According to GameSpot, Nintendo recently released a press release in which they stated that Nintendo’s Virtual Console will not be available on the Switch at launch. For those who don’t know, the Virtual Console is Nintendo’s service that allows players to play some older games (from the NES, SNES, N64, etc.) on new consoles. The Wii and Wii U consoles both had access to the Virtual Console.
Nintendo reportedly stated, “Virtual Console games will not be available on Nintendo Switch at launch. We will share more information in the future.” Hopefully this means that the Virtual Console will eventually be available on the Switch.
In addition to the lack of the Virtual Console, it was previously announced that the Switch would not have access to video streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube. The Switch will also not have backwards compatibility, meaning it will not be able to play physical Wii or Wii U games.
The Switch’s launch is a little more than a week away, on March 3. Also unlike the Wii or Wii U, the Switch will not come with any bundled games. This was a decision made by Nintendo in an attempt to keep the Switch at the $299.99 price point.
Switch launch titles include 1-2-Switch, Super Bomberman R and the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It was also announced in the press release that Fast RMX and Shovel Knight will be launch titles. The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ was originally going to be a launch title, but has been delayed. Nintendo also recently announced via social media that there will be a stream about indie games coming to the Switch on Tuesday, February 28 at 9AM PST.