Op-Ed: Still No Word on Nintendo Switch's Virtual Console and That's OK

It’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Nintendo Switch has been a success. The new hybrid console was birthed with the accompaniment of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, strong indie support, and an April release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (now the fastest selling Mario Kart of all time). Being able to conveniently take these experiences on the go has become the ultimate selling point for the console.

Nintendo’s recent E3 Spotlight kept its promise of bringing a strong line-up of titles to the year one of Nintendo Switch. Fresh IP like ARMS and Splatoon 2 are giving us Summer hits to look forward to. Fall will keep us busy with Mario +.Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, Pokken Tournament DX, and Super Mario Odyssey. Even big third party support is on the way with Fifa 18, Skyrim.

However, the question still remains, where are our Virtual Console games? Not a single announcement was made about the treasure trove of classic titles that the Big N has stowed away. One would think it would be a no brainer to unleash them to the masses of hardcore Nintendo fans.

But that’s just the thing. Hardcore Nintendo fans are the consumers who’ve purchased a majority of Nintendo’s latest consoles. The Wii, Wii U, and 3DS family all provide Nintendo fans with a wide array of classic titles to purchase. Many of those hardcore fans (including myself), have bought them countless times due to the lack of cross-buy on any of the platforms.

We’re looking at a Nintendo that is focused on the now rather than the past, and the now is Nintendo Switch software. Nintendo needs to continue to appeal to the Switch owners who are purchasing their first Nintendo console, those who are returning from their Nintendo hiatus, and their investors. Focusing on what Nintendo has been successful with in 2017 is crucial for them to keep their new audiences engaged.

Nintendo’s E3 Spotlight also announced Kirby and Yoshi titles coming to Switch in early 2018. These titles look promising in scratching the classic platforming we’re used to in nostalgic Virtual Console titles. New online services from Nintendo release in 2018, as well. Maybe we will see revamped versions of Kirby’s Dream Land and Yoshi (NES) with added online features to support the release of their successors.

Virtual Console is coming to Nintendo Switch. It’s inevitable. For now, Nintendo needs to stay strong with the fresh line-up it’s bringing in 2017, and into early 2018. Focusing on a fresh line-up of software will pay-off for Nintendo in the long-term, and when the time is right we will see our beloved Virtual Console titles arrive on Nintendo Switch.

Thanks for reading - Joe Burcin - @joeburcin - joeburcin@gmail.com