Nintendo Switch eShop JSON Reveals References to Virtual Console and Classic Platforms

Nintendo Switch eShop JSON Reveals References to Virtual Console and Classic Platforms In the ever-evolving landscape of Nintendo’s digital services, a recent discovery has spotlighted the enduring legacy of classic gaming platforms.

The Nintendo Switch, which launched in March 2017, has rapidly become a cornerstone for both modern and retro gaming enthusiasts.

Nintendo’s approach to retro content has traditionally involved the Virtual Console—a feature introduced during the Wii and 3DS eras that allowed players to purchase and enjoy classics from systems like the SNES and Game Boy.

With the advent of Nintendo Switch Online, the company shifted its strategy, integrating a library of curated classics for subscribers rather than offering single-game purchases. However, insights from the Nintendo Switch eShop's underlying JSON framework have raised fresh discussions among industry analysts and fans alike.

A recent community-led data review uncovered that the eShop's codebase references terms associated with major classic Nintendo hardware, including 'Virtual Console', ‘SNES’, ‘Game Boy’, ‘Game Boy Color’, ‘Nintendo 64’, ‘Game Boy Advance’, and ‘Nintendo DS’. So far, these categories within the eShop's backend architecture do not link to any publicly available items, reflecting the current absence of a full-fledged Virtual Console offering on the Switch.

For context, Reggie Fils-Aimé, former Nintendo of America president, previously indicated that Nintendo Switch Online would serve as a replacement for the Virtual Console service.

Yet, the discovery of these legacy terms in the system's code has prompted renewed curiosity about Nintendo’s plans for classic content distribution. Industry experts note that it’s not uncommon for digital storefronts to retain or repurpose code from past hardware generations.

For the Nintendo Switch, these references could merely be remnants from previous eShop versions, such as those designed for the 3DS, which contained similar categories.

At the time, these listings enabled players to access and purchase a broad selection of historical Nintendo titles, preserving the brand's rich gaming heritage and driving consistent eShop engagement. Despite the speculation, as of this writing, Nintendo has not officially announced plans to expand or reintroduce the Virtual Console platform on Nintendo Switch.

Instead, classic games are made available through Nintendo Switch Online’s platform-specific applications, such as the NES, Super NES, and Nintendo 64 libraries.

These apps continue to receive new additions regularly, with Nintendo reporting strong engagement from the service’s steadily growing subscriber base. Nintendo's commitment to celebrating its legacy remains evident, as seen through consistent updates to its Nintendo Switch Online offerings and enduring support for retro titles.

For now, fans and developers alike remain attentive to further developments, eagerly awaiting official statements or possible expansions to the Switch’s virtual classic game catalogue.

Nintendo Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Online Switch eShop Virtual Console SNES Game Boy Game Boy Color Nintendo 64 Game Boy Advance Nintendo DS Reggie Fils-Aimé