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Nintendo Switch plays GameCube and N64 games -- with a hack

It could offer a vision of Nintendo's upcoming online service.

Sean Keane Former Senior Writer
Sean knows far too much about Marvel, DC and Star Wars, and poured this knowledge into recaps and explainers on CNET. He also worked on breaking news, with a passion for tech, video game and culture.
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Sean Keane
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Perhaps we'll be able to legitimately add N64 and GameCube games to our Nintendo Switch home menus one day?

David Carnoy/CNET

A hacker got N64 and GameCube games to run on Nintendo's Switch and posted videos of the results

On Thursday, game modder @_Mizumi showed off the N64's Pokemon Snap, the GameCube's beloved Super Smash Bros. Melee and the Game Boy Advance's Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney running on the portable console, with mixed results.

Pokemon Snap seems to run smoothly in a silent clip. Smash Bros. has no sound and runs slowly. Phoenix Wright runs well but with no sound.

It's possible that Nintendo's Switch Online service, which goes live in September, will eventually offer some N64 and  GameCube  games because the company has confirmed that Switch won't be getting a Virtual Console.

In Japan, Nintendo has been gearing up for the launch by packing a 90-day free trial of the online service with a Switch bundle that will go on sale there later this month.

In May, a trademark application hinted that Nintendo is planning to release an N64 Classic following the success of its NES Classic and SNES Classic.

Last week, Nintendo shareholders gave the company's new president, Shuntaro Furukawa, a 96.5 percent approval rating.

If you're looking for something to play on your Switch right now, check out our list of the console's 18 best games.

20 games we want on the N64 Classic

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