Nirvanna The Band, composed of Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol, rose to fame with comedic shorts and a TV show, capped off by a feature film. One of their most enduring creations is the "Update Day" song, a bossa nova tribute to the Wii's Virtual Console updates. Recently, a fan took it upon themselves to update this nostalgic jingle to only include games available on the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service, shedding light on the differences between the two platforms.

The updated song, as highlighted by Harris Foster on Twitter, retains classics like F-Zero, ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron, and Donkey Kong Jr. Math, but abruptly ends at points where games are no longer available on NSO. This edit not only serves as a nostalgic trip but also as a commentary on the NSO's more limited retro offerings compared to the Virtual Console's vast, one-time purchase library, which included deeper cuts from the Turbografx, Neo Geo, MSX, Commodore 64, and arcade platforms.

About the Update and NSO Limitations

The Nintendo Switch Online service, part of a paid subscription bundle, offers a curated collection of retro games from NES through GameCube, plus Sega Genesis titles. While it's praised for its convenience as a freebie with subscription, NSO has faced criticism for its limited catalog, especially when compared to the Virtual Console's breadth. The edited "Update Day" song visually (or rather, audibly) represents this gap, with abrupt endings where series like Ninja Gaiden and Adventures of Lolo would have once been named.

A deeper dive into the omissions reveals a complex picture. Certain games, such as Mega Turrican, Fatal Fury, and surprisingly, Dig Dug (but not its sequel), are absent from NSO but available elsewhere on the eShop. This suggests NSO's library is shaped by publisher deals, with noticeable omissions potentially reserved for standalone releases or remasters, such as Super Mario RPG and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Fan Engagement and the Legacy of Nirvanna The Band

The fan's update of "Update Day" not only highlights the community's engagement with Nirvanna The Band's work but also the enduring nostalgia for the Virtual Console era. Nirvanna The Band's content, including the aforementioned song and sketches like "genderless burger experience," continues to be beloved. Matt Johnson's success as a director, with projects like Blackberry, an Anthony Bourdain biopic, and a Magic: The Gathering film in development, alongside the unexpected hit Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, further cements their impact on pop culture.

"lol someone on Reddit made the Nirvanna the Band Update Day video but only with games currently on the Nintendo Switch Online service. www.reddit.com/r/nirvannath…"

Harris Foster, Twitter

Johnson's personal project, basing a film on Chrono Trigger (available on Virtual Console but not NSO), underscores the fan base's desire for broader retro access. The updated "Update Day" song, in essence, becomes a community-driven commentary on the evolution (or lack thereof) of Nintendo's retro game distribution strategy.

What This Means for Players and Collectors

The fan-edited "Update Day" song serves as more than just a nostalgic remix; it's a beacon highlighting the community's wishes for a more comprehensive retro gaming experience on the Switch. For collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts, it underscores the need to either hold onto older consoles or seek out titles through other means (where available). The contrast between the Virtual Console's library and NSO's curated approach sparks a broader discussion on the future of retro game preservation and accessibility.

As Nintendo and other platforms navigate the waters of game preservation and subscription services, fan creations like this updated song remind us of the emotional investment in these retro titles and the desire for effortless access to gaming history.

ℹ️ Note: The original "Update Day" song and its update can be found on the referenced Reddit thread for a direct comparison of the Virtual Console and NSO libraries.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

  • A fan has updated Nirvanna The Band's "Update Day" song to reflect games available on Nintendo Switch Online.
  • The update highlights the more limited retro game library of NSO compared to the Wii's Virtual Console.
  • NSO's catalog is influenced by publisher agreements, with some titles available only through the eShop or potentially saved for future releases.
  • The community's engagement with this update reflects a broader desire for more comprehensive retro gaming access on the Switch.

As the gaming community looks to the future of retro accessibility, creations like the updated "Update Day" song will continue to spark necessary conversations about preservation and the value of nostalgic gaming experiences.