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Do you think the Switch Virtual Console delay is artificial?

I want to hope it's because they're changing the model to a subscription based service that launches will the full online deal, but it's more likely they're waiting until they're done pushing classic consoles whereby the content would overlap with the VC.
 
I think they will have VC available with the new online setup in the spring, as they can then generate a lot of coverage around it and use it to plug any potential month that doesn't have a tentpole game release.

To answer the OP, yes, it's artificial, of course they could have flooded the eshop with NES and SNES games if they wanted to, but with more stock of the classic consoles coming and plenty of new indies that benefit from room to breathe in the opening year, why would they? It seems more tied to their 'curation' idea in the launch window where they want the focus to be on as many new titles as possible, not just stuff people have already played. I'm sure we'll see VC in one form or another next year.
 
I think so. Shame really as I know it's a much desired feature/service. Nintendo probably would have had £300 of my hard earned cash if it was available at launch.
 
kc44135 said:
Oh yeah, I forgot about Arcade Archives. Yeah, doesn't make sense for Nintendo to re-release Arcade versions of NES games if there's a VC on the way.
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We have Nintendo releasing the NES Metroid when Zero Mission is on the eShop for two bucks more and has that very same game also included. With Nintendo, you never know.
DiamondDog74 said:
I remember the presentation for Wii U where GameCube was announced for virtual console. I waited forever. When I get my switch, I'm just going to do my best to stay away from whatever vc service they start. Usually disappoints
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This never happened...
 
My theory is that they delayed not just VC but their whole online subscription program because of their Classic systems. Old games with added online multiplayer are supposed to be a part of that program, and having that now would interfere with their current strategy. I mean, it's entirely possible that the emulation machines (Classic consoles) are only a thing because Nintendo wanted to create a sort of nostalgic hype for their old games. I imagine they didn't believe the systems would be quite as popular as they are. Maybe they were counting on gamers looking at the systems, thinking "I want this, but it's a bit expensive and the selection is limited" and later going nuts over the offerings on Switch.
 
It's sad if Nintendo really isn't continuing VC. The Switch would be the perfect experience for those games.
 
You know what? I don't think we'd be getting these great indie sales if we had a virtual console.

I know what Nintendo fans are like, because I am one.

I bought Streamworld Dig, but I just know that if it was available, I would have bought Super Metroid for the 4th time instead.

A virtual console would have already taken thousands and thousands of potential sales away from the indie lineup and games like Golf Story wouldn't have the same level of success.

A lack of virtual console has only been good for developers and the sale of new games.
 
Of course it is. They can keep milking their fanbase with those mini consoles and the same fans will rebuy the games on VC when the novelty of the micro consoles has worn off.
Heck, the fans probably already bought the same VC games several times because of the lacking real account system.
 
nampad said:
Of course it is. They can keep milking their fanbase with those mini consoles and the same fans will rebuy the games on VC when the novelty of the micro consoles has worn off.
Heck, the fans probably already bought the same VC games several times because of the lacking real account system.
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Calm down, dude.
 
They’re not struggling to get 25+ year old games running on the Switch.

It is artificial, for whatever reason we don’t know. Most likely waiting for the Switch online service, potentially avoiding cannibalising the Classic hardware line, who knows.
 
TheMagician said:
You know what? I don't think we'd be getting these great indie sales if we had a virtual console.

I know what Nintendo fans are like, because I am one.

I bought Streamworld Dig, but I just know that if it was available, I would have bought Super Metroid for the 4th time instead.

A virtual console would have already taken thousands and thousands of potential sales away from the indie lineup and games like Golf Story wouldn't have the same level of success.

A lack of virtual console has only been good for developers and the sale of new games.
Click to expand...

This is an interesting take. And I wonder if it's a reason Nintendo is delaying VC... The success of indies and third parties on Switch is a big deal for the overall long-term success of the system (and has chronically been a problem on Nintendo systems). Sacrificing VC to help with the "only Nintendo games sell great on Nintendo consoles" issue seems worth it.
 
I don't understand why people are still holding out for a Virtual Console. The Classic line; the (twice) announced intentions regarding online services; Seiken Densestu Collection; Hamster's Arcade Archives line including Nintendo IP...

It's not happening!

Old games will make there way to Switch, but not in a VC style ecosystem,
and good riddance!
 
