The Arcade Archives series has expanded on the Nintendo Switch with new games as part of a new lineup, Console Archives. While initially launching on the PlayStation 4, the Arcade Archives series arrived on the Nintendo Switch at the system's launch, offering players newly preserved versions of arcade and Neo Geo classics. These new versions also include noteworthy gameplay enhancements, such as online play for select multiplayer games, support for multiple save slots, and a rewind feature.
Since the brand's arrival on the Switch, almost the entire lineup of Arcade Archives has been made available on Nintendo’s platform. To the surprise of publisher Hamster Corporation, Nintendo has even licensed out its own arcade classics for release under the brand, with the stipulation that they remain exclusive to Nintendo's hardware. Arcade Archives has continued to release across later platforms, with a brand-new lineup in Arcade Archives 2 arriving alongside the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
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New Arcade Archives and Console Archives Games Confirmed During Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase
During the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, the newest title in the Arcade Archives series was announced, alongside the brand’s latest initiative, Console Archives. Alongside the reveal that Rave Racer, the third installment in the Ridge Racer series, would release as part of Arcade Archives on February 26, Console Archives made its debut with the releases of the PlayStation game Cool Boarders and the NES game Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos, available today on Nintendo Switch 2. The former retails for $11.99, while the latter retails for $7.99.
Alongside these games, Console Archives will also see the re-release of 1986’s Doraemon, a Famicom game based on the popular Japanese manga franchise that had never been released in America before. The Nintendo Direct also highlighted that 1996’s Sonic Wings Special, a vertical-scrolling shooter for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, will join the lineup at a later date. While not highlighted to nearly the same extent, the Nintendo Direct did show that the NES game Nobunaga’s Ambition and the PlayStation game Monster Rancher: Hop-A-Bout will also join the lineup at some point.
The Console Archives series furthers Hamster Corporation’s efforts to preserve classic games by widening the reach of potential titles. By adding console games to its library of re-releases without the need for a subscription, Hamster Corporation is creating its own version of Nintendo’s Virtual Console service, where players can buy whichever classic games they choose. Considering that Arcade Archives has also added features such as network play, save slots, and rewind, offering those with classic console games will make them even more approachable to new players.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
The announcement that original PlayStation titles such as Sonic Wings Special and Monster Rancher: Hop-A-Bout will be part of Console Archives also showcases that the lineup will not be limited to early console games from before the 3D era. Even with a focus on classic games, Console Archives could inevitably expand its reach by preserving some modern games that have gone out of circulation. Considering Nintendo’s willingness to license its arcade games, perhaps Hamster will even have the opportunity to re-release some of Nintendo’s console classics outside of the Nintendo Switch Online service.
- Released
- April 6, 1990
- Developer(s)
- Tecmo
- Publisher(s)
- Tecmo
- Franchise
- Ninja Gaiden
