Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
Button mapping and other changes to the Game Boy Advance library on the Nintendo Switch Online service have been rolled out, and while Japan gets an additional game, this is not available in the west.
I’ve long considered the Nintendo Switch to be the best mass consumption retro gaming platform around. Nintendo clearly thinks so too, as it added not just support for one old platform, but all of them.
As part of the ongoing process of ensuring compatibility with old titles and quality of life improvements, Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy Advance library has just been upgraded with the following:
- New “Nintendo Classics” name
- A new boot sound (coin sound from Mario Advance)
- Button remapping
- New 1080p in handheld mode on Nintendo Switch 2
Furthermore, Japan-based subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online get Magical Vacation. Conversely, Nintendo 64 game Forsaken 64 has been added to the N64 app.
Button mapping upgrade brings GBA support in line with SNES
The Game Boy Advance app isn’t the only Nintendo Switch Online retro gaming platform that supports button mapping, however. You can change the button mapping on the N64 and on the GameCube app on Nintendo Switch 2. In addition, the SNES app has button mapping support too, which was added in July this year. A CRT filter was added at the same time.
What are the advantages of mapping buttons on Nintendo Switch?
Having the ability to customize controls is really important for modern gaming, especially if you’re using a controller that isn’t (or based on) the original device. It’s also an excellent option for anyone with accessibility requirements.
For example, take GoldenEye 007. When it eventually landed on the Nintendo Switch, it arrived with default controls that were absolutely terrible, but these could be reconfigured, mapping the buttons and thumbstick for gameplay more suited to the Switch controllers.
(Of course, that might be a strong case for using the original controller!)
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
