Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive feature baffles and angers fans

Nintendo fans are angered about a Switch 2 exclusive feature, and I can see why.

The arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 is nearly upon us, and those who managed to nab a pre-order are excited to experience what the new and improved system has to offer.

However, for those who were unable to get hold of the Nintendo Switch 2, have more than one reason to feel annoyed, that’s not necessarily due to not being able to acquire the console.

For example, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will have access to GameCube titles such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, but only on Nintendo Switch 2.

Even if you subscribe to this tier, you cannot play Nintendo GameCube games on the original Switch, despite it being an emulation, which could be due to performance issues.

What’s more, another feature locked behind the paywall of having to buy a Nintendo Switch 2, even if you’re a subscriber to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, has angered fans.

“Why are these Switch 2 exclusives?” exclaimed Redditor littleMAHER1.

The features that Nintendo is not allowing original Switch owners who still subscribe to the most expensive tier of its online service are a rewind function and a CRT filter for classic emulated games. But at least we get an option to view and change the controls.

PlayStation has similar features to its classic library for PS Plus Premium subscribers. However, it doesn't matter whether you play on PS5 or PS4; all subscribers of the Premium tier get those features. But both PlayStation consoles are more powerful than the original Switch.

There could very well be a genuine technical reason why the original Switch can't rewind games or have a CRT filter, but this is Nintendo we’re talking about, so we have a reason to be somewhat sceptical.

“Both rewind and the CRT filter are resource-intensive, and N64 emulation has always been a nightmare to do,” claimed Dukemon102, with Impressive_Regret363 responding, “CRT filter is resource-intensive, really?”

“As someone else said, passive recording [for rewind] takes processing power, and Switch 1 is quite old. Don't know how CRT filters work, so can't comment there,” said Kilroy_1541.

“It’s because the Nintendo Switch is a tablet using hardware from 10 years ago,” added N00PineappleOnPizza.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on 5 June 2025.