@Willy105 said:
@osan0: we won’t see hardware with as good BC as the Wii U because the Switch uses an entirely different hardware architecture. GCN -> Wii > Wii U was all the same family of PowerPC hardware so it could natively run all those games. Since Switch (and likely the next hardware) runs of Nvidia ARM, everything would need to be emulated and commercial/legal rights renewed.
Best case scenario is the next Nintendo is BC with Switch software, meaning all Switch rereleases/remakes of past Nintendo games (plus the emulated games on NSO) carry over.
The tech wouldn't really stop them from a technical standpoint. Systems with different hardware architectures emulate other systems all the time.
I had a quick look around and, apparently, the current Switch can do a pretty good impression of a Dreamcast and all older systems (including handhelds). Hard to say how far the Switch 2 could go without a spec but, assuming it's basically a portable PS4, it should be able to emulate a Wii U also. The Steam Deck can do it after all.
There are of course the legal issues around distributing those old games from 3rd parties, as you mention. This would be the biggest barrier. I don't think it would be prohibitive mind as it would make a lot of sense for 3rd parties to give it the green light. I mean the 3DS Store is dead. Surely game publishers on that store would like to see their software available for purchase again.
There shouldn't be any legal issues on the hardware side. I very much doubt that Nintendo made the same mistake MS made with regards to hardware contracts for the OG Xbox.
In saying that, i do agree that it's very unlikely that Nintendo will really have much BC beyond the Switch and any older games that come with Nintendo Online. But I think the reason for that will be more down to a business decision rather than a technical limitation. Nintendo would prefer to remake older games and sell them for more instead of selling old games for 5 bucks.
Log in to comment