For the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS platforms, Nintendo's solution for offering old games from a range of long-dead hardware was the Virtual Console. It allowed games from different systems to be run in their original forms using an emulator. With the launch of the Switch, Nintendo remained quiet about when a Virtual Console would launch for the hybrid console. Now it turns out we aren't getting one.

Nintendo decided not to develop a Virtual Console for the Switch, which means those gamers with libraries of VC games on Nintendo's other platforms have no chance of importing the emulated titles on to the Switch.

As Polygon reports, instead of a Virtual Console offering games you pay for individually, Nintendo is going to link retro game access to the Switch Online Service. This is why at launch subscribers get 20 NES titles to play. After that, the library will expand.

The knock-on effect of this decision is we can expect more game compilations from the different publishers. And publishers must have known this was coming. Sega is already planning to bring the Sega Ages line back for Switch, while Capcom, SNK, and Square Enix will be releasing collections of 8-bit and 16-bit games on Nintendo's platform.

So rather than a Virtual Console, Switch owners will get a growing library of classic Nintendo games as part of their Switch Online membership. Alongside that, we can pick and choose between the collections of retro games publishers release. It actually sounds as though this method of accessing the games could end up being cheaper than the Virtual Console, which charged anything up to $10 per game.

For those with a very healthy library of Virtual Console games, be sure to look after your old consoles and handhelds. For now, it looks as though you'll need them to keep working to access your VC titles.