Seeing how all the games released on the SNES classic are to be expected for virtual counsel release? I think it’s pretty obvious it was delayed to let that product sell
 
zenspider said:
I don't understand why people are still holding out for a Virtual Console. The Classic line; the (twice) announced intentions regarding online services; Seiken Densestu Collection; Hamster's Arcade Archives line including Nintendo IP...

It's not happening!

Old games will make there way to Switch, but not in a VC style ecosystem,
and good riddance!
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Huh?
 
Why sell overpriced ROM’s on switch when people will buy a collection of them tied to a mini console for over a hundred euro!

(It sucks)
 
Alligatorjandro said:
I think they’ll use the Classic machines for VC from now on. Would be surprised if we got bc games on switch.
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I’m going to puke if this is true.
I have more SNES games on my 3DS than the Mini Snes. Nintendo would lose a lot of money.

And aren’t people running out of hdmi ports too?
 
TheMagician said:
You know what? I don't think we'd be getting these great indie sales if we had a virtual console.

I know what Nintendo fans are like, because I am one.

I bought Streamworld Dig, but I just know that if it was available, I would have bought Super Metroid for the 4th time instead.

A virtual console would have already taken thousands and thousands of potential sales away from the indie lineup and games like Golf Story wouldn't have the same level of success.

A lack of virtual console has only been good for developers and the sale of new games.
Click to expand...

I don't think I follow. There's a ton of games on psn (some classics too) and steam, and we get a lot of sales. I don't think that more games = less digital sales.

Also, you can't play a snes classic on the go. That's the reason people love Switch, and its screen and joycon is a much better experience than 3ds imho.
 
Hermii said:
Yea Im starting to think its not coming at all, and mini consoles is the new virtual console.
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I mean, I'm not sure why anyone would think differently. The writing is obviously on the wall. VC is dead. R.I.P. VC.
Vuci said:
I’m going to puke if this is true.
I have more SNES games on my 3DS than the Mini Snes. Nintendo would lose a lot of money.

And aren’t people running out of hdmi ports too?
Click to expand...

I feel you. I loved Virtual Console, I loved having tons of classic games all on a single device digitally, and I felt like it was a feature that added a lot of value to Nintendo's systems, even if it's execution wasn't always perfect. I'm sad that it's gone, and personally won't be buying these Classic Consoles or supporting Nintendo's decision to abandon VC for them. Not that that will change much, mind you, with these things selling like crazy. :(
 
nampad said:
Of course it is. They can keep milking their fanbase with those mini consoles and the same fans will rebuy the games on VC when the novelty of the micro consoles has worn off.
Heck, the fans probably already bought the same VC games several times because of the lacking real account system.
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So you invalidated your point already. I dont want a snes classic because I already have Super Mario World and Link to the Past on my Wii, Wii U and New 3DS, said no one ever.
 
I'm pretty upset about it. But Switch has plenty of great titles out now (Splatoon, Zelda, Sonic Mania) and Mario and Xenoblade coming this fall. I just want to play Earthbound on my Switch (not 3DS).
 
TheMagician said:
You know what? I don't think we'd be getting these great indie sales if we had a virtual console.

I know what Nintendo fans are like, because I am one.

I bought Streamworld Dig, but I just know that if it was available, I would have bought Super Metroid for the 4th time instead.

A virtual console would have already taken thousands and thousands of potential sales away from the indie lineup and games like Golf Story wouldn't have the same level of success.

A lack of virtual console has only been good for developers and the sale of new games.
Click to expand...

I agree with this 100 percent. But I also think VC is not coming, as I’ve said in many of these threads. I think Nintendo is trying something new, starting with the mini consoles. We’ll probably get a chance to purchase classic first party games, but it might be through re-worked versions with online play, compilations, or maybe HD re-releases for some of the 3D era games. I dunno. Just not seeing the robust retro libraries with lots of third party games coming to Switch anytime in thethe next few years.
 
kc44135 said:
I mean, I'm not sure why anyone would think differently. The writing is obviously on the wall. VC is dead. R.I.P. VC.


I feel you. I loved Virtual Console, I loved having tons of classic games all on a single device digitally, and I felt like it was a feature that added a lot of value to Nintendo's systems, even if it's execution wasn't always perfect. I'm sad that it's gone, and personally won't be buying these Classic Consoles or supporting Nintendo's decision to abandon VC for them. Not that that will change much, mind you, with these things selling like crazy. :(
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Can't help but feel you're overreacting here
 
I think the virtual console could just be classic games on the eshop. Does not have to be called virtual console.

