The recent discovery of Game Boy emulation software for the Nintendo Switch struck up rumors of Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles being added to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription in the future. Discourse surrounding the revelation has stirred up some old Nintendo Switch Online rumors that are now proving to be relevant. The rumors had to do with Game Boy and Nintendo 64 interactivity, the emulation of what was once known as the Transfer Pak, and it now seems to be increasingly accurate.The initial rumors regarding Nintendo adding Game Boy and Nintendo 64 game interactivity originates from frequent Nintendo leaker Emily Rogers in late 2021. Rogers was discussing the Nintendo Switch Online service's addition of Nintendo 64 games, saying that it would have a "much stronger library" than the Wii and Wii U's Virtual Console. She also mentioned hearing "tiny whispers" of Pokemon Stadium support being added and that it could be related to Game Boy support being added, functionality she says Nintendo had been working on since 2020.While Rogers suspected that Game Boy and Nintendo 64 connectivity could be a possible feature down the line, she did not claim to have a source confirming the addition. However, VideoGameChronicle has now been able to follow up on the possibility. The outlet says it has spoken to dataminer LuigiBlood about the Nintendo Switch Online's Nintendo 64 app, who confirmed that there is now code referencing the Transfer Pak within the app.
Unfortunately, the Transfer Pak code is limited. There's only the ability to turn the Transfer Pak on and off, and no further code referencing individual game support. In other words, while the functionality looks like it's being considered, there's no indication that it's ready or that Nintendo has immediate plans to release games utilizing the Transfer Pak functionality.
At this point, there's a lot of rumor built on rumor to consider. Nintendo hasn't officially announced support for the Game Boy coming to Nintendo Switch Online or its Expansion Pass yet. That makes it difficult to ascertain whether it's realistic for the Transfer Pak to be supported in the future. At the very least, there seems to be evidence indicating it's a possibility.
The Transfer Pak for the Nintendo 64 worked with over dozen Game Boy and Game Boy Color games after it was released in 1998. Those games include Pokemon Stadium and Pokemon Stadium 2, which allowed players to battle their Game Boy Pokemon on Nintendo 64. It also supported games including Mario Golf and Mario Tennis, both of which are currently available in the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass. It's going to be very interesting to see what Nintendo announces during its next Nintendo Direct.
Source: VideoGamesChronicle