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Even the most experienced capital-G Gamers have at some point pondered where, or often how, the best way to play a game is. We are fortunate to live in an era where we often have choice on what platform we game on. Third party publishers (in other words, publishers not named Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft) generally release their titles on multiple platforms, allowing video game enthusiasts the ability to play the biggest, new release on whatever system they own. Got a PC? Great, you’re playing the new Diablo game! Only have an Xbox? Sweet, Lies of P is heading your way. And if you only have a PlayStation 5, don’t worry, Microsoft just signed an agreement that Call of Duty is still heading to your system for the foreseeable future despite them likely buying-out Activision. With the recent surge in allowing gamers to party with friends on other systems through cross-platform play and a recent PlayStation and Xbox integration of Discord making cross-platform chat possible, the stress of picking the best gaming platform for your needs is easier than ever. Well, at least when it comes to modern games – for classic games, it might be more confusing than ever.

Classic Games, Classic Systems

If you’re a video game ‘purist’ like me, the obvious answer to how to play classic games is in their original state. NES games are best enjoyed with an NES controller. Handheld Pokemon games should be played on smaller screens with tactile buttons. Civilization games should absolutely be played on a PC with a keyboard and mouse, and Final Fantasy VII works perfectly with a D-Pad and doesn’t need analog sticks. I think that by using original hardware and controls, it allows us to experience classic games in the ways they were made in the past without giving us direct comparisons to modern games being released decades later. Additionally, modern controllers don’t necessarily fix control issues past releases had – seriously, try playing any 3D DS game like the remake of Super Mario 64 or the port of Rayman 2 on a 3DS and try to use the circle pad for analog control (I’ll save you the trouble, it’s rough). Modern conveniences can distract us from appreciating games designed around the restraints of their era, and may even make the experience worse or frustrating.

However, modern devices not only increase the accessibility to playing classic games, but it also makes it far more realistic for most living spaces. More hardcore gaming purists than me will take it a step further and say classic games must be played on old technology such as CRT TVs to really be accurately experienced. So someone who would want to play the original Mario Kart 64 in an ‘authentic’ way would not only need to track down a working Nintendo 64, Mario Kart 64 game cartridge, four decent N64 controllers, but also a heavy TV big enough to facilitate the space you want to race in. While you could likely hunt for deals and you may not need a full set of controllers, a quick search on eBay can give us a snapshot of the price it could take. An N64 with four controllers would cost around $180 for the system and controllers, $20 for the game, and around $100 for a 19″ CRT TV for a total of nearly $300. Just to play one game from 1996! Once you factor in the cost of space to store everything, the dream of playing games in their original states becomes less and less realistic, plus the cost only increases if you want a bigger screen.

Is Emulation the Solution?

The term ’emulation’ is often viewed as a ‘dirty’ term popularized by video game pirates who would rather download games to play them instead of purchasing them. While the harm of piracy is often debated and can be viewed from multiple angles to fit the frame and argument being presented, emulation is simply the ability to run a game on hardware that it was not originally designed for, and is often used by original publishers of games to make them compatible with modern hardware. Original Xbox and Xbox 360 games are available on the newest Xbox Series systems through emulation. While not quite emulation, classic PlayStation, PS2, and PS3 games can be streamed to PS4 and 5 systems if a player subscribes to Sony’s Premium online service. Even Nintendo, often viewed as the company most aggressive toward emulation, has embraced it through their Nintendo Switch Online applications that allow subscribers to play classic Nintendo games on their Nintendo Switch systems.

Emulation certainly makes playing older games easier and more accessible, but it still presents issues such as not using the controllers they were designed to accommodate. This is less of an issue with games released during the 6th generation of consoles (GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox) as the controllers haven’t changed too drastically with Nintendo being the exception. Sony and Microsoft controllers have certainly changed since 2000 to become more comfortable and adapt to modern sensibilities like wireless connections and rechargeable batteries, but they still mostly have the same basic features; two analog sticks, a D-Pad, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons, and two triggers. Playing Jak and Daxter or Gears of War doesn’t feel much different playing on the 6th generation controllers as they do with their 9th generation counterparts.

