The Virtual Console is Back on the Switch 2, But with a Twist
Remember the Virtual Console, the beloved service that brought classic Nintendo games to the Wii and Wii U? Well, it's back, but with a twist. In 2018, Nintendo replaced the Virtual Console with a time-limited access subscription service, which was a disappointment for many gamers. Now, Hamster Corporation is stepping in to fill the gap, offering downloadable versions of retro console games for direct individual purchase on the Switch 2.
During the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Hamster announced a new Console Archives line of emulated classics available for download starting today on the Switch 2 and next week on the PlayStation 5. The lineup currently includes the original PlayStation snowboarding title Cool Boarders for $12 and the NES action platformer Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos for $8. However, Hamster promises more obscure games, including Doraemon and Sonic Wings Special, will be available in the future.
If the name Hamster Corporation sounds familiar, it's because the company is behind the Arcade Archive series, which has repackaged individual arcade games for purchase and emulated play on modern consoles since 2014. This effort even includes some of Nintendo's classic arcade titles, which the Switch-maker never officially released on the original Virtual Console.
Hamster's new offerings are more bare-bones than the full-fledged interactive museums released by the likes of Digital Eclipse, but they still include a few modern features, such as customizable button layouts, screen settings, and the ability to save and load at any time. This expansion of their efforts "with the concept of faithfully reproducing masterpieces released on various home game consoles, allowing players to easily enjoy them on the latest hardware" is a welcome addition to the gaming landscape.
