Nintendo Switch Should Bring Back Virtual Console for GameCube and Wii Games
By
Joseph James Andress Jr.
Nintendo Switch Online is getting N64 games in the future, but Nintendo would be wise to bring back Virtual Console for other classic systems.
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.
RELATED: Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack Snubs Donkey Kong
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.
MORE: Original Super Smash Bros. Could Get New Life Through Switch Online
10 GameCube games we’d like to see hit Switch’s Virtual Console
The Switch has been out for a few weeks now, but one thing is still missing: Nintendo’s Virtual Console online store. So far, the company hasn’t said much except that we’ll hear more about it in the future.
After we’ve, you know, already bought the system.
But, we’ve heard rumors for months now about the possibility of GameCube titles coming to the system. And while we are all twiddling our thumbs waiting to find out if that’s true, I decided to put together a list of just which games the big N should consider reviving.
Get ready, because it’s time to cube dance.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Was this really a surprise? Super Smash Bros. Melee is still revered in certain circles as the crème de la crème of the Smash Bros. series. And even through it’s been a whopping 16 years since Melee’s release, the game still shows up at eSport tournaments across the country, alongside the more recent Wii U iteration of the brawler.
Anyways, Melee seems like a no brainer for Nintendo. Though, bringing the title to the Switch wouldn’t solve every problem: will GameCube controllers still be usable? The plot thickens.
But at least we’ll all get to play on Poke Floats again (seriously).
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Sunshine (Nintendo)
Mario’s tropical Isle Delfino adventure got a bad rap when it originally came out. In fact, I’m pretty sure I never beat the game, the only Mario in recent memory to hold that dubious distinction.
The biggest reason it makes this list is simple: Super Mario Sunshine is a game that warrants revisiting. And like much of the GameCube’s library, it’s currently locked to being played on either a GameCube or a Wii, so having it on something more modern would be nice.
Soul Calibur 2
Hey, remember that one time that Link was in Soul Calibur? Yup. Nintendo’s own hero of time jumped into the ring and threw down with the likes of Nightmare, Voldo, Cervantes and, well, Lizardman.
I have fond, nay, very fond memories of Soul Calibur 2, and it still might be one of my favorite fighting games.
Sony and Microsoft fans got Soul Calibur II HD in 2013, but Nintendo fans were left out, with the poor Wii U passed over completely.
So how to make up for that grievous oversight? Just give us the original game on the Switch. And yes, with Link still in it. Please and thank you.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (Silicon Knights)
M-rated Nintendo titles are few and far between, so it’s ironic that this one landed on the console with the lunch box handle. Eternal Darkness wasn’t just any M-rated horror game, either: with its (at the time innovative) in-game sanity meter, the game actually pulled some clever meta-pranks on the player.
Alas, the last time I played this game I was too little and got scared. Gulp. I want to be able to actually beat it this time. I’m old enough now. I think. Hopefully.
Life after Eternal Darkness hasn’t been great — that’s putting it lightly — for development studio Silicon Knights, and a proposed Kickstartered sequel hasn’t been successful, either.
But Nintendo keeps renewing the game’s trademark, so that’s something at least.
Phantasy Star Online Episode II & II
This is a wish list, right? So while we are wishing, we might as well be wishing for the sky. Or in this case, the stars.
I’m not going to lie, I actually booted up Phantasy Star Online with one of my friends last year for some weekend local co-op adventuring. I don’t think I ever got to actually play it online in its hey-day (I never had the adapter, and also had dial up, yeck), so why not fix that now? Nintendo has said they are going to be adding in online functionality to retro virtual-console games as part of their paid online system. Why not expand that to GameCube games, too?
Is it likely? Probably not. But it gives American Phantasy Star Online fans something else to do while they wait… and wait… and wait for Phantasy Star Online 2.
Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe (Clover Studio)
Clover’s Viewtiful Joe had style in spades: cell shaded, the game mixed together comic-book visuals with the world of movies.
I don’t seem to have my disc anymore (or maybe I rented or borrowed it?), just my copy of the sequel, but the original still sits on my replay list. True story: it’s actually on there not once, but twice. I just checked.
However, I wouldn’t recommend tweeting at director Hideki Kamiya to try to make this happen.
Gauntlet Dark Legacy
Oh Gauntlet. What happened to you? I seem to recall a DS version that never materialized — and there was the recent reboot I haven’t played yet — but Gauntlet Dark Legacy is another GameCube era title that I put lots of hours into and still hold fond memories of.
Gauntlet is also a local-multiplayer heavy game that seems like a match made in heaven for the Switch. It isn’t food that we need badly… it’s Gauntlet.
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Kart: Double Dash (Nintendo)
It may get a lot of hate, but I actually really enjoyed Mario Kart: Double Dash.
It not only includes one of the best race tracks in the entire history of the series (Hello Baby Park!), it also had cool characters like King Boo Petey Piranha and Paratroopa, and the special items were pretty neat, too.
It may not be everybody’s favorite, but it’s still a fun racing game, and come on: everybody knows two racers are better than one.
Star Fox Adventures
Well, if Double Dash wasn’t bad enough, let’s follow it with another controversial one. I’m not sitting here trying to say that Star Fox Adventures was the greatest Star Fox game — it wasn’t — but it’s another GameCube-era title that I’ve wanted to revisit for some time.
