Nintendo Shares Details on Switch eShop, Virtual Console, Funds Wallet

No GameCube titles on your morning commute for a while.

Nintendo hasn’t shared much information on the Switch’s eShop until today. We knew the Virtual Console would be bringing GameCube games to a new gen console for the first time ever, but we didn’t know if we’d get those at launch. Nintendo has now shed some light on these mysteries in a press release.

Today, Nintendo confirmed the eShop will be available at launch on March 3^rd via a system update. We learned this recently from a leaked Switch UI video, but now Nintendo has told us officially. They assured players the update will install quickly in the background of gameplay.

If you have money in a Nintendo account on another device, you can use those funds in the Switch eShop. To do this, Nintendo said you must link your Nintendo Network ID and Nintendo Account, and then your Nintendo Account to your Switch system. This series of linking profiles will enable you to access a “wallet” shared between Nintendo devices to which your account is linked.

Sadly, the Virtual Console will not be ready at launch. We suspected as much, but hearing it is still a bummer. Nintendo said they would provide players with more information as soon as they are able.

In addition to the eShop, Switch players will be also be able to purchase digital versions of games on Nintendo.com. Once purchased online, the games will download automatically on the Switch system as long as it has a wifi connection. That means games can be downloaded either at home or on the go.

The press release also noted the News app on the Home screen, which will provide information on the latest eShop additions as well as any available updates for both games and the system as a whole.

We’ll keep you updated on the latest Switch news leading up to and after its release on March 3rd.