Nintendo's recent Direct event brought with it a lot of announcements that fans were somewhat expecting, and even more that proved to be pleasant surprises. One of the biggest reveals that Nintendo had for the presentation was the introduction of Nintendo 64 games to the Switch Online service. While it is part of an expansion for the service that will have a separate cost from the base subscription, many fans are just excited to have access to classic games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on a modern console. It's a huge upgrade to Nintendo Switch Online, and it's already got fans begging to know more.
As exciting as this expansion of Nintendo Switch Online is, it poses some questions about the future of the service. Nintendo hasn't provided full details on how its expansion model will work for N64 games, but it's likely indicative of the cost required to bring them to the Switch. Looking at Nintendo's pattern of adding classic games from consoles, it only makes sense that it will eventually add GameCube and Wii games, but the best way to do that might not be through Switch Online. In order to bring GameCube and Wii games to the Switch with minimal issues, the best option might be to bring back Virtual Console.
Keeping Nintendo Switch Online Simple
Nintendo Switch Online has been a pretty cut and dry service ever since Nintendo introduced it a few years ago. It gives players access to online play, cloud saving, and a suite of classic games for a monthly subscription fee. Now that N64 games are coming, however, Nintendo is introducing a new subscription option separate from the others. While having one extra option for Switch Online should be manageable, it could get confusing if Nintendo tries to introduce a new option every time a classic console gets added in the future.
Virtual Console would help streamline things by providing a dedicated space for newer consoles. Instead of making gamers frustrated over a dozen different subscription models, Nintendo could just provide two separate spaces where they can choose the best classic console option for them.
Giving Players More Choice Over What They Pay For
Virtual Console has the opportunity to help with one of the common complaints that Switch Online has received over the years. In regards to the service's NES and SNES titles, there are some gamers that have complained about having to pay for games they wouldn't have otherwise paid for if they had a choice. Virtual Console could rectify this by giving gamers the option to pay for individual games that they know they'll enjoy, instead of paying for two dozen games when they'll barely touch half of them. And if playing GameCube or Wii games costs extra every year like N64 titles, it could be more cost effective for those that only have a select few games they wish to purchase.
The Potential Of Expanding Virtual Console
Virtual Console was one of the most popular features of the Wii and Wii U when those consoles were at their peak, and it has the chance to come back in a big way on the Switch. The games on Virtual Console were more or less presented exactly as they were when they were released, with little to no graphical improvements or changes of any kind. If Nintendo Switch Online has shown anything, however, it's that classic games are capable of expanding decades after they've launched.
One of the biggest announcements regarding the addition of N64 games is that online play will be supported. This is a huge step up from the couch co-op that was supported in the console's era, and there's no reason why the same effort couldn't be put into Virtual Console. While a Switch Online subscription would likely still be required, the prospect of playing games like Super Smash Bros. Melee or Mario Kart Wii with modern online services could be a game changer for Nintendo.
Bringing Nintendo 64 games to the Nintendo Switch is something that fans have been requesting for a very long time now. The Switch is quickly becoming a must-have console for retro game fans, and there's still room for other consoles to be added from here. There's no telling exactly if or when Nintendo will bring GameCube and Wii titles to the Switch, but it will be interesting to see how it goes about doing it if it does happen.