[p1necone]

Emulation hasn't been a niche thing since the 90s, emulating older systems has always been wildly popular.

Emulating the Switch specifically is maybe a niche thing because the emulators are relatively new, the system is still sold and you can easily buy the games.

[A4ET8a8uTh0]

Yes, but in the 90s there were no esports, gaming wasn't a billion dollar industry ( with advertising[1] to support that ).

<<Emulation hasn't been a niche thing since the 90s, emulating older systems has always been wildly popular.

Compared to today it was popular amongst some enthusiasts, who already self-selected from perceived social outcasts. Gaming has only recently become more mainstream, socially acceptable AND ridiculously profitable.

The target is that much bigger. I stand by my 'it used to be a niche', because even being interested in computers was not a mainstream interest.

[1]https://www.gameskinny.com/ggtms/10-best-video-game-commerci...

edit:

Seems I was off with a billion number, but it is still nowhere near 2017's 100b global video game industry estimate.

[2]https://vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/Video_game_industry

[jrm4]

Ironic given how many Switch games are old games and/or games for other systems.