In a new press release from Nintendo, the company has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch will not have any Virtual Console titles at launch.
While there have been rumors of a Gamecube Virtual Console being available at launch for the hybrid console, it seems as if we’ll have to wait until after launch to see what Nintendo will offer.
Along with this, Nintendo has also confirmed that the Nintendo Switch will link with the Wii U and 3DS using the Nintendo Account system, and share eShop balances between the three systems.
Nintendo Switch launches March 3rd for 299.99$.
Kengofu
February 23, 2017 at 9:59 amDigging the new design.
Jay
February 23, 2017 at 10:14 amI really hope that it does not tie the games to the console, but ties it to your account. This just sounds like Nintendo may not be fixing up their whole account architecture.
Mr0303
February 23, 2017 at 10:19 amThey want to push the new games, which makes sense, but this launch still feels a bit rushed. They could’ve waited a couple of months, but I guess they wanted to fill in the Wii U gap as soon as possible.
acidthorn
February 23, 2017 at 10:21 amWill probably be the latter, considering the 3DS (and maybe the WiiU?) ties your content to your system. A mix of both seems excessive and unneeded. Then again, we are talking about Nintendo here…
Matthew Sigler • Post Author •
February 23, 2017 at 10:21 amApparently this isn’t the case.
Uncle Ocelot
February 23, 2017 at 11:09 amI think it was confirmed that downloads would be tied to your account, can’t remember where though.
Maelstrom
February 23, 2017 at 12:22 pmIt’s much cleaner, but it’s less compact, which I rather liked about the original.
DariusQ
February 23, 2017 at 12:32 pmThey’re pushing the system out so that the launch numbers will count towards their current fiscal year. That way they can report stellar sales at the next shareholder conference.
Mr0303
February 23, 2017 at 1:07 pmGood point. That is another valid reason.
Cy
February 23, 2017 at 1:17 pmLol. This console is a mess.
catazxy
February 23, 2017 at 1:27 pmReleasing the system now will allow them to manage the hardcore nintendo fans sales, and they can prepare for the next wave, in december when most casuals jump in. Nintendo can’t handle both demographics at the same time, they can barely handle half, when it comes to hardware, they always behind the demand numbers.
Feniks
February 23, 2017 at 1:32 pmSame reason why games ship broken now.
And let’s face it: most gamers don’t care. Fixing bugs doesn’t relate to more sales.
totenglocke
February 23, 2017 at 1:32 pmAlso, this way the die hard fans buy it up now and don’t hog all of the sales at Christmas.
totenglocke
February 23, 2017 at 1:33 pmReggie said that they have the ABILITY to do that, but never flat out confirmed that it’s what they’re doing.
totenglocke
February 23, 2017 at 1:34 pmMy only criticism is having to scroll past a list of videos to get to the articles. Maybe make the video list scroll sideways? Looks great and is much more mobile friendly!
Lucky
February 23, 2017 at 1:35 pmI really don’t like how that D-Pad looks. And Nintendo used to make the best D-Pads.
Matz
February 23, 2017 at 2:03 pmMy only complain, specially when browsing with a phone, you need to scroll a lot more just to get to the news, everything else is fine
Matz
February 23, 2017 at 2:07 pmI don’t really care for the Virtual Console, if I’m buying a Switch it will be for the new games that are coming for the console, no because I can play an old SNES game that I can play in almost everything else, another story would be if they were to put Game Cube and even Wii games with some small changes like the PS2 Classics on PS4
Maelstrom
February 23, 2017 at 4:30 pmMaybe having the videos as a sidebar? It just clutters up the home page, and I couldn’t’ care less about them.
Shin Megami Tensei
February 23, 2017 at 5:04 pmhttp://www.tomsguide.com/us/nintendo-switch-review-roundup,news-24530.html <—look at this guys
Malcolm_Ecks
February 23, 2017 at 5:35 pmI think Nintendo relying on die hard fans is a gamble. Considering every Nintendo home console(barring the Wii) sold less than its predecessor. How many die hard Nintendo fans left are wanting this console? Almost half as many people bought the Wii U compared to the Gamecube.
My point is, Nintendo isn’t in an endless supply of hardcore fans that will buy their home console.
acidthorn
February 23, 2017 at 5:39 pmFixing bugs doesn’t relate to more sales because the game will forever have the reputation of being a piece of shit, post-launch fixes be damned.
tyren02
February 23, 2017 at 6:16 pmIt’s the way it is because in order for each joycon to function as a separate controller, the left one has to have buttons that can function identically to ABXY. The D-pad on the pro controller looks just fine. It’d be nice to have the option to get a left joycon with a proper D-pad though.
