Hidden Nintendo Switch game suggests Virtual Console will get motion controls

Since the Wii, every Nintendo console has included a Virtual Console, which lets you buy and play retro games from old consoles. 

We know that one is coming to the Switch, but so far Nintendo hasn't confirmed exactly what form it's going to take. 

However, code unearthed by SwitchBrew has produced a NES game running on the Nintendo Switch, and interestingly the game appears to be included on literally every single console. 

Retro games meet motion control

According to the analysis, the game, called 'Flog', has existed on the console's firmware since version 1.0. It appears to be a version of the NES game 'Golf' which was originally released on the console in 1984. 

More interesting than the game being included on every console is the fact that it also appears to include motion controls, a first for a virtual console title. 

It's unclear where the game has come from or why Nintendo has included it on the system. We don't even know how the game would ever be launched on the console. 

However, if the code is legit (and with no way of verifying it ourselves, we can't be 100% sure that it is) then this suggests motion-controlled virtual console games are a possibility for the Switch. 

The latest rumors suggest that the Switch's virtual console is set to be its most expansive ever, adding GameCube games for the first time

However, with no official confirmation from Nintendo it's unclear when we'll find out the full details of the virtual console for ourselves. 

Jon Porter

Jon Porter is the ex-Home Technology Writer for TechRadar. He has also previously written for Practical Photoshop, Trusted Reviews, Inside Higher Ed, Al Bawaba, Gizmodo UK, Genetic Literacy Project, Via Satellite, Real Homes and Plant Services Magazine, and you can now find him writing for The Verge.

Latest in Nintendo Switch
Samus Aran leaping through space
Metroid Prime 4 tipped to be at the heart of April's Nintendo Switch 2 deep-dive
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics
Super Mario Odyssey played on a Nintendo Switch in portable mode
YouTuber seemingly reveals the first hands-on look at the Nintendo Switch 2 and its new magnetic Joy-Cons
Nintendo Switch Pro
To the surprise of absolutely no one, another new look at the Nintendo Switch 2 has seemingly leaked
Nintendo Switch 2
If the Switch 2 can't perform at the same level as the Z1 Extreme Asus ROG Ally even with Nvidia's DLSS, then Nintendo is in trouble
Nintendo Switch 2
New Nintendo Switch 2 leak may have revealed the first look at the new handheld
Latest in News
Zendesk Relate 2025
Zendesk Relate 2025 - everything you need to know as the event unfolds
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Google Gemini AI
Gemini can now see your screen and judge your tabs
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Philips Hue
Philips Hue might be working on a video doorbell, and according to a new report, we just got our first look at it
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand