Nintendo Switch requires day one update to access eShop

Nintendo today confirmed that a day one update is required to access the eShop on the Nintendo Switch console.

When the Switch hybrid-handheld console launches on March 3, it won't be able to actually download games on the eShop without an update. Nintendo affirms these system updates are highly optimized and un-intrusive, allowing users to download system firmware updates in the background while playing games.

"To access Nintendo eShop, a system update that will be available on launch day is required. The system update downloads in the background, is designed to install quickly and doesn't disrupt gameplay," the Japanese console-maker revealed in a recent press release.

Nintendo also confirmed that the Switch won't have Virtual Console game support when it launches.

This is a pretty big blow considering the Switch was believed to have Gamecube Virtual Console capability. This effectively means the Switch won't have access to the array of NES, SNES, DS and N64 classics available on the VC service when it releases.

Of course it's only a matter of time before the Switch gets Virtual Console games, but I can't say I'm not bummed they won't be out at launch!

The Nintendo Switch launches on March 3, 2017 for $299. Check below for a massive catalog of info:

Everything we know about the Nintendo Switch:

• Nintendo Switch runs cool, about 37C under load
• Nintendo Switch has 25.9 GB available memory, OS is 4GB
• Nintendo Switch may use 4GB LPDDR4 1600MHz RAM
• Early Nintendo Switch consoles were actually stolen
• Nintendo won't make you rebuy eShop games on the Switch
• Nintendo Switch 480p downscale hint at Gamecube VC games
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be a playground of fun
• Satoru Iwata put lots of effort into the Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch supports wireless Bluetooth headsets
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild has $20 season pass
• Nintendo Switch uses 20nm Maxwell Tegra SoC
• Nintendo Switch easy for devs, light years past Wii U
• Hitman dev may be working on new IP for Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch could get Wii U game remasters
• 3DS supported alongside Switch 'for the time being'
• Devs can 'easily' port PC games to the Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch JoyCons have 525mAh lithium ion battery
• Nintendo Switch is the gamer's dream, says Hideo Kojima
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild is about doing things your way
• Nintendo Switch has over 100 games in development
• Nintendo Switch paid online service only costs $26 a year
• Nintendo Switch appeals to Japanese smartphone gamers
• New Zelda is based on three words 'climb, live, protect'
• EA: Nintendo listening to third-party Switch game devs
• First footage of Nintendo Switch's touchscreen in action
• Nintendo Switch games lineup: a visual guide
• Nintendo Switch replaces Wii U on Nintendo homesite
• Nintendo Switch battery life analysis
• Resident Evil 7 isn't coming to Nintendo Switch
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Hyrule is bigger than Skyrim
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild has an awesome physics engine
• Switch's 4310mAh battery takes 3 hours to fully recharge
• Could the Nintendo Switch's hit full potential and boost CPU/GPU power via NVIDIA's cloud servers
• Nintendo Switch will have 'steady pacing of content'
• Switch is all about 'playing games anywhere with anyone'
• Nintendo Switch will have 'steady pacing of content'
• Putting Nintendo Switch launch games into perspective
• Stock Nintendo Switch JoyConGrip won't recharge JoyCons
• The new Zelda game takes up nearly half Switch's storage
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild runs at 900p 30FPS docked, 720p 30FPS undocked
• Nintendo Switch supports 2TB Micro SDXC cards
• Nintendo Switch online chat requires smartphone app
• Here's why Nintendo Switch doesn't come with any games
• Nintendo will soon charging gamers to play online multiplayer via subscription service
• Nintendo Switch UI revealed, let's take a closer look
• Nintendo Switch touchscreen has haptic feedback tech
• Nintendo stock drops after Switch unveil event
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch runs at 1080p when docked
• Nintendo Switch hardware specs revealed
• Nintendo Switch costs $299, coming March 3
• Nintendo Switch battery life is 2.5 hours to 6 hours
• New Mario: Odyssey game won't be Nintendo Switch launch title
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild is Switch launch game