Virtual Console

The Virtual Console is a Nintendo service for re-releasing digital versions of older games from discontinued video game platforms, usually for a cheaper price than the RRP (recommended retail price) of the original game and occasionally with enhancements (without altering the main original gameplay). The service also counters issues such as bit-rot/rust and save battery decay. Many of Nintendo's own IPs have been re-released through the service, and the Virtual Console is split into three versions (the Wii Shop Channel (discontinued), the Nintendo 3DS eShop, and the Wii U eShop) each offering a different variety of games and a slightly different emulator (such as non-promotional Game Boy Advance releases being exclusive to Wii U eShop).

The original emulator did not feature save states (officially referred to by Nintendo as "restore points" or "suspend points"), but later versions (included on the Nintendo 3DS eShop and Wii U eShop Virtual Console games) include support for one save state at a time. This feature was re-introduced for Nintendo's classic mini consoles and Nintendo Switch Online.