Nintendo Switch Online

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The Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo's online service that was specifically launched for the Nintendo Switch and is Nintendo's third online service, following the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and Nintendo Network. Unlike the past online services provided by Nintendo, this one requires a subscription fee. The subscription service did not launch until September 2018, prior to which the Switch's online could be used for free. There was also a companion app on the Smartphone that was launched in July 2017. A higher-tier service, known as "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack", went live in October 2021. The Expansion Pack had a higher price and had no effect on the service's quality, but came with more bonus features. Both versions of the service come with a number of features, including access to apps containing games from past systems that had previously been covered by the Virtual Console program in past systems.

Features[edit]

The basic feature of the online service is enabling online play for nearly all titles on the Nintendo Switch. The only games that can be played online without a subscription are some free-to-play online games such as Fortnite Battle Royale and games that have been published in China. Subscribers also have access to cloud storage for save data on most games, and voice chat is possible through the phone app. The console app for the service also offers 'missions' that can be completed to earn Nintendo platinum points that can be put into buying special user icons in addition to being put towards other digital or physical items from Nintendo's online store. The missions consist of playing certain games or doing other actions on the Nintendo Switch, and these missions revolve regularly.

The service has also been accompanied by a number of bonus offers, including access to certain games without any extra charge. This includes several apps containing games from past systems such as the NES and the Super NES. It also includes some special battle royale games that were available exclusively through the service: Tetris 99, Super Mario Bros. 35 (only avaailable from October 2020 through March 2021), Pac-Man 99 (discontinued in October 2023) and F-Zero 99. Nintendo also regularly holds game trials in which subcribers can have free access to a game over the course of a set one-week period. The player has access to the entire game during that period and, should they choose to purchase the game, their progress would transfer over. Another deal that has been made available has been that of Nintendo Game Vouchers, which are available for 100 dollars and can be put towards two eligible games (which can save the player money depending on the selling price of the games chose). Subscribers also have access to special offers such as special controllers for the Nintendo Switch that are replicas of controllers from past systems: NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis (or the Mega Drive controller in Japan).

The Expansion Pack version of the service has two primary perks. One of it is access to more retro game apps (for the Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis and later the Game Boy Advance), and the other is that it allows subscribers free access to the DLC of certain games (specifically Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe) for as long as the subscription is active.

Game Apps[edit]

As one of the service's features, players can download apps that act as digital libraries through which they can freely play certain games for as long as the subscription is active. This essentially acts as a successor to the Virtual Console program from past Nintendo systems. Games with multiplayer options can be played either locally or online, and each game comes with the option to set save points and rewind progress as quality-of-life features. Sometimes SP versions of games are released, which are the same game but in which progress has already been made and/or some features have already been unlocked.

When the service launched in September 2018, the NES app was the first on made available. The Super NES app was launched on the service's first anniversary in September 2019. The Expansion Pack service was launched on October 25, 2021, and with that the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis apps went live. In February 2023, apps for the Game Boy (including Game Boy Color games) and Game Boy Advance both went live, with the Game Boy app being part of the basic subscription plan while the Game Boy Advance was added to the Expansion Pack offerings.

Each app has been updated with additional games at an irregular rate. In most cases, games are released in all regions at the same time, unless otherwise noted. There are also some games that only been made available in some regions (such as past Fire Emblem games remaining exclusive to Japan). In the following lists, dates will be left out for games that were available from the service's launch.

NES[edit]

The NES app launched with the Nintendo Switch Online service on September 19, 2018.

