The vast umbrella that is Nintendo has been around for a long time, with decades of history under its belt. Of course, where there’s history, there’s lost history, and there are many older titles and IPs which have been left to the wayside over the years. Fortunately, starting with the Wii, Nintendo came up with a nice solution to this problem in the form of the Virtual Console. Virtual Console allowed users to purchase classic titles that would otherwise be largely inaccessible and emulate them natively on their more modern hardware. It was a great system, which is why many lament its loss, as it did not return on the Nintendo Switch.
This sentiment is by no means uncommon, ever since the program went to the wayside in favor of Nintendo Switch Online’s library, people have been requesting its return. In an interview with IGN, Hideki Kamiya, the director of games such as Ōkami, Bayonetta, and Devil May Cry, was asked for his opinions on the Nintendo Switch 2. While he chose not to make any specific comments on the system itself or any plans for it, he mentioned one particular wish he has: “As a personal comment, I personally would love to see the Virtual Console rebooted. That’s something that I would really want to ask Nintendo for.”
To some it may seem strange to want Virtual Console to return when Nintendo Switch Online fulfills the same role, especially since it provides the titles for free, albeit off the back of an admittedly unpopular subscription service. The most notable drawback of NSO compared to VC is the requirement of an internet connection to function. Once the Nintendo Switch’s servers go offline one day, the entire NSO library will likewise be cut off across all systems. This is a big deal to many, who would much rather have the assurance of owning the games themselves and not have to worry about losing them someday.
Of course, while these are notable downsides, there are of course upsides with Nintendo Switch Online. Notably, online multiplayer was a game-changer for many entries such as Mario Party and Mario Kart. Likewise, the online nature of the system means that it can easily carry over to the next system, which is likely the main reason Virtual Console was replaced. Whether or not these trade-offs are worth it though depends on who you ask. Perhaps the best solution would be an in-between, where one could access the retro libraries as part of the online subscription while also having the option to purchase them individually for permanent ownership instead. Either way, it is at the very least nice that there is a way to experience Nintendo history even in the modern day!
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Written by Abbie Maxwell
Lifelong Nintendo fangirl, Abbie holds a special place in her heart for video games. She has always strived to provide tips and tricks to make the experiences of those who share her passions that much better.
