Starting today, you are able to play Game Boy games via a Nintendo Switch Online membership. And with the Expansion Pack you are getting Game Boy Advance games on top. With this we're one big step closer to the Virtual Console library of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, where only the Nintendo DS is missing now. The latter may be a bit tricky, because touchscreen controls are limited to handheld mode, but it's not impossible. Potentially, we may also see GameCube and Wii games in the future, as proven by the Super Mario 3D-Allstars collection, but this may also be something that Nintendo is saving for the next system.
Anyway, this adds Link's Awakening DX and The Minish Cap to the list of Zelda games that can be played on the Nintendo Switch. Of course there is the remake of Link's Awakening already, where this here is basically now the discount version. But there is some different content in there with the photo quest, where you may want to experience this as well. They also could have added both versions of Link's Awakening, but at least the original one can still be played via the Game & Watch.
Oracle of Ages & Seasons will also be added in the future, where this doesn't bode well for a remake, at least not anytime soon. Obviously, Nintendo isn't too concerned about these competing with each other or else we wouldn't have gotten Link's Awakening in three different variants during the last years, but they started things with the remake and not the other way around. People might just play the NSO version and then don't care anymore. But let's see...
The Minish Cap is always nice to have in any case. It has aged quite well, where it's not in immediate need of a remake or something. What makes this very valuable compared to Wii U is that you can select between the different European and North American versions. This is special for Europe, because the European version was based on an earlier build, which had a nasty bug related to the Kinstone quest and was missing the Bomb Bag upgrade from Stockwell's shop (see TCRF). Finally, we get to enjoy the improved version officially.
It's also always nice just to try some games for fun, without the need of purchasing them, where I will look into the GameBoy Advance Fire Emblem games at some point.
I won't be getting the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack just for that, however, but what will make me upgrade is A Link to the Past & Four Swords. If you can play this online with friends, this will be a huge deal. I never had the chance to play the full four-player version of the game, which makes a difference, since the levels get changed based on the player count.
Anyway, with this the list of Zelda games that can be played on Nintendo Switch is steadily growing:
- The Legend of Zelda (NES)
- Zelda II - The Adventure of Link (NES)
- A Link to the Past (SNES)
- Link's Awakening (Remake)
- Link's Awakening DX (GBC)
- Ocarina of Time (N64)
- Majora's Mask (N64)
- Oracle of Ages (GBC)
- Oracle of Seasons (GBC)
- The Minish Cap
- Skyward Sword HD
- Breath of the Wild
- Tears of the Kingdom
That's 12 out of 20. What will be missing are the following:
- A Link to the Past & Four Swords
- The Wind Waker (HD)
- Four Swords Adventures
- Twilight Princess (HD)
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
- A Link Between Worlds
- Tri Force Heroes
It's possible that Four Swords will return via the GBA service and it's likely that they will bring back The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD at some point as well. And everything save for the two Nintendo 3DS games could potentially also be included in future Nintendo Switch Online collections.
Metroid is also looking very good all of sudden, where the total number of playable Metroid games on the Nintendo Switch has doubled:
- Metroid (NES)
- Metroid II - Return of Samus (GB)
- Super Metroid (SNES)
- Metroid Fusion (GBA)
- Metroid Prime Remastered
- Metroid Dread
There are still many Metroid games left, where this isn't even half of it, but we're getting there and in the least we will be also seeing Metroid: Zero Mission at some point.
By the way, it's weird how they started things with Wario Land 3 on the Game Boy Color, but Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 and Wario Land II are still missing. Even the original Super Mario Land is not there yet, which is a bit odd, but these games will slowly, but certainly pour in over the next months and years.
So now I have to decide for minish cap: do I play it in my language or do I go for the bomb bag upgrade? Probably the latter. Now, if only there was a version which allows you to build the third house for Farore, it has always bugged me!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think a remake for oracles is still possible in the future. With TotK and the rumored WW and TP HD, the oracles games would never going to exist in the near future. But if they remake the games with new visuals and they add enough new staff (like they did in Link' awakening with new heart pieces, more seashells...), I can totally see fans buying it regardless of the OG games in NSO. I know I would buy it for sure.
Just go with the North American version, there are a couple of other improvements as well, which I haven't mentioned. Like, it removes all the open door icons from Kinstones on the map once you've gotten whatever there is to get, which gives you a better overview.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Oracle games, of course fans would buy the remake. I have played through both titles eight times in total and I'd still love to get remakes, because there is a lot to improve here.
But there is also the more casual player base, those who have never played the Oracles before and just want to give it a go. And for them it might be enough to have an easy access to the GameBoy Color versions. And as long as they get to see the credits roll, they will be satisfied. Maybe the password system creates a bit of a hurdle, where some are more willing to buy into remakes, but I don't expect it to have the same success as the Link's Awakening remake under these circumstances, where you get these games for "free" with the basic online subscription, which most Switch players will have.
Sooo... I almost completed the minish cap (US version), just before Hyrule Castle. I want to do everything I can before beating the game, and apparently Tingle says that I have 4 more kingstone trades to do.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the map icons disappear in this version is not helping me with finding the ones I'm mising. Do you know if there is an easy way to find them? Or do I have to look over all the map?
Thanks in advance!
I'm afraid there is nothing in the game that will tell you were to look for them...
ReplyDeleteBest you can do is go through a list and see what you might be missing:
https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Kinstone_Fusion#List_of_Fusions
There are some easy-to-miss ones, like the Minish in the northeast corner of Minish Village, who is doing two fusions. This is also something that you need to keep in mind: some characters have two fixed fusions to go through.