Talking with Inverse, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has stated a number of issues in regards to the firm’s technique for shifting to an inevitable successor to the Change. Of the notable issues he stated about it, one about Nintendo accounts is especially intriguing.

“However one factor we’ve accomplished with the Change to assist with that communication and transition is the formation of the Nintendo Account,” Bowser instructed Inverse. “Up to now, each machine we transitioned to had a complete new account system. Creating the Nintendo Account will enable us to speak with our gamers if and once we make a transition to a brand new platform, to assist ease that course of or transition.”

That’s probably not affirmation on something, however its potential that means is backed up by his further assertion: “Our aim is to attenuate the dip you sometimes see within the final yr of 1 cycle and the start of one other.” Bowser makes it clear that he isn’t commenting on rumors in regards to the platform, nevertheless it actually appears like he’s hinting on the continuity of digital libraries. Perhaps. I’m speculating, however I don’t understand how else to interpret it.

Prime of my wishlist

On the absolute high of my wishlist for a successor to the Change is backward compatibility. To be honest, that’s often on the high of my wishlist for any console. I solely have a lot area round my TV to be hooking up consoles, and proper now, I’ve (one, two…) 11 totally different consoles hooked as much as my TV, which isn’t counting my Sega CD and 32X as separate units. 

On high of that, I often amass a giant library for a console, each bodily and digitally, and I wish to hold them. That is particularly vital to me since Nintendo likes to close down its barely outdated storefronts with out preserving entry to older titles. Video video games shouldn’t be ephemera.

So, whereas Bowser’s quote isn’t a agency affirmation of backward compatibility, it a minimum of provides me hope that Nintendo will protect the Change’s library to no matter platform they transfer onto subsequent. I’m additionally bracing for deep disappointment. It’s Nintendo. They do bizarre, consumer-unfriendly issues on a regular basis.

Talking of which, it’s humorous listening to him tout Nintendo Accounts as in the event that they’re a brand new factor. Through the Wii U and 3DS days, there was the Nintendo Community ID, which was dropped wholesale in favor of the Nintendo Account. So, already having an account framework doesn’t counsel permanence on the subject of Nintendo. It additionally didn’t with Sony, nor with Microsoft, although, they’re considerably higher with it.

We’re simply going to have to attend and see when Nintendo lastly will get round to revealing their new gewgaw, as they wouldn’t affirm its existence within the interview. Nevertheless, Bowser has a minimum of given us extra motive to be optimistic. Hope for the very best, and plan for the worst, as they are saying.