• HomeBoards
  • RulesRules
  • HelpHelp
  • WikiWiki
  • Donate

Author Topic: Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console  (Read 5414 times)

Dangoo (OP)

  • Posts: 34
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
« on: November 24, 2013, 07:51:29 pm »
Just wondered why the 3DS Virtual Console service only allows you to download 8-bit games. Why not SNES for example? Just wondered if anyone knew why.

MightyJAK

  • Posts: 538
    • My tumblr
Re: Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2013, 07:26:16 pm »
Nobody (outside of Nintendo) seems to know, but there sure is a lot of conjecture. On the technical side, the top screen should be able to play games that use the SNES's lower resolutions without scaling. I've only found this this vague official statement from Satoru Iwata:
Quote
While Wii U and Nintendo 3DS already offer Virtual Console software, I feel that we have not been able to take full advantage of our assets yet, so we would like to enrich our Virtual Console lineup.
source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/131031qa/index.html

The SNES isn't the only classic system conspicuous for its absence from the 3DS Virtual Console. GBA would seem to be a perfect fit (it's been announced as "coming soon" for the WiiU along with N64), as well as the Virtual Boy. We've got Game Gear, but no Master System (although it is on Wii). Even the systems that are represented have only seen a trickle of games released on Virtual Console.

My theory? Nintendo is intentionally keeping the "supply" low to keep demand high. If they were to "flood the market" by making the entire back catalog of the supported systems available at once, it would be harder to get attention for new releases. So it makes sense that they would only release a few carefully selected feature games at a time. Withholding the Virtual Console releases could also help increase visibility for the "3D Classics" on 3DS and HD remakes of N64/GameCube games on the WiiU.
My machines:
GBC,GBA,GBA SP,NDS,NGPC,Panasonic FZ-10 3DO,NES,Sega Nomad,Sega CDX w/Power Base Converter,PS1,PS2,PS3,Saturn,Dreamcast,PC (Win 98, XP, 7),Dingoo A320,Dingoo A330,Gemei A330,LetCool N350JP,PAP-GAMETA,GCW-Zero SE,Kyocera Rise,2DS,GP2X-F100,GPD G7,JXD 100,JXD A1000,JXD A3300,JXD F3000,JXD V5000,JXD S7300B,Hyperkin SupaBoy

Currently playing: Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call (2DS)

Dangoo (OP)

  • Posts: 34
Re: Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2013, 02:15:17 pm »
Nobody (outside of Nintendo) seems to know, but there sure is a lot of conjecture. On the technical side, the top screen should be able to play games that use the SNES's lower resolutions without scaling. I've only found this this vague official statement from Satoru Iwata:
Quote
While Wii U and Nintendo 3DS already offer Virtual Console software, I feel that we have not been able to take full advantage of our assets yet, so we would like to enrich our Virtual Console lineup.
source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/131031qa/index.html

The SNES isn't the only classic system conspicuous for its absence from the 3DS Virtual Console. GBA would seem to be a perfect fit (it's been announced as "coming soon" for the WiiU along with N64), as well as the Virtual Boy. We've got Game Gear, but no Master System (although it is on Wii). Even the systems that are represented have only seen a trickle of games released on Virtual Console.

My theory? Nintendo is intentionally keeping the "supply" low to keep demand high. If they were to "flood the market" by making the entire back catalog of the supported systems available at once, it would be harder to get attention for new releases. So it makes sense that they would only release a few carefully selected feature games at a time. Withholding the Virtual Console releases could also help increase visibility for the "3D Classics" on 3DS and HD remakes of N64/GameCube games on the WiiU.

I think Nintendo are shooting themselves in the foot then. They are driving people towards emulation. If I want to play a SNES game on the go I have no 'official' options.

Surely the 3DS Virtual Console should be offering at least SNES/Megadrive games and theres no reason why GBA or even DS games couldn't be on it.

I agree with you though about the 3D classics. They have recently released some 3D versions of Megadrive games. That might be a reason why they don't release other Megadrive games.

I think its a shame the Gamegadget never worked out. Retro games at decent prices up to the 16 bit era at relatively low prices...

MightyJAK

  • Posts: 538
    • My tumblr
Re: Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2014, 04:43:05 pm »
Pertinent news: http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/01/nintendo_still_working_on_bringing_game_boy_advance_titles_to_3ds_virtual_console_says_natsume

Quote
Nintendo does not put recent console games on the 3DS eShop, and sadly that means we cannot either. The same goes with GBA (outside of the ambassador games) ? though they?re working on this and we look forward to the day it?s possible. ...We?re aware today that Nintendo has announced plans to launch DS games for the WiiU

GBA too recent to be put on eShop, but planning to launch DS games for WiiU... What are you doing, Nintendo?  ::)
My machines:
GBC,GBA,GBA SP,NDS,NGPC,Panasonic FZ-10 3DO,NES,Sega Nomad,Sega CDX w/Power Base Converter,PS1,PS2,PS3,Saturn,Dreamcast,PC (Win 98, XP, 7),Dingoo A320,Dingoo A330,Gemei A330,LetCool N350JP,PAP-GAMETA,GCW-Zero SE,Kyocera Rise,2DS,GP2X-F100,GPD G7,JXD 100,JXD A1000,JXD A3300,JXD F3000,JXD V5000,JXD S7300B,Hyperkin SupaBoy

Currently playing: Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call (2DS)

falconthefearless

  • Posts: 52
Re: Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2014, 06:14:14 am »
in all honesty they should add the neogeo pocket and the ds to the vc as well as the GBA for the public because the practices and decisions they are making is driving people to open source gaming. they should also bring over more arcade games to the VC i mean look at the JP VC arcade list than compare it to the US VC arcade list.

JP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_for_Wii_(Japan)#Virtual_Console_Arcade

US: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Virtual_Console_games_for_Wii_(North_America)


 

Post a new topic
Post a new topic