Remember when Microsoft stopped providing updates to the Xbox 360 that allowed it to play old Xbox games, then "coincidentally" launched its downloadable Xbox Classics? It's an obvious trick, but it's one that works, and if this rumor is to be believed, Nintendo hopes to emulate the scam with its own "classics" scheme.
As we all know, the DSi cannot play Gameboy or Gameboy Advance games, due to the fact that the cartridge slot was removed. This gives Nintendo the opportunity to look "generous" by offering old handheld games as downloadable titles on the DSiWare Store. It's ingenous, isn't it? Nintendo fans will lap it up, claiming that Nintendo truly cares about the "core gamer" and Reggie Fils-Aime will be carried through the streets as a king.
The current gossip suggests that downloadable GB and GBA games could be available on an expanded DSiWare store as early as next week, with a possible announcement at E3 paving the way. Until we get that announcement, this is of course mere speculation, but it's one I find highly likely. Removing a system's functionality and then offering the incompatible games as download worked out quite nicely for Microsoft, and there's no reason for Nintendo not to follow suit.
Don't act like you won't fall for it, either. I know I'd download Sonic Advance for my DSi, despite having the physical cartridge on my desk. Hell, it'll be a better use of my complimentary DSiWare points than the crap currently polluting the DSiWare store.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:40 AM on 05.28.2009
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I'd download Golden Sun on day 1.
It's a much more admirable use of the R4 than straight up pirating, and I don't like seeing Nintendo or Microsoft getting money for stunts like this.
Regardless, I would willingly fall for Nintendo's scheming if it promises seamless switching between those old Donkey Kong Land games I dont have!
http://ds.kombo.com/article.php?artid=7007
"Removing a system's functionality and then offering the incompatible games as download worked out quite nicely for Microsoft"
according to
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm
all games available as Xbox Originals are backwards compatible, and therefore not "incompatible games" I think that if non-BC games were made available on Xbox Originals they would more than likely be made disc based BC as well. Nontheless, like Microsoft, Nintendo will MAKE MONEY with a service like this. I wish there would be a way to buy these games without a DSi for the lite.
However, let's remember how the Wii Virtual Console downloads work. Maybe we could expect a single GB and/or GBA game each week? It'll just be a trickle of games coming in, and we won't have any say in when/which games get released. So keep your expectations low and don't hope for an entire library of games to suddenly become available...
*goes back to owning all three copies of Resident Evil 4*
I hope nobody really assumes that the sole purpose of this system would be to get people to pay for things twice. For me the virtual console has been the place where I get to experience great games I missed out on.
This can't come soon enough.
The GBA thing is bull unless they give us things like Mother 3.
That's a really good way at looking at it. I really don't think Nintendo expected you to really buy all of your games again but really wanted to be able to play classics
@ DLZ
Coming from someone who used to pirate (I've deleted all games besides the Earthbound series now I've heard of this) I think that one of the few LEGIT reasons to pirate is if the company can no longer profit from it and used games don't help the developer in any way. But just because you don't feel like paying! That is really screwed up. If they're giving you a chance to get the game legit I suggest you reconsider purchasing it or at least go without it or have you bought the games on an older system and don't want to purchase the same thing twice? That's alot more understanable
Oh, shit. Hits the nail.
If they can find a way to transfer downloaded VC titles from your Wii to this, that would be a goddamn sweet deal (not sure if N64 would be possible, but the others should be).
@DiscardedCouchSammich: Totally agree on the face buttons with GBA games. Pain in the ass, really.
Forums will be back by E3, I trust?
i'm playing zelda links awakening right now
go r4
:D
Anyway, I think it would be a great idea to have downloadable GB and GBA games. I never owned a GBA, so it would - potentially - be an easy way to catch up on classics. As for the GB, I own a handful of games (Tetris, etc.), but there are plenty I missed out on.
(*Ghost Babel owns.)
Because nintendo gives us these things and then doesn't give a damn about what content goes on there. So Super Mario Land shows up. Will we get Gargoyles Quest? Not for a long fucking time.
How long will Nintendo make us wait for metroid fusion? Or F Zero? Or how long will I be waiting for Final Fantasy VI?
They can announce their intentions all they want but the library support will ultimately fall through and we won't get but a sliver of the content we can dream up to go on this service. Nintendo's last three years with the Wii all but back me up in that they really could care less about securing good downloadable games outside of their own games.
Hell, you need further proof that they don't care?
Earthbound and Mother 3.
If either title shows up on American shores ever in this generationg I'll reverse my thinking.