Nintendo is currently in the process of renewing the Virtual Console trademark which is standard procedure for companies. Many have been clamouring for the service’s return as they would like the option of purchasing the retro games that they want and having them on their account, rather than having them tied down to a membership which is currently the case with the Nintendo Classics range, which is part of the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Thanks to Edward B for sending in the news tip.
Hear me out…
They went from calling it Nintendo Switch Online — [Console/Handheld], to completely rebranding it to Nintendo Classics — [Console/Handheld]
Would that not be the easiest througline to offer the option to purchase games (maybe just 1st party ones at first?) on Switch and Switch 2?
Actually, now that I think about it, there would probably be like WAAAAYYY more 3rd party titles re-releases via NC if this was the case. It’d be infinitely easier for Nintendo to cut a deal saying something like, “We’ll give you X amount of money to have the game on the service, and you can keep a chunk of the profit for those that buy it outright”
I mean, it’s a big part of the reason we’ve seen so many collections on Switch instead of VC releases. I’m sure there are dozens and dozens of 3rd party games that would be too small to get dedicated remasters, or that wouldn’t sell well enough to justify a collection. Feels like a win-win situation for fans and companies. Not to mention, it’s free money for Nintendo with their 1st party titles, and they’d still be able to get people to sign up for NSO and get all the NC games for a yearly price.
By all accounts, it makes nothing but sense. Besides, how many people would pay like, $5 or $10 for Ocarina of Time? Would be a good money saver for those that only want a handful of games from NC rather than paying yearly.
I really do hope they bring it back as an option. It would be so cool… plus, it future-proofs these retro re-releases— a good chunk of which are the first and only time a lot have been re-released. Like Kirby Tilt ‘n Tumble or Mario Party 1 & 3!
Here’s hoping!!!!!
tldr
If only…
Sickr licks toilets
It’s interesting news, but for now it means more “legal room for maneuver” than a real promise that the Virtual Console eShop will return as we knew it.