Emulation has assisted in bringing nearly accurate classic experiences through classic console releases as well. Nintendo, Sony, and Sega have released mini versions of their classic systems with the NES Mini, SNES Mini, PlayStation Classic, and Sega Genesis Mini. These come bundled with re-released controllers fitting the system and pre-loaded with many iconic games for their respective console. They even try to assist with recreating the feeling of playing them at release through providing options in their emulators like a 4:3 aspect ratio and CRT TV filters. While not perfect, these attempts go a long way in reducing cost of storage and game availability associated with trying to accurately play legacy titles. Nintendo and Sega also provide these filter options on their respective online apps and classic collection releases. Nintendo takes it a step further by offering Switch-compatible NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers for purchase online.

Availability First, Features Second

Returning back to the discussion on how best to play Mario Kart 64, let’s say you don’t already have an N64 and CRT TV lying around but you’re a modern player who already owns a Nintendo Switch, and since you like multiplayer games, you likely already have the basic Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) plan. The emulated version of Mario Kart 64 requires the expansion pack of their online service, so an extra $30 for NSO. Since we’re trying to play ‘authentically’, you’ll need to buy 4 N64 controllers from Nintendo’s website for $50 each (assuming they’re even available for purchase). Total, you’ll be shelling out $230 and won’t be playing on a classic TV. However, for $70 less and having access to other classic games from the N64 era like Goldeneye or Mario Party 1-3, it works out to be quite a bit cheaper to play classic games if you don’t mind emulation. And if you’re willing to forego the controllers, you could be playing Mario Kart 64 for $30 if you already have four compatible controllers or your buddies could bring some over – just $10 more than buying the original cartridge and you have access to other games. Of course it’s also a subscription so you may not always have access to it in the future, but that’s a whole different discussion.

There is also a problem that it is very possible to already own all of the classic hardware and games, it's not always simple to attach it to a modern display. My two PC monitors, nor my TV have the classic component or composite cables to attach my old N64, GameCube, Wii, Dreamcast, or PS2 systems that I own and play any of the classic games I still have. While the availability of ROMs (game files taken from original releases and uploaded to a computer and can be played on emulators) is debated on how, well, 'legal' they are, it's often believed that using emulators to play games you legally own is acceptable. Of course this often means one is sacrificing playing with original controllers, and definitely the original hardware, to have the convenience of playing on modern displays without the need to store outdated hardware somewhere in the home; but hey, at least you can play them!

And the Winner Is?

It may seem silly to come to this conclusion after weighing all of the different options, but the best way to play a game is strictly up to the player. The freedom of being able to play games anywhere and anytime is far more valuable than having it restricted to relics of the past. Methods to play in classic ways are also still available even if you play a game on a different platform after finishing a title – if you play Final Fantasy VI on a keyboard and loved it, you’re always able to hop back onto an SNES and experience just as it was in 1994.

Simply being able to play a game is the most important consideration – even if you believe playing Sonic the Hedgehog on an original Sega Genesis is critical to appreciating the game, it is hard to argue that someone playing a PS4 re-release on the Sega Genesis Classics with a PS5 controller is worse than not playing it at all. I do think some systems provide a game play experience unique to the system they were released on – I believe that Super Mario Sunshine is best played with a GameCube controller because of its analog shoulder buttons, but playing the Switch’s re-release in Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a perfectly acceptable way to enjoy one of the most unique games the plumber has starred in. Pokemon Red and Blue might feel the best with a D-Pad and buttons, but if you can only play it through using your phone, go catch ’em all!

Love that orange boy!

Located in the Northern Cascades in Washington, USA. Had a wonderful time backpacking the area!

