Nintendo Switch Online has received some criticism in the past for not being as impressive as Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus, but the one area where it's thrived is its classic game offerings. Ever since the service launched, Nintendo has added classic catalogs of games from its iconic consoles starting with the NES. The most recent additions to Nintendo Switch Online have been some of the most exciting, as Game Boy and GBA games were introduced earlier this year, and now many fans are wondering what's next. If Nintendo does decide to give more representation to handhelds, another dual-release could make a splash.
Now that Game Boy and GBA games are on the Switch, many fans are wondering if and when Nintendo DS games will come to the console. While there may be challenges to bringing DS games to NSO, it would have the potential to be one of the most exciting libraries yet thanks to the many iconic games on the handheld. The potential doesn't stop there, however, because just as the Game Boy and GBA are closely linked, so too are the DS and 3DS. If DS games do make their way to Nintendo Switch Online some day, Nintendo could benefit from adding a 3DS library to the service at the same time.
Nintendo Set a Precedent With Game Boy and GBA Games on Switch
While Game Boy and GBA games on the Switch had been rumored for some time, hardly anyone expected both libraries to be added simultaneously. This was a pleasant surprise for those with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, as GBA games became the third library added to the service after the N64 and SEGA Genesis. Now that Nintendo has added two libraries at once for handheld libraries, there may be an expectation that it will do the same if DS games come to the Switch. Anything less than that may be a disappointment for some fans, especially if there's a minimal amount of games included in the DS catalog.
On the topic of the games offered in NSO's classic catalogs, the Game Boy and GBA libraries are rather thin compared to other consoles. While some of the games like The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap have lengthy runtimes, it's possible for gamers to see about everything each catalog has to offer in a relatively short amount of time. If Nintendo offers a similar amount of games in a DS library, adding a 3DS catalog would give NSO subscribers much more to enjoy. Not only would DS games on Switch seem like a more worthwhile addition, but it would help subscribers feel like they're getting much more for their money.
3DS Games on Switch Would Make It the Ultimate Hybrid Console
With the introduction of the Switch, Nintendo effectively sunset its usual handheld consoles in favor of the current hybrid model. While this has proven to be a massively successful decision, it's also been at the expense of the smaller, more intimate games featured on the DS and 3DS. The 3DS now serves as Nintendo's last true handheld console, and with the 3DS eShop recently shutting down, the Switch could have an opportunity to provide the ultimate collection of handheld games. Not only would it make NSO much more valuable, but it would serve to preserve the legacy of the 3DS and Nintendo's handheld history.
Nintendo's classic catalogs got a huge boost from the introduction of Game Boy and GBA games, and hopes are high that a library of essential DS games will be around the corner. If the dual-screen handheld does make its way to the Switch, it could be in Nintendo's best interest to have 3DS games follow close behind. The experimental console is closely linked to the DS, and it would significantly bolster the value of Nintendo's subscription service. Whether it's locked behind the Expansion Pass or not, the Switch would become an even greater must-have console with all of Nintendo's previous handhelds under one system.