The Nintendo Switch Online isn’t a well-liked service, as evidenced by the dislikes on one of the subscription service’s YouTube trailers. However, it could start improving its reputation if it expands its offerings, which might be happening soon.
According to Trash_Bandatcoot, someone has leaked the official Game Boy emulator files for the Nintendo Switch on 4chan. The said files contain references to “Hiyoko” and “Sloop”, the codenames for the Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced emulator, respectively. The same source claims that the Nintendo Europe Research and Development (NERD) team led the development of both emulators.
In addition to confirming the emulator’s existence, Trash_Bandatcoot claims both emulators function well enough save for a couple of hiccups. Unfortunately, we can no longer find the video that contains footage of the emulators running.
So Nintendo's official Game Boy Advance emulator for the Nintendo Switch just leaked. Now it's just a matter of waiting for NSO to add GBA. pic.twitter.com/mEJcKrRtzL
— MaxiBash (@trashbandatcoot) April 18, 2022
The Nintendo Switch Online currently gives its subscribers access to a library of classic titles from older Nintendo consoles like the NES and the SNES, among others. After bringing N64 and Sega Genesis games to the Nintendo Switch via the heavily criticized Expansion Pack, the logical next step for the console manufacturer is the Game Boy family of consoles.
Absent an official announcement from Nintendo, all we can go on, for now, are leaks. The good news is that we should hear more from Nintendo soon as the company is expected to hold another Direct showcase in June and/or September.
In other news, Nintendo is currently missing another big AAA project for late 2022. After delaying the Breath of the Wild sequel, fans have nothing else to look forward to except the two upcoming mainline Pokemon games. However, some believe that Nintendo will fill this vacant slot in its slate with Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, a sequel to 2017’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
