Nintendo looks set to bring SNES to Nintendo Switch
Nintendo seeking regulatory approval for retro controller
Nintendo is planning to release SNES-style controllers for Nintendo Switch, according to filings lodged with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
As spotted by ResetEra user Link83, the FCC documentation includes a picture of the back of a wireless controller, along with the “HAC” model number used to signify Switch hardware and accessories.
Nintendo previously released NES-style controllers for use with Nintendo Switch Online’s library of NES titles, which can be charged by attaching them to the console.
The fact that Nintendo is seeking regulatory approval for the release of SNES-style controllers in the US will raise expectations that it’s due to add SNES games to the Switch Online service.
Over 10 million Nintendo account holders have signed up to Nintendo Switch Online, according to the platform holder, which has said it’s considering extending the service’s games library beyond the currently offered NES titles to other legacy platforms.
At the moment, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers have access to a regularly updated selection of NES games, which can be played at any time as long as the player retains their Switch Online subscription.
During Nintendo’s 79th AGM in June, president Shuntaro Furukawa was asked specifically if the company has plans to re-release Nintendo 64 and GameCube software.
“At this place we cannot tell new information about future classic hardware among others, but we are thinking about providing an extension of the online service which is currently providing Famicom [NES] software, as well as other methods of providing them,” he said. “We also recognise that there are opinions wanting to play past titles.”
VGC has contacted Nintendo for comment on the FCC filings.
Nintendo recently announced that NES games Kung-Fu Heroes and Vice: Project Doom will be available for Switch Online subscribers to play from August 21.
Nintendo released the NES Classic Edition and the SNES Classic Edition miniature consoles in November 2016 and September 2017 respectively. It said in October 2018 that combined global sales of the retro systems had topped 10 million units.
