One thing that Switch users have lamented almost since the day of the system’s launch, was Nintendo’s abandoning of the Virtual Console/eShop in favor of Nintendo Switch Online (NSO). So many of us wondered why they did it, but, it seems that they actually weren’t planning to at first.

According to Twisted Voxel, someone with some connection to the project at the time has leaked internal emails from iQue (a manufacturing company with a close relationship with Nintendo). These emails seem to suggest that Nintendo did, in fact, plan to continue the Virtual Console model on Switch, but technological issues and player complaints about the Virtual Console system seemingly caused Nintendo to pursue what would become NSO instead.

It seems that there were difficulties implementing the Wii U’s emulators on Switch, with the N64 one being particularly difficult. They also apparently had trouble making it possible to carry past Virtual Console purchases forward onto Switch. Players didn’t appreciate having to re-purchase games on the Wii U, so it seems Nintendo wasn’t keen on continuing that issue. There’s a bit more to it, too, so manke sure to check out the full article.

I’m also one of those who thinks a proper Virtual Console would be better, since I like the idea of just buying games outright rather than paying a monthly subscription to access them. There’s only a handful of game that I’m actually interested in on NSO, so the idea of only paying for those sounds nice to me. Still, I get that technology gets in the way at times, and I do remember being peeved at having to pay between $5 and $10 per game, so perhaps it works out in the end.

What’s your take on Virtual Console vs NSO? Which would you prefer if you had the option to chooose?

Image is official promo art