The upcoming Nintendo Switch console won’t be able to play discs, but it appears that this won’t stop it from playing classic GameCube titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Luigi‘s Mansion. A new report from Eurogamer has stated that the system will support GameCube software through the Virtual Console system first introduced on the Wii.
Thus far, Eurogamer reported that three games have already been “prepped for Switch” — Luigi’s Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Melee is a large reason behind Nintendo’s support of a GameCube Virtual Console, as the company wants the competitive scene to continue into the future — a GameCube controller adapter for the Switch is also being discussed.
The next game reportedly being tested for inclusion in the GameCube Virtual Console is the original Animal Crossing, and testing is also occurring to ensure that the additional NES games included in the original GameCube release are working as intended in the Switch environment.
For those who purchased Virtual Console games on the Wii U, there will apparently be an “upgrade” program for the Switch to allow users to transfer their games to the new system for a less-than-full-price fee.
Nintendo has shown a commitment to supporting Wii U games on the Switch so far, as well, but these don’t actually appear to be the exact same games available on the struggling console — Splatoon and Mario Kart 8, for instance, both appear to include new Switch-specific features. The exception appears to be The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which looks to be functionally identical on both platforms.
What GameCube games would you like to play on the Nintendo Switch? Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Battalion Wars could both be good choices, as they were originally designed as “home console” versions of previously handheld-based series.
Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 finally has a US release date and price, several months after the company first showed off the handheld in May. The highlight is the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip inside, which has been adopted by only a couple of other consoles besides the Atlas 8. This version will go on sale exclusively at Best Buy on November 1 for $1,299.99.
Acer originally said the Atlas 8 would arrive in North America in October, but left pricing open at the time. The launch came amid the ongoing DRAM crunch, which has made memory more expensive across the PC industry and complicated pricing for hardware makers.
Gaming laptops and I have a complicated relationship. One of my first gaming rigs was an Acer Predator that was already outdated when I bought it. I was a broke college kid, and that was the best I could afford. So trying out high-end gaming laptops is always fun. But ASUS' ROG Zephyrus G14 is a lot more than a laptop that can run AAA games. It is portable, so you're not lugging around a 2.5kg machine everywhere you go. It is built well, none of that plastic chassis, and can even function as a normal laptop outside of just gaming.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.