  • Adventures of Lolo (December 2018; unavailable in Japan)
  • Adventures of Lolo 2 (December 2018, Japan only)
  • Atlantis no Nazo (February 2020, Japan only)
  • Balloon Fight
  • Baseball
  • Blaster Master (January 2019): SP version released in February 2019 which starts the player in Level 8 with Sophia fully equipped.
  • City Connection (June 2019)
  • Clu Clu Land (May 2019, unavailable in Japan)
  • Clu Clu Land: Welcome to New Cluclu Land (May 2019, Japan only)
  • Crystalis (December 2019; February 2020 in Japan)
  • Daiva Story 6: Imperial of Nirsartia (July 2022)
  • Devil World (October 2023)
  • Dig Dug II (March 2022)
  • Donkey Kong
  • Donkey Kong 3 (July 2019)
  • Donkey Kong Jr. (May 2019)
  • Double Dragon
  • Double Dragon II: The Revenge (June 2019)
  • Downtown Nekketsu March: Super-Awesome Field Day! (August 2019 in Japan, September 2023 internationally)
  • Dr. Mario: SP version released in December 2018 which starts the game right before the cutscene that plays upon completing Level 20 at Hi speed.
  • EarthBound Beginnings (February 2022): This marks the second time the game has officially made available in English, following its previous release on the Wii U Virtual Console.
  • Eliminator Boat Duel (February 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Excitebike
  • Famicom Wars (December 2019, Japan only)
  • Fire 'n Ice (February 2021)
  • Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light (March 2019, Japan only): two SP versions released in April 2020 for the game's 30th anniversary - one which starts the game in the final chapter with all the characters unlocked and one which starts the game in the middle of a battle just as Palla, Catria and Est are performing a Triangle Attack.
  • Ghosts 'n Goblins: SP version released in January 2019 which starts the game at Stage 6 with the dagger equipped.
  • Gradius: Two SP versions released - first one in released in November 2018 which started the game at Stage 5 with full power; second one released in August 2019 which has the Second Loop automatically unlocked.
  • Ice Climber
  • Ice Hockey
  • The Immortal (July 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Joy Mech Fight (January 2019 in Japan, September 2023 internationally)
  • Journey to Silius (December 2019; May 2020 in Japan)
  • Kid Icarus (March 2019): SP version released in April 2019 which starts the game on the final stage with the Three Sacred Treasures.
  • Kirby's Adventure (February 2019): SP version released in March 2019 which starts the game with the Extra Game and Sound Test automatically unlocked.
  • King Fu Heroes (August 2019)
  • The Legend of Zelda: SP version released in October 2018 which starts the player with all items/weapons and 255 Rupees.
  • Mappy-Land (March 2022)
  • Mario Bros.
  • Metroid (November 2018): Two SP versions released - first one in December 2018 which started the game with all of Samus's equipment right before the battle with Ridley, promoting RIdley's playable inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; second released in February 2019 which starts Samus with all equipment and upgrades as well as with the bosses already defeated, making it possible to go straight to Mother Brain.
  • Mighty Bomb Jack (November 2018): SP version released in July 2017 which starts the game in the final zone.
  • The Mysterious Murasame Castle (October 2023)
  • Mystery Tower (June 2023)
  • NES Open Tournament Golf (October 2018): SP version released only in Japan in November 2018, which starts the game with every course unlocked.
  • Nightshade (December 2020)
  • Ninja Gaiden (December 2018): SP version released in January 2019 which starts the player in Stage 6-4 just before the final boss battle.
  • Ninja JaJaMaru-kun (May 2021)
  • Pinball (May 2022)
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Punch-Out!! (April 2019)
  • R. C. Pro-Am (February 2024; unavailable in Japan)
  • River City Ransom
  • Route-16 Turbo (December 2019, Japan only)
  • Rygar (May 2020)
  • S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team (September 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Shadow of the Ninja (February 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Smash Ping Pong (December 2020, Japan only)
  • Snake Rattle 'n' Roll (February 2024; unavailable in Japan)
  • Soccer
  • Solomon's Key (October 2018)
  • Star Solider (April 2019): SP version released in May 2019 which starts the player on the eighth stage with the ability to shoot in eight directions and a protective shield.
  • StarTropics (March 2019; unavailable in Japan)
  • Super Dodge Ball (October 2018)
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (April 2019)
  • Super Mario Bros. 2 (February 2019)
  • Super Mario Bros. 3: SP version made available in July 2021, which starts Mario in the eighth world with eight of the game's seven power-ups (with the official description referring to Tanooki Mario's statue form as an eighth power-up for the sake of completing the theme) in his inventory.
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • Tennis
  • Tsuppari Oozumou (February 2019)
  • Twinbee (November 2018): SP version released in June 2019 which starts the player on Stage 6, starting the game's harder second round.
  • Vice: Project Doom (August 2019; July 2020 in Japan)
  • Volleyball (June 2019)
  • Vs. Excitebike (May 2019)
  • Wario's Woods (December 2018)
  • Wrecking Crew (July 2019)
  • Xevious (March 2023)
  • Yie Ar Kung-Fu (March 2019, Japan only)
  • Yoshi
  • Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (January 2019): SP version released in March 2019 which starts the game with Link's Attack, Magic and Health already maxed out.

Super NES[edit]

The Super NES app went live on September 5, 2019.

