Virtual Console as a separate digital service where you only have to pay one time for a VC game and be able to access it on every new nintendo system that ever comes out forever would kind of be way too good to be true. There will probably be a fee and I wont be shocked at all
That is not way too good to be true. THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES SENSE. That is what Steam is. That is what any other digital media content management system is outside of the strangely outdated practices on consoles.
I would even argue it would be long term good for business. It would incentivize hardware upgrades. It would smoothen generational transitions. It would lock down the userbase to your ecosystem. It would remove the huge aversion I have for buying anything digital on Nintendo when I don't have any qualms about buying on Steam or Google play.
Right now Nintendo has to basically win over every single new user from scratch every time they launch a new system. Heck, even in generation upgrades are painful sometimes.
They don't have to make your entire library available all at once, but once a game is available and compatible, you shouldn't have to rebuy it or upgrade it if it's the same exact game. People like collecting things, especially classic things. An ever growing library of Nintendo classics is a dream for many people.
With it's current practices, Nintendo is not realizing the potential of it's amazing library. The VC becomes something risky and unappealing because you don't know what the hell you are buying. Instead, it should be an asset.
Consumers now have certain expectations about how digital content works. You think the average person would gladly pay for digital games on steam when they get a new computer? You think non gamers don't expect their paid apps to transfer to their next generation phones that share the same operating system and digital storefront. Nintendo burning their biggest fans during generational transitions is a horrible business practice.
Maybe! Especially if you already bought all of its PS3 DLC that the PS4 version came with, as well. Sony has definitely been behind MS in terms of helping players enjoy their PS3 libraries on their current systems, though I do think
Digital Foundry showed the amount of work and care that went into getting it running on PS4 (comparatively, MK8D's engine has zero new textures or other visual upgrades beyond the resolution bump). Plus, it's gotten PS4 Pro upgrades.
This is a whole 'nother rabbit-hole argument over the value of LOU Remastered, though, but a good reminder that it's currently
only $17 USD at Amazon right now.
To me, remasters and upgraded ports are a separate question. When it's the same exact game, there is no "upgrade".
I mean there is some work to port them to any new platform. An upgrade fee is not unreasonable
Virtual Console games are not really ports.
Here's an upgrade fee system I could tolerate.
Have a clear way to see all my digital content tied to my account on all platforms and on a browser or mobile app.
The steam library equivalent. Maybe my Nintendo 64 VC games are unavailable to play on my 3DS, but I can still clearly see they are tied to my account. Maybe the Nintendo 64 games that I bought on WiiU required some tweeking to run on Switch, but I can still see that the game is tied to my account and requires an upgrade fee to add Switch compatibility. If I pay the upgrade fee, then I can play it on both Switch and WiiU and I can see what is tied to my account.
The problem is that now there is no clear strategy or expectations. Every single purchase is a risk. If I buy physical, I can keep it or resell it. If I buy digital on steam I know the game will be tied to my account 'forever', even if future hardware becomes incompatible it's still tied to my account. I could buy compatible hardware and play it.
