For the Nintendo Switch family of systems, Nintendo distributes emulated retro games to subscribers of their Nintendo Switch Online service. Subscribers have access to games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy (GB) and Game Boy Color (GBC). At the more expensive subscription tier, titled "Expansion Pack", players can also access Nintendo 64 (N64), Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance (GBA) games.
During its first year, the Online service provided a new batch of NES games on a monthly basis. With the addition of SNES titles in September 2019, releases would no longer be regularly scheduled.[1] In October 2021, Nintendo added a subscription tier called "Expansion Pack" which includes access to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. In February 2023, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games were added to the base subscription tier, and Game Boy Advance (GBA) games were added to the Expansion Pack. Games are accessible as long as the user has an active subscription, and a user must connect to the internet at least once a week to continue to access services while offline.
For North America, PAL, and South Korea markets, Nintendo publishes the original NTSC-U versions, retaining their North American naming and 60 Hz support. The Japanese Family Computer variant is used in Japan and Hong Kong.[2] The emulator includes online multiplayer support, allowing players to play local multiplayer games remotely with friends.[3][4][5][6][7] Some NES and SNES games also have an alternative version labeled "SP" ("Extra" in some regions) which alters the game in some way, typically unlocking additional modes, starting the player with additional items or levels, or starting the player midway through the game.
The service features several titles that were not available on Nintendo's Virtual Console. Some games saw their first re-release in any form since their original debut including Pro Wrestling,[8] Vice: Project Doom[9] and Pilotwings 64.[10] The Switch Online marks the first release in North America for games such as Pop'n TwinBee, Smash Tennis and Mario's Super Picross.[11][12]
- ^ Knezevic, Kevin (September 6, 2019). "Switch Won't Be Adding New NES And SNES Games In Monthly Batches Anymore". GameSpot. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ Nosuupu, Iggy (April 2, 2019). "Nintendo Switch Online Launches April 23 In South Korea And Hong Kong, Pricing And Offers Announced". NintendoSoup. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ Peters, Jay (September 23, 2021). "Nintendo Switch Online is getting an 'expansion pack' with N64 and Genesis games". The Verge. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ Schreier, Jason (May 1, 2017). "Nintendo Switch's Online Service Will Be $20/Year, Includes Classic Games [UPDATE]". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
- ^ Schreier, Jason (June 1, 2017). "Nintendo Switch's Online Service Will Be $20/Year, Includes Classic Games". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
- ^ Saed, Sharif (June 2, 2017). "No more just one free game you can only play for a month: Nintendo changes its online service's free game scheme". VG247. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
- ^ Stevens, Colin (September 17, 2018). "Nintendo Switch Online: Nes Games Can Be Played Offline For Up To Seven Days". IGN. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- ^ Parish, Jeremy (September 19, 2018). "Pro Wrestling returns as Nintendo launches its online service". Retronauts. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ Knezevic, Kevin (August 23, 2019). "Switch Online's Free NES Games For August Available Now". GameSpot. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ "Pilotwings 64 Lands In Switch Online Expansion Pack October 13 - News". Nintendo World Report.
- ^ "New Nintendo Switch Online NES & SNES Games Arrive on February 19th". February 12, 2020.
- ^ "Mario's Super Picross, Diddy's Kong Quest Coming To Nintendo Switch Online". kotaku.com. September 16, 2020.