Also, perhaps they are waiting on their 2018 paid plan, and bring classic games to that way, every month
 
Who knows. I'd like to think it'll come once the smoke clears from the mini consoles, but it's impossible to tell with Nintendo. They seem to defy logic at times.

TheMagician said:
I can just feel your anger and rage coming through because you're angry at Nintendo's success.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should go step away from the computer for a bit and go outside and take a deep breath.
 
I think people in here are overreacting. At some point Nintendo will find an avenue to release classic games from their previous systems on Switch. Will they call it Virtual Console? Maybe, maybe not. I do think part of it is getting their online subscription plan sorted out. The other part is so that they don't choke out 3rd parties. A lot of 3rd party games are doing really well on Switch. Most of the eshop top 15 best selling games are 3rd party. If the Switch had a big Virtual Console right now that top 15 would be full of a lot of Virtual Console titles.

The userbase is relatively small right now, so giving the early audiences attention towards 3rd parties isn't a bad idea. Next year, once the install base has grown more, they can start putting up classic games without choking out the 3rd parties like they would this year.
 
I would be completely okay without a VC on Switch.

Games on VC have always been a ripoff and paying extra to get them ported from the Wii to Wii U was even worse. They should have been priced at impulse buy rates such as 99¢ (NES) $1.99 (SNES) and $2.99 (N64) at best. I could use the current $7.99 SNES rate towards a more deserving indie developed game instead.
 
Yeah, I think it is. Just wait until early next year when tons of new units have been sold over Christmas, then just open the floodgates to those customers. Easy way to rake in cash in the early part of the year.
 
If Nintendo is going the subscription model I hope they do the Amazon Prime Video model instead of Netflix. I’d like the option to buy the game in addition to having a collection available simple due to the fact that things get delisted.
 
It makes no sense for them not to do a VC like service on Switch. The reason why so many people buy their indies on Switch is because of the nature of the system.
What good do me NES and SNES mini when I can have all of that stuff on my Switch, playing it wherever I want, bringing games with multiplayer like Super Mario Kart or Mario Party on a whole new level since I have that multiplayer with me when I want to, not even to speak of the possibility of Gamecube games.

They have an install base of what, more than 4 miillion by now and you tell me they don't want to charge those people for classic games on the go again in addition to the mini consoles? Why wouldn't they?
 
Wamb0wneD said:
It makes no sense for them not to do a VC like service on Switch. The reason why so many people buy their indies on Switch is because of the nature of the system.
What good do me NES and SNES mini when I can have all of that stuff on my Switch, playing it wherever I want, bringing games with multiplayer like Super Mario Kart or Mario Party on a whole new level since I have that multiplayer with me when I want to, not even to speak of the possibility of Gamecube games.

They have an install base of what, more than 4 miillion by now and you tell me they don't want to charge those people for classic games on the go again in addition to the mini consoles? Why wouldn't they?
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The amazing local multiplayer opportunities of Switch made VC into the most exciting feature for me before the system was released. Especially considering that they would eventually bring N64, PC Engine and other systems that didn’t make it to Nintendo hamdhelds before.

I’m still holding out hope that this won’t be tied to Mini consoles or a subscription service.

Imagine playing Star Fox 2 on Switch! Or Mario Kart 64..
 
It doesn't seem like Nintendo plans on "selling" these games again in the manner VC did. It seems they figured out they can make more money bundling these games than selling them separately.
 
Vuci said:
Let's hope Sony isn't thinking about releasing a PS1 mini.. rather than actually putting new PS1 games on PSN, or even having some sort of sale or adding PS4 compatibility.
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Oh God, I hope not. That would be the worst! I hate these mini Consoles already. Just let me buy the games I want, lol.
 
I suspect Nintendo is working on getting as many VC games up and running as possible for the Switch and sitting on them until theres a bit of a lull in releases so they can prevent having the dry spells the Wii U had between major releases.
 
TheMagician said:
You know what? I don't think we'd be getting these great indie sales if we had a virtual console.

I know what Nintendo fans are like, because I am one.

I bought Streamworld Dig, but I just know that if it was available, I would have bought Super Metroid for the 4th time instead.

A virtual console would have already taken thousands and thousands of potential sales away from the indie lineup and games like Golf Story wouldn't have the same level of success.

A lack of virtual console has only been good for developers and the sale of new games.
Click to expand...
This is something I've been thinkin about recently. Almost no doubt in my mind the weekly top 15 Switch games would be filled with old Nintendo games like Wii U and 3DS.
 
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