No Virtual Console For Nintendo Switch At Launch

Less than two weeks before the Nintendo Switch is due to launch, Nintendo today confirmed that the console will not have a Virtual Console at release.

Nintendo said in a statement: "Virtual Console games will not be available on Nintendo Switch at launch. We will share more information in the future."

The Nintendo Switch is also releasing without any video-streaming services such as Netflix or YouTube. As with the Virtual Console, those features could be released later.

In addition to confirming the Virtual Console news, Nintendo shared some additional insight about how the eShop will work on the Nintendo Switch. First, users will need to download a system update at launch to access it. "The system update downloads in the background, is designed to install quickly and doesn't disrupt gameplay," Nintendo said.

Additionally, the eShop will have a "news feature" that will inform people about "the latest additions to Nintendo eShop, as well as providing information about upcoming games and other updates from Nintendo."

Nintendo also clarified more about how users can share funds across Nintendo devices.

"People who already have funds in their accounts on other Nintendo devices can access them using a shared wallet that works on Nintendo Switch as well," Nintendo said. "Once they link their Nintendo Network ID and Nintendo Account and then their Nintendo Account to their Nintendo Switch system, this functionality becomes possible."

Finally, Nintendo said that people can buy digital Nintendo Switch games through Nintendo.com; the games will then download at home or on the go, provided there is a Wifi connection.

The Nintendo Switch launches on March 3.