Virtual Console was originally planned for Switch

Nintendo initially planned to develop Virtual Console for the Switch. The Virtual Console feature was popular on consoles such as the Wii and allowed individual classic games to be purchased and downloaded. This is reported by LuigiBlood, who evaluated internal emails from Nintendo and iQue. With the introduction of Nintendo Switch Online, the concept has changed: instead of purchasing individual games, subscribers have access to collections of classics through special applications. Internal documents and emails from Nintendo and its partner company iQue reveal that development of a virtual console for the Switch began in 2015. The project’s code name was “Clipper”, which also involved M2. Testing included games like Final Fantasy 1 and 3, Mega Man 2-6, and other NES classics. Special features of the planned virtual console were, for example, a CRT mode which was supposed to simulate the switching on of a CRT television, including typical noises. A network gaming feature was planned, in which controllers would automatically switch between up to four players. Additional communication options such as emojis and ready-made messages such as “thank you”, “sry”, “plz” and “cya” were considered.

The Virtual Console project was abandoned in early 2017 and replaced by L-Classics, the current Nintendo Switch Online. According to internal discussions, the reason was a cost-benefit analysis: there were high testing costs for Virtual Console emulators on each new platform and there was fear of criticism from gamers who had to purchase games multiple times. times when they changed platforms. Additionally, Nintendo wanted to make many games available quickly, inexpensively and over the long term. Eventually, Nintendo Switch Online was created, giving users access to entire collections of classic games and regular updates with new titles. Additionally, Switch Online is long-term compatible with future Nintendo platforms.