Mostly forgoing Fox’s flying space battle, Star Fox Adventures instead found the series turned into somewhat of a Zelda clone on an island inhabited by dinosaurs. It was also Rare’s (RIP) last title while at Nintendo, so it has that unique little history to go with it, as well.
And even though Rare isn’t with Nintendo anymore, we’ve still seen some of the company’s older titles pop up on the virtual console. Given Nintendo owns Star Fox, it seems likely this game would fall into that category, as well.
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (Lucasarts)
I’ve seen this one brought up already, and almost didn’t throw it on here because other people beat me to it. But I’m actually replaying Rogue Leader right now, so I figured I should probably put it on here either way.
There’s a caveat on this one, though: of everything on this list, this may be the least likely, sans maybe PSO. But Disney has pulled out some of its older Star Wars game, and just announced a retro Capcom collection, so who knows.
Oh, and there’s a bunch more
OK, so I’m going to cheat a bit. This last one is going to be a giant hodgepodge.
Turns out there’s a lot of other GameCube games that should be worth considering: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, you get the idea. People have also been mentioning Luigi’s Mansion, and then there are also the Pikmin games (though I’d argue the Wii re-releases are better ways to play them) to consider, too.
There’s also a bunch of games I never got to play but always wanted to: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean and Lost Kingdoms both come to mind.
Either way, I think I’ve made my point. It’s high time we party like it’s 2000 again with some GameCube games. Your move, Nintendo.
Eurogamer: Nintendo Switch will get a virtual console with GameCube games
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The editor of the Eurogamer portal, Tom Phillips , who was the first in the world to declassify the hybridity of the Nintendo Switch , reports with reference to his sources that the new console will not be left without the ability to run games from the classic systems Nintendo (On Wii , Wii U and 3DS this is called a «virtual console» — note GameMAG.
ru ) by purchasing them from the eShop .
A notable highlight will be support for Switch Virtual Console games with the Nintendo GameCube . A few years ago, it was rumored that Nintendo would do this on the Wii U, but officially this never happened.
Emily Rogers adds that her sources are positive about the Switch Virtual Console. The development of the virtual platform is called «a step in the right direction.»
«Nintendo has listened to the criticism of the Wii U emulation,» the journalist said.
A full Nintendo Switch showcase featuring games, features and launch date will be held on January 13, 2017 .
Read also : Wild Arms and Arc The Lad — Sony has announced the resurrection of two of its famous JRPG series.
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Data management | Wii | Support
The Wii console’s data management options allow you to organize and delete the data in the Wii system memory, SD memory cards, Nintendo GameCube memory cards, and specific channel memory.
Select the desired item from the list below.
How to access data management
- Power on a properly connected Wii console to enter the Wii Channels menu.
- Using the Wii Remote, hover over the Wii button in the lower left corner of the screen, and press the A button.
- From the Wii Main Menu on the System Settings screen, use the Wii Remote to hover over the Data Management option.
- Press button A to enter the data manager.
Managing Saved Data
Access the Data Management screen and select Save Data to organize certain types of data for the Wii console and Nintendo GameCube memory cards.
After selecting «Save Data», the following options will appear:
Working with Wii Saved Data
After entering the save data screen, select «Wii» to organize the console Wii and Nintendo GameCube memory cards.
View saved game data and available memory
Follow these steps to view saved game data.
- Enter the Wii Data Management screen.
- If any SD or Nintendo GameCube memory cards are inserted into the device, select the «Wii» tab at the top of the screen.
- This icon displays the saved Wii or Virtual Console game data that is currently in the Wii console’s system memory.
- The available system memory is displayed in the lower left corner as «Open Blocks:».
Deleting Saved Data
Follow the steps below to delete saved game data
- Enter the Wii Data Management screen.
- Select the file to be deleted.
- Select «Delete» to delete the file.
Attention! A deleted game file cannot be recovered. Make sure you really want to delete it, or even copy it to your SD card if necessary.
Format (Clear) Wii System Memory
This option is used to delete ALL channels and ALL saved data added to the Wii console memory.
The system memory will be completely clean, just like when you bought the product. Note that if you have an account with the Wii Store, you must first delete the corresponding data.
Follow the steps below to delete ALL channels and saved data.
- Enter the Wii system settings screen (how to).
- Double-tap the blue left arrow button to navigate to Wii System Settings 3 menu options.
- Select «Format Wii System Memory».
- If parental control is set, enter the PIN code.
- If you are sure you want to clear the Wii console’s system memory, select «Format».
Copying data to an SD card
Important note. To save data that is stored in the memory of the Wii console (such as saved games, messages, etc.), you must first connect the Wii console to the Internet and download a system update.
Follow the steps below to copy your Wii game save data.
Insert a compatible SD card into the SD card slot on the front of the Wii console below the disc drive.
- Enter the Wii Data Management screen.
- Select the file you want to save and then select «Copy».
- Select «Yes» for the «Copy to SD card» prompt.
Please note that Virtual Console games copied to an SD card and downloaded to another Wii console will not play unless previously downloaded from the Wii Purchase Channel to that Wii console.
Follow the steps below to save bulletin board data to an SD card.
- If the Wii console displays a message that there is no more room for new bulletin board data, insert a compatible SD card into the SD card slot on the front of the Wii console.
- Confirm that you want to save the data to the SD card.
- A certain number of the oldest messages will be saved to the SD card.
Note that if the SD card is not inserted after the memory full message is displayed, the oldest messages will be automatically deleted.
