The Nintendo Switch will require a launch day patch to access online features according to a Nintendo press release. The console will also launch without support for the Virtual Console.
The day one patch is being prepped and will be made available ahead of the system’s March 3 launch. The patch adds support for the console’s online features. The features that are added in the patch are as follows:
- Nintendo eShop access
- Online multiplayer
- Sharing gameplay images
- Linking Nintendo Accounts
- Connecting to public internet hotspots.
Nintendo said in a press release this update should download quickly in the background and that it won’t disrupt gameplay.
Nintendo also confirmed that the Switch will not have Virtual Console support at launch. The Virtual Console is Nintendo’s retro games store. It sells various games from older platforms and includes both Nintendo’s own games as well as third-party titles. Nintendo did not provide a date on when the service would be live on the Switch. The company has yet to formally announce its plans for the service on the Nintendo Switch but the prevailing rumor is that Nintendo GameCube games will make their way onto the service.
While most of the online features will likely have little effect on customers, eShop access could pose a problem for anyone who was planning to download their launch day games. While Nintendo said the patch should download quickly, it remains to be seen if there are any launch day server issues. Either way it sounds like buying a physical copy of the game is the way to go if you want to start playing right away on launch day.
The Nintendo Switch is the next console from Nintendo and follow-up to the Wii U. It launches March 3 for $300. Our Rochellie Fagan and O’Dell Harmon Jr. recently had a chance to check the console out and give us their thoughts on the console and a preview of some of the upcoming games.
