Is Link to the Past the link to the Virtual Console?
Last week was crazy with all the leaks, rumors, and news. A Best Buy employee leaks three games for the Switch: Persona 5, Metroid Prime Trilogy, and Link to The Past. On top of the leaks there was news from Nintendo Chinese leaflets stating that NES games would eventually stop being added to Nintendo Switch Online.
Also noted is the teeny tiny fine print: NES/Famicom games will stop being added to NSO after a certain period of time pic.twitter.com/ncKNHF0Cb9
— Akfamilyhome (@akfamilyhomeak) April 3, 2019
Could this point to the Virtual Console on the Switch?
If the Best Buy leaks are real and A Link to the Past is happening, I’m leaning toward it being an eshop card with a digital game code, not an HD remake. I know this isn’t a popular opinion because we would all like to see SNES games added to the online service. Games like Tetris 99 give me hope that will see more innovative games similar to it. Duck Hunt 99 would be great, and I’d love a Zapper that was compatible with the Switch. Games like NES Remix would also be a great addition. Nintendo Switch Online could be an excellent place for Nintendo to get creative with bite size classic titles. The SP titles are a small taste of what I would like to see, but there could be so much more. The creative minds at Nintendo could easily come up with titles that could make NSO feel like a great value if SNES game don’t end up becoming a reality.
If the Virtual Console ends up happening on the Switch the games need to be enhanced with online play. I’d pay a little extra to get more from these games cause most end up collecting dust in my digital library. Super Mario Kart with online multiplayer would be good but eight player online multiplayer would be next level. Maybe enhanced ports are the reason it has taken so long to get these classic games on the Swtich? N64 titles would really benefit from online play with so many of them being four player games out of the gate. Mario Kart 64 or Mario Party with online would be day one purchases for me, who am I kidding they will be regardless.
What Are Your Thoughts?
I know you have something to say about this so let me know in the comments below. I will be reading the comments on the next episode of the Nintendo Power Cast. Nintendo Power Cast.
With the 3DS eventually going away, the Switch should play literally everything, obviously DS touch screen games will be difficult to transfer over, but select ones could work. This is what the future should look like:
Platformer type games such as Yoshi’s Crafted World/DK Country/New Super Mario Bros U should be $49 and then the 3d and more popular games such as Mario Oddysey, Smash Bros, and Metroid Prime should be $59 like normal switch games.
With no SNES on Switch online, they could add games like Goldeneye 99 to make paying for online still worth it.
Redo the virtual console with as many games as possible and add online aspects to many of them. Prices could be:
NES/GBC/GBA games – $4.99-$9.99
SNES/DS games – $14.99
GC/Wii/3ds games $20-$29
Wii U ports – $30-$40
I would love to play these online! It would Give me a reason to double dip since the Virtual console on Wii U and I would love to play online with these amazing classics, I wonder if they will do a remaster of LTTP? I wouldn’t be unhappy if they did either of these.
With the 3ds’ life coming to an end its time to move virtual console over to the switch. My body is ready.
I like the idea of Nintendo adding SNES games to the virtual console. I am a firm believer that the Switch could, and should be, a one stop shop for any Nintendo game. It may take some time for Nintendo to port everything, but I think it would be worth it for both them and the gaming community in the end.
Comment for tonight’s show: “I’d love to just see a straight up remake of A Link the Past. I think it would be cool to see some of the original top down Zelda’s remade all having the art style of the new Link’s Awakening remake. People were getting heated up about the pricing of Link’s Awakening Remake, but it might be a safe bet that we see a package deal like, The first Zelda, Link’s Awakening, and a Link to the Past all for $60. Super Zelda All Stars basically. I’d prefer them all separate though.”
I’d love for virtual console to come to the Switch. The platform is perfect for it and with the 3DS phasing out and the Wii U already a forgotten relic (R.I.P. Wii U) it’s the next logical choice. Some kind of online multiplayer component to them would be very welcome. But i’m not sure how willing Nintendo is to tamper with SNES and N64 games. I would pay extra for those features to be implemented as many others would as well. That being said, everyone is itching for some kind of virtual console service on Switch beyond what is currently being offered with the NES games. There’s a lot of money on the table for Nintendo with the virtual console. I’m sure they’re working on some kind of solution whether it be something new or the old virtual console model of the previous generations.