News – Nintendo Switch Embraces Retro

Today Nintendo took to the stage in Tokyo as they held a press conference entirely dedicated to their brand new console, the Nintendo Switch. This press conference sadly left a lot to be desired when it came to selling what looks to be one of the most exciting pieces of hardware for a long time. Nevertheless, there were still many bright spots, many of which concern Nintendo’s past rather than its future.

Within the press conference we got to take a closer look at both the console, and how its Joy-Con controllers work. We also got more information on the launch line-up, and a sneak peak at the new Super Mario title, Super Mario Odyssey. Oh and let’s not forget that glorious fully voiced Breath of the Wild trailer too.

However, deep within this press conference there was a tidbit of information concerning Nintendo’s 8 & 16-bit past. This was the fact those who subscribe to Nintendo’s upcoming online service will receive a free NES or Super Nintendo game to play every single month. What’s more, the Super Nintendo games will even have online play added.

However, whilst on PlayStation and Xbox, gamers receive between around four games free every month which remain their’s for as long as they subscribe, this isn’t quite the case on Nintendo’s new online service. You see on Switch, unlike the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live’s offerings, these games will no longer be available to gamers after the month is over. Nevertheless, it’s still nice to see Nintendo shifting some focus onto the old rather than the new.

In fact, this wasn’t the only part of the conference that would have likely made retro fans happy. You see, there was also quite a few retro franchises and retro-inspired titles announced for the Nintendo Switch. These included the likes of Super Bomberman R, I Am Setsuna, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, and Sonic Mania to name but a few.

As such, if you’re a fan of retro, and why wouldn’t you be given you’re here, then it definitely seems as though you’ll want to keep a close on the Nintendo Switch going forward. In fact, regardless of how you feel about the press conference itself, the Switch certainly looks set to be one of the most exciting consoles in recent memory. One that looks set to seamlessly blend the old and the new.

Nintendo Switch Retro
Combining cartridges with simple controllers and an emphasis on local multiplayer gaming, and its easy to see the Switch’s Retro credentials.

The Nintendo Switch releases on March 3rd globally, and we here and Rings & Coins are very excited. We’ll also of course be on hand to fill you in on every bit of retro goodness that comes the way of the Nintendo Switch. Oh, and if you’re still yet to check out the press conference, then you can do so by checking out the video below.

Sophia Aubrey Drake

A lifelong gamer with a fanatical love of all things Nintendo and Japan. So much so that she's written a thesis on one and lived in the other. Currently on a quest to catch every last Pokémon. Follow me on twitter via @DivaXChill or @RingsandCoins.

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