> “seeing Nintendo do this is a little disheartening”, adding: “You would hope that a company that big, that has such a storied history, would take preservation a little more seriously.”
I don't see why preservation (outside their own archives) would be a goal for Nintendo. The reality seems to be the opposite: They'd like the branding and memory of old games to be preserved, but please not the game itself - because then they can re-release it for every new system as a "remastered" variant.
> they can re-release it for every new system as a "remastered" variant
Nintendo's strategy seems to be working. For example, I seem to have purchased Super Mario Bros 3 multiple times, in physical and digital form, for multiple systems (Wii, 3DS, Wii U ...), and I'm also renting it as part of Nintendo Switch Online.
On the up side, I don't have any problem emulating it. Actually all of those versions are emulated, come to think of it.
I don't see why preservation (outside their own archives) would be a goal for Nintendo. The reality seems to be the opposite: They'd like the branding and memory of old games to be preserved, but please not the game itself - because then they can re-release it for every new system as a "remastered" variant.