No Nintendo Switch Virtual Console? Users Clamor For A Subscription Service Instead

As Friday marks Day One of the Nintendo Switch era, Nintendo fans are questioning why the Virtual Console is not made available.

This question was posted last week, with Nintendo confirming that the Virtual Console will not be made available at launch, Kotaku reported. In a press release, Nintendo dashed fans’ hope of experiencing the company’s impressive slate of classic games that help tide the periods between big Switch releases.

“Virtual Console games will not be available on Nintendo Switch at launch. We will share more information in the future,” the press release read.

But Paul Tassi on Forbes said Nintendo could pick some pointers with Microsoft and convert its Virtual Console instead to a subscription service. He adds:

“What you need in order to offer a subscription service people want to pay for is a worthwhile library. It’s why Netflix and Hulu work, it’s why Xbox Game Pass sounds like a good idea. And there is probably no more coveted library of games in the world than Nintendo’s almost endless back catalog, making it perfect for a subscription-type service in the vein of the Game Pass, where games aren’t streamed, but able to be downloaded straight to the console. Even with the Switch’s limited internal storage, most of these games are so small, it wouldn’t matter.”

To tide the loss, Nintendo offered to add a few more titles in its eShop, including including old-school platformer “Shovel Knight,” its latest expansion “Specter of Torment,” and the “Wipeout”-style racer “Fast RMX,” with the company promising to add over 60 indie titles by year end. Moreover, people who own a 3DS or Wii U can share their virtual wallet across all three gaming devices for purchases, the Verge said.