  • Amazing Hebereke (December 2020 in Japan; April 2024 internationally)
  • Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (February 2024; April 2024 in Japan)
  • Bombuzal (July 2021)
  • Brawl Brothers
  • Breath of Fire
  • Breath of Fire II (December 2019; February 2020 in Japan)
  • Claymates (July 2021; unavailable in Japan)
  • Congo's Caper (May 2022; unavailable in Japan)
  • Demon's Crest
  • Donkey Kong Country (July 2020)
  • Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (September 2020)
  • Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble (December 2020)
  • Doomdsay Warrior (February 2021; May 2021 in Japan)
  • EarthBound (February 2022)
  • Earthworm Jim 2 (March 2022; unavailable in Japan)
  • F-Zero
  • Fighter's History (July 2022)
  • Fire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo (September 2020, Japan only)
  • Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (May 2021, Japan only)
  • Harvest Moon (March 2022 in Japan; June 2023 internationally)
  • The Ignition Factor (December 2020)
  • Jelly Boy (July 2021; unavailable in Japan)
  • Joe & Mac (May 2021)
  • Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics
  • Killer Instinct (February 2024; unavailable in Japan)
  • Kirby Super Star (December 2019): SP version made available in June 2022 which starts the game with all of the game's modes unlocked, including the sound test.
  • Kirby's Avalanche (July 2022)
  • Kirby's Dream Course: SP version made available in June 2022 which starts the game with all extra modes already unlocked.
  • Kirby's Dream Land 3: SP version made available in June 2022 which starts the game with all extra modes already unlocked.
  • Kirby's Star Stacker (July 2022 in Japan; September 2023 internationally)
  • Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen'in Shuugou (December 2020, Japan only)
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
  • Magical Drop II (May 2021)
  • Mario's Super Picross (September 2020; December 2021 in Japan)
  • Marvelous: Another Treasure Island (April 2024, Japan only)
  • Natsume Championship Wrestling (July 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Operation Logic Bomb (May 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Panel de Pon (May 2020): This was the first time the original Panel de Pon was released internationally, albeit untranslated. It was released in place of Tetris Attack, possibly due to licensing issues with its title.
  • The Peace Keepers (September 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Pilotwings
  • Pop'n TwinBee (February 2020)
  • Prehistorik Man (February 2021; unavailable in Japan)
  • Psycho Dream (February 2021)
  • Rival Turf! (May 2022)
  • Side Pocket (March 2023)
  • Shin Megami Tensei (July 2020, Japan only)
  • Shin Megami Tensei II (February 2021, Japan only)
  • Shin Megami Tensei If... (July 2021, Japan only)
  • Smash Tennis (available from launch in Japan, for other regions in February 2020)
  • Spanky's Quest (May 2021; unavailable in Japan)
  • Star Fox
  • Star Fox 2 (December 2019): This marks the second time this title has been officially released, following its inclusion in the Super NES Classic, and it marks the first time the game is actually playable on a Nintendo system.
  • Stunt Race FX
  • Sugoi Hebereke (December 2020, Japan only)
  • Super Baseball Simulator 1.000 (May 2021; June 2023 in Japan)
  • Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force
  • Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
  • Super Mario All-Stars (September 2020)
  • Super Mario Kart: SP version made available in May 2021 which starts the game with 150cc unlocked.
  • Super Mario World: SP version made available in March 2022 which starts the game with a complete save file that has the fall setting active and 99 lives.
  • Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
  • Super Metroid: SP version made available in February 2022 which starts the game with all items, weapons and upgrades fully unlocked.
  • Super Punch-Out!! (December 2019; May 2020 in Japan): SP version made available in March 2022 which starts the game with the Special Circuit unlocked and the preceding circuits already beaten.
  • Super Puyo Puyo 2
  • Super R-Type (April 2024)
  • Super Soccer
  • Super Tennis (available from launch in all regions save Japan, where it was released in September 2020)
  • Super Valis IV (December 2020; unavailable in Japan)
  • Tuff E Nuff (December 2020; July 2021 in Japan)
  • Umihara Kawase (May 2022, Japan only)
  • Wild Guns (May 2020; September 2020 in Japan)
  • Wrecking Crew '98 (April 2024)

Game Boy[edit]

The Game Boy app went live on February 8, 2023 and contains both Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. This app included multiple display settings for games that could emulate how the games would look played on the original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket and Game Boy Color.

Nintendo 64[edit]

The Nintendo 64 app went live on October 25, 2021. It is the only app to lack the rewind feature. In Japan only, an 18+ version of the app was launched on November 30, 2023 for games that received Z rating from Japan's CERO rating board, such as Goldeneye 007 and Jet Force Gemini. This app is notable for containing some of Rare's non-Donkey Kong titles, which had not been made available on Nintendo's systems since Rare was bought out by Microsoft.

Game Boy Advance[edit]

The Game Boy Advance app went live on February 8, 2023.

Sega Genesis[edit]

The Sega Genesis app launched with the Expansion Pack service on October 25, 2021

  • Alien Soldier (March 2022)
  • Alien Storm (December 2022)
  • Alisia Dragoon (September 2022)
  • Altered Beast (December 2021)
  • Beyond Oasis (September 2022)
  • Castlevania: Bloodlines
  • Columns (December 2022)
  • Comix Zone (June 2022)
  • Contra: Hard Corps
  • Crusader of Centry (June 2023)
  • Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (unavailable in Japan)
  • Dynamite Headdy (December 2021)
  • Earthworm Jim (September 2022)
  • Ecco the Dolphin
  • Flicky (April 2023)
  • Ghouls 'n Ghosts (June 2023)
  • Golden Axe
  • Golden Axe II (December 2022)
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • Kid Chameleon (April 2023)
  • Landstalker (June 2023)
  • Light Crusader (March 2022)
  • Mega Man: The Wily Wars (June 2022)
  • MUSHA
  • Phantasy Star IV
  • Puyo Puyo (Japan only)
  • Pulseman (April 2023)
  • Ristar
  • The Revenge of Shinobi (June 2023)
  • Shining Force
  • Shining Force II (April 2022)
  • Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
  • Sonic Spinball (April 2022)
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • Space Harrier II (April 2022)
  • Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition (April 2023)
  • Streets of Rage 2
  • Strider
  • Super Fantasy Zone (March 2022)
  • Sword of Vermilion (December 2021)
  • Target Earth (June 2022)
  • Toejam & Earl (December 2021)
  • Thunder Force II (December 2021)
  • Virtua Fighter 2 (December 2022)
  • Zero Wing (June 2022)
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