How to play old pokemon games on switch? If you are a fan of the Pokemon classics and you are wondering if you will be able to play them on the newer Nintendo Switch console — this is for you!
In the following sections, we will discuss how to play old Pokemon games on Switch and the different titles that are available. So, dust off your old Game Boy cartridges, and let’s get started!
Can You Play Old Pokemon Games on Switch?
No, you can’t. The Nintendo Switch does not natively support playing old Pokemon games, such as those from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and the original Pokemon Snap. However, there are other ways you play old pokemon games and still get the best experience, for example using an emulator.
The fans of Pokemon games speculate that the capabilities may come to the Switch soon since the Game Boy catalog of games was added to the Nintendo Switch Online library recently.
However, Nintendo has yet to officially announce that old Pokemon games will be supported on Switch consoles. Pokemon game lovers would have to find other means to enjoy the combination of nostalgia on their next-gen consoles.
How to Play Old Pokemon Games on Nintendo Switch?
The easiest way to play old pokemon games on Nintendo is via the 3DS. The Nintendo 3DS family has the largest library of Pokemon games available for you to play. If you can access a Nintendo 3DS console, you will be to play the classic games and relive the experience.
You can play Pokemon games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance on the 3DS using the Virtual Console service.
Use 3DS Virtual Console to Play Old Pokemon Games
The 3DS Virtual Console is a platform Nintendo built to allow players to relive the experience of playing classic titles, like Pokemon games, from their defunct consoles.
To access these classic and old games, you have to download them from the Nintendo eShop on your 3DS console.
Some of the Pokemon games available on the 3DS Virtual Console include:
- Pokemon Red
- Pokemon Blue
- Pokemon Yellow
- Pokemon Gold
- Pokemon Silver
- Pokemon Crystal
- Pokemon Ruby
- Pokemon Sapphire
To play these games on the 3DS, you will need to purchase and download them from the Nintendo eShop. Once downloaded, you can launch the game from the Home Menu and start playing.
New Exclusive Pokemon Games for the 3DS Virtual Console
In addition to the normal 3DS Virtual Console games, there are also several Pokemon games available exclusively for the 3DS. These include
- Pokemon X
- Pokemon Y
- Pokemon Omega Ruby
- Pokemon Alpha Sapphire
- Pokemon Sun
- Pokemon Moon
- Pokemon Ultra Sun
- Pokemon Ultra Moon
Bad News: Nintendo 3DS eShop Is Closing!
Unfortunately, the Nintendo 3DS eShop will close on March 27, 2023. After this date, it will no longer be possible to purchase or download any games, including Pokemon games, from the 3DS eShop. This means that if you haven’t already purchased your favorite Pokemon games, you should do so before the closure date.
It’s also worth noting that some of the Pokemon games available on the 3DS Virtual Console may also be available on other platforms, such as the Nintendo Switch Online service or emulators.
As mentioned earlier, downloading ROMs for games you do not own is illegal and should be avoided.
Are Old Pokemon Games Coming to the Nintendo Switch?
Probably. Some gamers believe that the closure of the eShop will make Nintendo provide with a way for Pokemon fans to play their beloved titles. This could mean they will release the classic Pokemon games for the Switch or make remastered versions for the next-gen console.
With the Nintendo eShop closing down soon, there will be no way for players to download or play old Pokemon games (previously they could play using the 3DS) Players will no longer be able to download or purchase old Pokemon games for the 3DS.
Can you play older Pokemon games on Nintendo Switch?
Pokemon fans have been fighting for this capability since the Nintendo Switch was first released. The Virtual Console has been a haven for fans of the older Pokemon games. The 3DS version allowed players to jump into the classics and play them as if it was a Game Boy at their fingertips.
The Nintendo Switch has no such capability at this point though. In regards to main series games, it only allows Sword and Shield and the Let’s Go series. That will soon change with the release of the Diamond and Pearl remakes.
New spin-off games, such as New Pokemon Snap and Pokemon Legends Arceus, are on the horizon too. They are expected to bring many fresh and exciting adventures, but nothing can top the experience, the sounds, and the joy, of the older Pokemon games.
There have been countless rumors of an upgraded Nintendo Switch console being made. That has also delivered countless rumors of a new Virtual Console being released to appease users who may not purchase the new Switch right away.
Nothing is official until Nintendo says so in an announcement. A Virtual Console that allows players to jump into classic games, such as the older ones in the Pokemon series, may never come. The demand is high enough that it makes sense to release it though.
Can you play classic Pokemon games on Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, you can play classic Pokemon games on Nintendo Switch Online, but as of September 2023, the catalog is quite limited.
Here are the Pokemon games you can play with the Nintendo Switch Online service:
- Pokemon Trading Card Game (GBC)
- Pokemon Stadium (N64) – NSO + Expansion Pack
- Pokemon Stadium 2 (N64) – NSO + Expansion Pack
- Pokemon Snap (N64) – NSO + Expansion Pack
- Pokemon Puzzle League (N64) – NSO + Expansion Pack
On August 8, 2023, the Pokemon Trading Card Game joined the list of available games through the Nintendo Switch Online service. You can now dive into the classic Game Boy Color title.
In addition, Pokemon Stadium 2 is also now available alongside the previously released Pokemon Stadium. Now’s a great time to battle it out with friends or enjoy the classic mini-games from the N64 games.
How to play Game Boy & Game Boy Advance games on NSO
For those who want to be ready in the event that mainline Pokemon games make it to the catalog, here’s what you need to know. The Game Boy content is available to all Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
The basic subscription tier also includes NES and SNES games from an expanding catalog, online multiplayer, cloud saves, voice chat, and more.
The Game Boy Advance and N64 catalog, on the other hand, are only available for NSO + Expansion Pack subscribers. This tier offers everything the basic subscription does and a collection of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis titles. Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ paid DLC, Happy Home Paradise, is also included in the Expansion Pack.
We’ll make sure to update this information if more classic Pokemon games make it to the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Can You Play Old Pokémon Games On Switch?
The former president of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime, confirmed that there would not be a Virtual Console coming to the switch, at least not in the planned future, when Nintendo finally detailed their plans for the online service of the switch in 2018.
He also stated that there were no plans to use the Virtual Console banner on the switch. The news that Nintendo will not be releasing a Virtual Console for the switch was breaking news at the time. The news was met with widespread disappointment.
For Those Interested In Playing Older Games On The Switch, Nintendo Provides Two Different Alternatives.
The first way is via Nintendo’s eShop, where various game publishers, including Nintendo, have begun publishing classic versions of games originally designed for other types of video game consoles and arcade machines, such as the Neo Geo. Blazing Star and Fatal Fury are just two of the many Neo Geo classics on the Nintendo eShop.
The Nintendo Online Service is the second option for downloading retro video games. This service offers a selection of Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games, such as the original Super Mario Bros. and Ice Climbers, as well as a new collection of Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games that was released in September 2019.
Regrettably, the year 2020 has come and gone without a release of a Nintendo 64 collection on the switch. Nevertheless, the year 2021 will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the system, so be on the lookout for prospective news at some point during this year.
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