Nintendo Switch Online Expansion (N64)

 This is going to be part one of covering multiple aspects of the new Nintendo Switch Online expansion pass, since there are multiple pieces, the Nintendo 64, Genesis, and upcoming Animal Crossing DLC. Instead of cramming each piece into one long posts, I decided to put them all into pieces and cover them, plus I have an interesting idea for the Genesis aspect that I will share later. For now I am going to dive into the Nintendo 64 aspect of this expansion and ask. Is it worth 30 dollars more? Let's fire up some old classics and let's find out.

The single player runs fine but the button mapping does not have enough options. Some games often feel cramped, while others feel just fine. But for the price point other options seem like an easy addition that would not take too long, so more people can enjoy the game.

Next up even in single player some of the games do not perform at their best, audio issues, input lag, and sometimes even graphical hiccups. This would be all fine and good if this was not such a huge price point upgrade. Some games run better then others, but even then with the audio issues it can be straight up distracting. With lack of control, and some issues that can really take people away from the fun that these classic games provide.

Another issue lies in the multiplayer where the lag and audio magnifies. I have seen several video demonstrations as well as live streams showing that even games like Mario Tennis that is over twenty years old sound like a magnet is being run over the speakers. The games have lag, and input lag as well which should not be a problem when these games ran fine on the Wii U.

The Wii U had its own issues in translating certain games but also had button options, and each one ran well. The emulation software on this program for the Switch needs to be updated, because even though there are some neat bells and whistles in this expansion pass, the price is more then doubled. For one person it is a 150 percent price increase, and asking for that on a yearly scale, means that for those who want to pay should be given something that runs well. 

I hope this gets fixed, but if not I think I will be going back to Wii U because of the control options and the fact that the games ran better. There were control options and better emulation software on the last console, so this is baffling and inexcusable, if not fixed I am more then fine dropping this program. I could use the money and get not just N64 but also Wii Games, DS games, and even GBA games on the Wii u, where the games will actually run as intended.

This needs to be fixed soon, and needs to be addressed, lag, input lag, and audio hiccups should not be allowed at any but especially not this price point. On hardware that should be able to run it just fine if more attention was put into. For now save your money, this needs more time, more titles not released in a bottle neck fashion like the NES and SNES, and more attention put into it. If you want a better experience, find a remake, the original hardware or a virtual console port of these great games. 

But if you do get this, single player has some issues, but less issues. Issues none the less but some that can be ignored and enjoyable. If you pick this service up, stick to single player.