Nintendo began working with Nvidia several years ago, when the consolemaker was looking for a company to provide a graphical kick for their “NX” concept. In time, the NX would be revealed as the Nintendo Switch, and Nvidia confirmed the console would be powered by its popular Tegra chip. Today, Nintendo returned the favor in a surprising announcement to come out of China.
Speaking to Engadget, Nvidia has revealed that Nintendo will release remastered versions of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Punch-Out!! for the Nvidia Shield microconsole in China. Other games from Nintendo’s GameCube and Wii catalogs will be released for the Shield in the future… including Super Mario Galaxy.
Extending the business relationship that brought Nvidia technology to Nintendo Switch, some of Nintendo’s most beloved Wii and Nintendo GameCube titles are officially headed to China for the first time. New Super Mario Bros. Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Punch-Out!! are remastered in 1080p and available on the China version of Nvidia Shield, released today.
Because the Shield is so similar to the Switch, this deal might give us a window into Nintendo plans for its back catalog on the Switch. But that’s conversation for another time.
