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Nintendo Switch's Virtual Console Not Available at Launch

Nintendo promised to 'share more information in the future.'

David Craddock

February 23, 2017 2:35 PM

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Nintendo's Virtual Console service will not be available when Nintendo Switch launches next Friday, March 3. Virtual Console has been a staple of Nintendo systems since the Wii's release in November 2006. The eShop, however, will be online on day one.

"Virtual Console games will not be available on Nintendo Switch at launch. We will share more information in the future," Nintendo announced in a press release highlighting indie games such as Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Edition that will be available on March 3 on the eShop.

The Virtual Console joins a laundry list of features that Nintendo will not have ready for the Switch on release day. A Web browser and video streaming through Netflix and similar services will be switched (AHEM) on at a later date.

Rumors abound that Nintendo will add GameCube titles to the Virtual Console when it finally goes online, rounding out the deep catalog of NES, SNES, and N64 games that have bolstered the service for years.

Nintendo also announced—in a roundabout way—that users will not be able to share games across multiple consoles, although that feature may be addressed later too.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.