Life Support Never Looked So Good
Nintendo’s hit console, the Nintendo Switch, released worldwide on March 3rd, 2017. Despite being less powerful than its direct rivals, Sony’s dominant PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s less-impressive Xbox One, Nintendo’s handheld/console hybrid system captured the attention of gamers all over the world – to the point where it has become the third-highest selling game console ever, shipping over 125 million units as of the end of March 2023. While there is no doubt that the system is a tremendous success and continues to sell well, the gaming community is beginning to look forward at what Nintendo is planning to pull out of their bag of tricks next.

The Switch being well into it’s 6th year of life without the announcement of a successor is a bit of an anomaly for the company; Nintendo’s last system, the Wii U, was the company’s home console from November 2012 – March 2017, recording only just over 12 million sales across its short, nearly 4 and a half year lifespan. Nintendo’s home console with the longest lifespan before the Switch was their first console, the NES, which released in Japan in 1982 and replaced by the SNES in 1990. While 8 years is easily the longest gap in their history, US markets enjoyed it from 1985 through 1991, setting the trend for a new console to be released by the company every five to six years. So what’s Nintendo doing?

Power Isn’t Everything. Sales Are.
Simply put, it seems that Nintendo isn’t too worried about pushing out a new, more powerful console that needs to adopt an entirely new player base. 125 million consoles sold worldwide means their software can be purchased by a gigantic portion of the gaming community. To put it into perspective, the number of people living in the United State’s most populous states are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, totaling 123,952,896 residents according to the 2022 US census. The Nintendo Switch has sold more consoles than the combined populations of these states worldwide. Moving to a new console will be necessary at some point, and Nintendo would be wise to focus on making games from their Switch successor backwards compatible for at least a year or two, but Nintendo clearly believes that their massive install base is important to the health of their company.

Software attachment rate is important too. Nintendo doesn’t need to worry about this problem. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a polished version of the Wii U’s Mario Kart 8, has sold over 53 million units. Super Mario Odyssey has moved over 25 million copies. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (which released on the Wii U as well) sold just shy of 30 million copies. These numbers show little signs of slowing down; releasing last November, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has moved 22 million copies despite community backlash over performance issues yet still has a $30 downloadable content (DLC) expansion releasing later this year. And of course Nintendo’s juggernaut title of the year, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been insanely successful, selling 10 million copies in just three days of being available.

Learning from the Past
Nintendo has a reputation of finding ways to support their consoles as it heads toward the sunset while preparing titles for a future platform. Nintendo’s Wii similarly had a Zelda swan song with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in November of 2011, one year before the release of the Wii U. Otherwise, the Wii’s final year was mostly supported by games that had yet to be localized; The Last Story, Pandora’s Tower, and Xenoblade Chronicles were three titles released that had been localized in Europe, and were released in the states to fill in the gap. Mario Party 9 and Rhythm Heaven Fever supported it as well, and while games that certainly found fans, weren’t the ‘huge releases’ that Wii owners looked for.

Nintendo’s GameCube followed the trend as well; The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was released on both the Wii and GameCube. 2006 also brought Baten Kaitos Origins and Odama to the platform, but other than Zelda, Nintendo had little to offer its fans as they transitioned into the era of the Wii. I believe that Nintendo has gradually improved on supporting the twilight years of their consoles, but they clearly have a trend of the large titles bowing out in favor of supporting their new system with new experiences to give customers a reason to throw down their hard-earned money.

Third Parties are…Lacking
Nintendo’s GameCube followed the trend as well; The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was released on both the Wii and GameCube. Beyond Zelda, 2006 brought Baten Kaitos Origins and Odama to the platform, but other than Zelda, Nintendo had little to offer its fans as they transitioned into the era of the Wii. Nintendo has gradually gotten better at supporting the twilight years of their consoles, but they clearly have a trend of the large titles bowing out in favor of supporting their new system with new experiences to give customers a reason to throw down their hard-earned money.

