In 2018, Nintendo made a big change. They retired the Virtual Console, which had let players download classic games on Wii and Wii U. Instead, they shifted to a subscription model with time-limited access to a selection of games via Nintendo Switch Online. Now, Hamster Corporation is stepping in to fill that gap. They’re offering retro console games for direct purchase on the new Switch 2.
Recently, during a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Hamster announced their new Console Archives line. This lineup features classic games available for download. The first two titles are the original PlayStation snowboarding game Cool Boarders priced at $12 and the NES classic Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos for $8. More titles, including Doraemon and Sonic Wings Special, are set to come out soon.
Hamster Corporation might ring a bell since they’re known for the Arcade Archive series. This series has been around since 2014 and allows players to buy and play classic arcade games on modern consoles. They celebrated their 500th release last December, featuring some classic Nintendo arcade titles that never made it to the Virtual Console.
Hamster aims to faithfully reproduce beloved games from various home consoles, making them accessible on new hardware. While these offerings may not have all the bells and whistles of detailed game collections from companies like Digital Eclipse, they still provide some handy features. Players can customize button layouts, adjust screen settings, and save or load their game at any time.
According to a recent survey by game industry analysts, 78% of gamers aged 25-40 express a strong interest in classic games, highlighting a growing trend for retro titles among players. This trend has been fueled by nostalgia and the desire to revisit simpler gaming experiences.
As gaming evolves, companies like Hamster are bringing back that nostalgia while adapting it for modern platforms. This could reshape how we experience gaming history, making it possible to enjoy the classics we loved in our youth, right alongside the latest hits.
