Jeronan NeoGeo IS part of Virtual Console on the Wii Shop... If they planned to continue VC on Switch, why would NeoGeo games suddenly no longer count? And no, that monthly game idea was ultimately dropped (look it up). The final version will be multi-games online only... And even when the monthly game idea was still planned, Nintendo specifically avoided the using the term "Virtual Console", instead calling them "classics" exactly the same word they're using now to describe the games on the online service. Definitely not a coincidence. It's a pretty safe bet they specifically decided to ditch the old "Virtual Console" model for Switch, probably to avoid the issues that would arise from people already owning them on 3DS, Wii, and/or Wii U.

@Jeronan Um... even though E3 may be an American event, it still gets worldwide coverage and worldwide announcements ARE regularly made there. Also, launches of eShop content worldwide already has a history of going up during past E3s. Chances are indeed quite decent that the free version of the online service (which by all indications appears to be the Switch's replacement for the VC). If you're expecting a continuation of the lineup of downloadable emulated games, playable offline as the VC titles on previous systems, you're likely in for a disappointment. The very fact that NeoGeo games are already on the eShop without the "Virtual Console" label is a pretty clear confirmation that Nintendo isn't going that route for Switch. The online service IS the new VC-- based on everything we know, there's no reason to think otherwise.

I'd normally speculate that Pro Controller alternative would still communicate via Bluetooth and just simply be powered by USB... but since that Arcade controller is most likely fully wired and launching the same day, an upcoming update will likely enable USB controllers. Hopefully, it'll apply to other pre-existing USB controllers (or maybe even that Smash Bros. GameCube adapter for Wii U), though that's likely just wishful thinking on my part.

@Alikan I'm pretty confident you're going to be proven wrong (at least if your idea of what counts as "VC" is the same as Nintendo's). Nintendo has been cryptic about it so far-- suspiciously never using the term "Virtual Console" in reference to classic games on Switch (and allowing NeoGeo games on the Switch eShop without the "Virtual Console" label, which directly goes against their policy on the shops on previous systems). That means they're up to something-- mostly likely abandoning the current VC concept altogether for Switch. Whatever forms the "classic games" the subscription service will provide will be in, they won't be the unadulterated (whenever possible) emulations that VC were. For those, we'll have to rely on the 3DS and Classic Minis. If VC does ever eventually come to Switch, I wouldn't expect it until near the end of its life-cycle.

@Alikan I wouldn't count on that, since not only would that setup be impractical for any other use, all signs at this point to no VC for Switch in the foreseeable future-- they seem to be testing the market for emulated games via "Classic Mini" consoles for now. And considering the overwhelming success of the NES, I tend to think they'll likely stay that course.

@Tedikuma Perhaps if you used a USB-A to C adapter (that's essentially what the dock is in the first place), but even then, since the USB-C port is on the bottom on the system, you couldn't use it propped up in table-top mode and would have to awkwardly look down on it laying flat.

I'm not sure I get the assertion that "It doesn't seem like we'll ever get this feature with the current model of the Switch". The linked article contained nothing more than the fact that it currently doesn't support the feature. Why couldn't it still be enabled by a future update?

Any Nintendo product that doesn't specifically appeal to us, shouldn't be made at all!! Now, let's put everything under a microscope and find every reason imaginable to make them look crazy for daring to appeal to any audience but us! The fact that they make 2D versions of the hardware proves that 3D clearly wasn't the next big thing and we're going to ignore all the VR devices that have been springing up in recent years that suggest the opposite.

That's essentially what you guys are saying here. You're also embarrassing yourselves assuming the 3DS is DOA now that Switch has arrived. Are there not currently shortages of 3DS systems in stores? Clearly, they're still selling. As I recall, the NES stuck around another three years after the NES launched, and unlike 3DS, which offers plenty of exclusive features that Switch lacks, NES had pretty much nothing but established installed base and game library (which the 3DS also has).

Speaking of NES, the NES Classic Edition certainly wasn't needed-- My original NES still works, plus the games were all already available via Virtual Console to boot. It in no way appealed to me, yet it still appealed to plenty others and sold out faster than they could make them. See a pattern here? There's clearly a market for the New 2DS XL. No one's making you by one, so it's kinda ridiculous to write extensively scrutinizing their decision to make it.

@BulbasaurusRex The standard New 3DS was never exclusive to Japan. It was released alongside the XL in Europe and Australia as well. North America was the only place that didn't get it right away... but they've since had a few silent limited runs of it on and off since Fall of 2015.

@dkxcalibur No, I was not interested in the NES Classic.

@Pj1 They're not going to make a special announcement confirming SNES VC support for New 2DS XL, because they already did that by announcing its use of the "New" upgraded hardware. As, for VC on the Switch, all indications so far seem to be indicating they're abandoning it ("Virtual Console" by Nintendo's official definition has been original games from older systems that use emulation--- The fact that NeoGeo games appear on the Switch eShop without it the "VC" label pretty much confirms this, as up until now, it hasn't been optional). We're definitely going to get classic games on Switch in some form (likely modified Switch-specific ports adding online, etc.), but it looks like we'll have to rely on 3DS VC and NES (and likely upcoming SNES and N64) Classic systems for emulation of the originals.

@dkxcalibur You're forgetting about the SNES Virtual Console, those all require the "New" hardware (and that's a relatively new edition so it's going to only grow). Besides, it's easier for them moving on to only make the "New" hardware from this point on, just as it made sense for them to only make Wii Remote Pluses towards the end.

The reasoning behind it was pretty clear to me from the start. They introduced the original 2DS because there was a market for a less-expensive version more suitable for children. Now they're likely looking to phase out the non-"new" 3DS line, so it makes sense to make a "new" 2DS to replace it as long as the systems are still selling. I do agree it's probably overpriced, but that doesn't change the fact that there's a market for it. Those suggesting they should have just lowered the price of the New 3DS XL are missing the point-- it's meant to cater to a different audience.

@micronean By what logic are they removing any bells and whistles? They already previously offered the 2DS, and this is only ADDING all the "New" upgrades to it. You're kidding yourselves if you don't think Nintendo's going to keep the 3DS alive as long as possible. Switch will replace it eventually, but they're not going to immediately abandon it like with Wii U-- 3DS still sells and has enough features that Switch doesn't to merit keeping it around. Mark my words, it'll still be around all throughout 2018, and I wouldn't be shocked if lasts well into 2019.

Fairly realistic, but I just can't imagine Nintendo making a version without speakers.

@NintenNinja16 Just because it wouldn't be compatible with the current dock doesn't mean they still wouldn't make one specifically for the Mini and just sell it separate. Clearly, the idea is that it would be compatible with separate Joy-Cons, they just couldn't attach (and wouldn't need to). No features would actually be lost-- they'd just require separate purchases.

@westman98 This design definitely wouldn't be compatible with the current dock, but there's no reason to think if it's not bundled with its own specific dock, it won't be compatible with any dock at all. Remember the charging cradle that came with the original 3DS? The 3DS XL wasn't compatible with it and didn't come bundled with its own, yet Nintendo still made a special one for it exclusively sold separately. If they were willing to do that for a far less practical feature, they'd definitely do it for this one.

The description specifically says it would be dock compatible. Of course, it wouldn't be the right size or shape to work with the current dock, so it would have to be a specially designed one... (Clearly, Damien McFerran didn't catch on to that fact though, since he mistakenly claimed it would be ideal for households that already had a switch) Much like the charging cradle that came with the original 3DS, the 3DS XL wasn't compatible with it but Nintendo still made a special one sold separately, so this is very plausible.