Himegami Aisa
February 23, 2017 at 6:37 pmNintendo had to find a way to shoehorn gimmicks in to the detriment of the system somehow.
totenglocke
February 23, 2017 at 7:16 pmThey still have a few million people who will always buy a Nintendo system for Zelda, Mario, etc. The two million units slated for the first month will sell just fine, which gets the ball rolling and is two million fewer people fighting for a system at Christmas.
Donwel
February 23, 2017 at 7:27 pmWell they’d be fucking retarded not to.
Then again this in Nintendo we’re talking about so…
larverto365
February 23, 2017 at 7:30 pmThey need to put better rewards on that My Nintendo thing.
Also, nice layout!
Donwel
February 23, 2017 at 7:30 pmDidn’t they say GC games would be coming at some point?
Don’t quote me on that btw. I’m sure I remember reading it somewhere though.
Malcolm_Ecks
February 23, 2017 at 7:52 pmI think that few million people may not be enough to make the Switch successful. The hardcore Nintendo fan number has decreased significantly over the years. We can’t even get a Metroid or StarFox game proper anymore.
If it sells 2 million as quickly as you say I’d be impressed given how slow the Wii U sold with a much stronger launch line of than the Switch has. And with the artificial shortages Nintendo has been doing since the Wii.
Sega had a few million fans who bought their consoles too, but it comes to a point where you have to ask, how many Switches need to seel to make it profitable. Because as much of a seller as Zelda is, its one game. And pre-E3 we don’t have any known exclusive releases to look forward to outside of whenever Super Mario Odyssey decides to drop.
gwadahunter2222
February 23, 2017 at 8:19 pmknowing Nintendo announced the games you buy into the e-shop can be downloaded into only one console even if they are tied to your account expect Nintendo being Nintendo.
Feniks
February 23, 2017 at 8:52 pmTrue, if you don’t make your money in the first few months you never will.
Malcolm_Ecks
February 23, 2017 at 8:59 pmIts like a Frantenstein Monster that’s even less complete.
OldPalpy
February 23, 2017 at 9:15 pmNintendo pioneered the d-pad but have had a long holy war against it since 2001, this started with the Gamecube and somehow managed to get worse over time, the Wii and DS had that awful gummy d-pad, the 3DS had a more solid feel but you’ll get a cramp using it thanks to it’s shit placement. Now we get the the button d-pad can it get any worse?
tyren02
February 23, 2017 at 11:07 pmWith the Gamecube? I never had a problem with the Gamecube’s D-pad. On the other hand, the N64’s was never used because the controller was designed to be impossible to hold so that both the D-pad and the analog stick were in easy reach.
Brandon Orselli
February 24, 2017 at 12:10 amWe actually reduced the number of posts for videos on mobile (to only one now) so you scroll a lot less. We’re debating on how to make the videos fit more on both desktop and mobile, fwiw
Brandon Orselli
February 24, 2017 at 12:10 amthank you! <3
scemar
February 24, 2017 at 12:36 amfew games, big lack of features, many issues
the switch’s launch already looks terrible
however it’s not the end of the world for the system because this is not an important season for videogame sales anyway, the switch’s real test will be the 2017 holiday season
if they have managed to improve their games catalog, added the missing features and ironed all the issues by then, when mario Odyssey comes out, they’ll actually have a strong product to offer for the consumers
OldPalpy
February 24, 2017 at 1:53 amYeah it goes without saying that the N64 controller was a clustfuck I hated every aspect of it. The Gamecube’s probably seems tame in comparison to their later d-pads but it stiff tiny with barely any travel like a really bad version of the GBA’s.
OldPalpy
February 24, 2017 at 2:32 amThe narrative set at launch is very important for Nintendo as they struggle to break free from it if it’s a bad one, the Wii U was a big example of this they never broke free from it and will likely keep haunting them, the 3DS did after they focused less on 3D and put out new models with slightly better battery life. Microsoft and Sony have a interesting dynamic now where if one fucks up at launch the other will eat their audience up and control a lion’s share of the market for the renaming cycle, Nintendo currently has no way to play into this dynamic and that’s makes them very vulnerable on the console front so it’s no surprise they went this console/handheld hybrid route rather than trying to suicidally directly challenge them.
Odyssey won’t be the big mainstream draw that they need, 2D NSMBW told tons more Wiis than 3D Galaxy. I’m shocked they still haven’t announced Mario Maker for it especially after the gimped 3DS port that looked like it was deliberately fucked up to create a demand for a perfect portable version.
Kessek
February 24, 2017 at 3:48 amDead in the water.
Kessek
February 24, 2017 at 3:49 amNintendo should just stick to Gameboys.
Shinoji
February 25, 2017 at 5:21 pmEh, fine by me. VC was more of a novelty for me, since I usually either emulate on my PC or play the original game on the original system.
Glad about the eShop balances being shared, though. Even though it’s not that exciting.
Ruggarell
February 26, 2017 at 1:34 amWhat a shit console I hope it flops like it deserves.