Nintendo gjør et overraskende trekk: Fjerning av første spill fra Switch Online Library

Nintendo’s Switch Online service has long been a favorite for fans of classic games, providing a vast library of 8-bit and 16-bit titles from systems like the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and even the Sega Mega Drive/ Genesis. Over the years, the service has seen the re-release of hundreds of retro games, adding to its collection without taking anything away. However, in an unexpected move, Nintendo has announced that it will remove a game for the first time: Super Formation Soccer, known outside of Japan as Super Soccer. This marks the first major change to the library since its debut.

A First for Switch Online

Launched in 2018, Nintendo’s Switch Online service has been a go-to platform for subscribers to revisit classic titles across a range of beloved retro systems. With more than 315 games spanning various consoles like NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and even Sega’s Mega Drive, the library has been a growing treasure trove for gamers. But now, for the first time, a game will be removed from the catalog. Super Formation Soccer will be delisted from the Super Famicom (SNES) library on March 28. This game is available to Switch Online members in Japan (or to international users who download it from the Japanese eShop), but the removal has not yet been announced for the Western regions.

While the Western version of the game, Super Soccer, remains available in the North American and European SNES libraries, there has been no official confirmation if it will also be removed. Fans are left wondering whether the delisting of the Japanese version is tied to the game's publisher history. While Super Soccer was published by Nintendo in the West, the Japanese version, Super Formation Soccer, was released by Human Entertainment, a company now defunct, with the intellectual property seemingly held by Spike Chunsoft.

A Wake-Up Call for Switch Online Subscribers

The removal of Super Formation Soccer is more than just a rare event – it’s a reminder that Nintendo’s Switch Online service is not an eternal archive. While first-party Nintendo games are likely to remain on the platform, third-party titles could eventually face removal. This delisting serves as the first indication that the library, which many gamers considered a permanent repository of retro classics, may not be as unchanging as they hoped.

This is a significant departure from the Virtual Console, which operated on a different model. The Virtual Console, available on Wii, Wii U, and 3DS, allowed players to purchase individual retro games, ensuring they could still access them even if they were delisted later. In contrast, Switch Online’s subscription model means that if a game is removed, subscribers will lose access to it, and no refunds are offered.

Hideki Kamiya Responds to the Removal

Image Credit: Atomix

Hideki Kamiya, the former PlatinumGames co-founder and current founder of Clover Studio, expressed his frustration on social media, criticizing the decision to remove games from the subscription service. Kamiya, who frequently shares his love for classic games, tweeted, "Hey hey hey, I guess subscriptions are no good after all. Seriously, bring back the Virtual Console… don’t be so mean."

While Kamiya’s comments reflect the disappointment many fans feel about losing access to a game they once enjoyed, it’s worth noting that the Virtual Console itself faced similar issues. Many games were delisted from the service over the years, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yoshi’s Cookie, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, and Final Fight 1-3. However, because those games were purchased individually, anyone who had bought them before they were removed could still play them. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with Super Formation Soccer on Switch Online. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

What This Means for the Future of Switch Online

Nintendo’s decision to remove a game for the first time signals that Switch Online subscribers should not take the catalog for granted. While Nintendo is known for keeping its first-party titles on platforms for long periods, third-party games may not have the same level of permanence. Gamers will have to keep an eye on the service for future delistings, as it’s now clear that games can be removed without warning.

For now, the fate of Super Soccer in the Western markets remains unclear, but the loss of Super Formation Soccer marks a new chapter in the ongoing evolution of Nintendo’s retro gaming platform. It may not be the last game to disappear, and it serves as a reminder to fans that the classics they love may not always be available on-demand.

So, if you’re a fan of Super Formation Soccer, you’d better start playing now before it’s too late. As for the rest of us, we’ll be keeping an eye on Nintendo’s future decisions, hoping that this is just a one-off case and that the beloved classics will continue to be available for years to come.

In the meantime, don’t forget to enjoy the ever-expanding library of Switch Online games – and maybe grab a few favorites before they disappear. After all, who knows what’s next on the chopping block?