Maybe more problematic than Nintendo gearing up to release a new system is the lack of third party support on their systems. Of course, Nintendo’s Switch has actually enjoyed huge third party support over its lifetime. Although they miss large releases such as Call of Duty or serviceable ports of EA’s sports games, the Switch still has received high-quality ports of games like The Witcher 3, Rocket League, Doom, No Man’s Sky, and Apex Legends. Even now, it is about to get the Arkham Collection where Arkham Knight will hit the platform for the first time. The Switch’s install base is still encouraging effort being invested into releasing games onto the platform, but Nintendo-only gamers are being left out of major releases.

Elden Ring, and consequently its major expansion, missed the Switch entirely. Hogwarts Legacy seems to be struggling to create a working build for the platform. Diablo 4 has skipped the console despite Diablo 3 and Diablo 2 Resurrected performing well. Genshin Impact was shown off early 2021 with nothing to see from it since then. Star Wars Jedi Survivor is absent from its lineup. The Switch version of Marvel’s Midnight Suns was outright canceled. All of these games would absolutely sell more copies if they could tap into the Switch’s install base; which leads me to believe that they haven’t because the investment of both time and money that it would take to get these games working well on the console is more than they believe they would bring back. Simply put, the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC have advanced way too far ahead of Nintendo’s aging console, and Nintendo gamers are missing out on excellent gaming experiences because of it.

New Software is Coming, Will it be Enough?
A new 3D Zelda game just came out, Pokemon and their 3rd-person shooter Splatoon is being supported with DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still getting new tracks as part of their Mario Kart Expansion Pass, new 2D Mario is on its way, and Pikmin 4 looks like it will be another excellent RTS title for the handheld. However, Nintendo seems to be lacking major titles. We have heard nothing on a new 3D Mario title, Mario Kart 9 seems far in the distance, and Pokemon is struggling to run their titles up to modern standards. Despite the slate of games Nintendo just announced, it would be understandable for Nintendo fans to be wondering where the new, headlining titles are. I mean seriously, where is Metroid Prime 4?

Nintendo provided fans a bit of a roadmap for 2023 in their most recent Nintendo Direct presentation on June 21st. Fans of Nintendo’s mustachioed plumber Mario were likely satisfied, getting a remake of the Super Nintendo’s excellent Super Mario RPG finally bringing it to new and old fans since the original’s release in 1996. Super Mario Bros. Wonder finally takes the 2D games in a modern, more creative direction to breathe new life into a series that was beginning to feel stale in its last release New Super Mario Bros. U. Also announced was an upgraded port of the 3DS’ Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon, and an untitled game starring Princess Peach.

A few games from third party partners were shown off too, like a new entry into the Dragon Quest Monsters series, a Batman Arkham collection, and a Metal Gear Solid collection. Now, between the Mario content blitz, Pikmin, and some third party titles, there is plenty of content for Nintendo fans to chew on throughout the rest of the year – however, its becoming clear that some heavy hitters are absent from the platform.

A Look to the Future
Despite the appearance of third party support dwindling, it is difficult to point at that as a reference for a new system being necessary, let alone on the horizon. Nintendo has typically been fine walking to the beat of their own drum, and Nintendo fans tend to be happy with their consoles as long as new, quality games are being released for it. However, I believe Nintendo is preparing for a Switch successor to be released in 2024. Despite Zelda, Pikmin, and Mario being excellent releases for 2023, the lack of huge, exciting games is incredibly noticeable. Even if Super Mario Bros. Wonder ends up being the best 2D Mario title in a long time (and it certainly looks to be the case), it’s still not as exciting as a brand new 3D Mario game, a new Mario Kart with a new gimmick, inventive new Kirby game, or even a Pokemon game that is ambitious while still running up to modern standards.

Nintendo is doing an excellent job at taking advantage of the Switch’s massive install base by giving plenty of new experiences for existing owners to play, but they’re doing little to entice new gamers to adopt their platform. I believe this is because Nintendo’s newest, premiere titles will be on whatever kind of system they have cooking up in their R&D department.