Tag: Nintendo Switch Online
News Nintendo Highlights Every 'Donkey Kong Country' On Switch With A New Trailer
Prepare to return... again
Nintendo has released a new trailer taking a look at every Donkey Kong Country game on Switch in preparation for the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on 16th January 2024. If you've got a subscription to the standard Nintendo Switch Online service, you can play every SNES game from the series right now. That...
News Three Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Games Have Been Added To Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Here's what's included
Nintendo has just added four more games to the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive app for the Switch Online Expansion Pack service. The latest editions include platformer Toejam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron (1993/94, Johnson Voorsanger Productions), action platformer Vectorman (1995, BlueSky Software), and the run & gun Wolf...
News Nintendo Switch Online Services Will End In China In 2026
Tencent pulls the plug
Tencent Nintendo Switch has announced that online services for the Switch will come to an end in China in 2026. In a statement released online (thanks, Chinese Nintendo), the company states that eShop purchases will cease on 31st March 2026. Following this, code redemptions will then be shut down on 15th May 2026 alongside...
News N64 Controller For Switch Receives A Tasty Black Friday Discount (Europe)
Grab it while you can
If you're in the market for an N64 Controller for Nintendo Switch Online, then you're in luck. Nintendo is currently hosting a Black Friday discount on the peripheral, knocking it down from £39.99 to £27.99 (or €34.99 down from €49.99 in the EU). Naturally, you will need to ensure you're subscribed to Nintendo Switch...
News Nintendo Is Offering An Extra Code With Any 12-Month Individual NSO Purchase
Bring a friend
Nintendo has announced a new Black Friday offer in which any individual 12-month Switch Online membership purchase will be granted an additional code to give to a friend. The offer is now in place until 1st December 2024 and is currently valid in the UK and Europe, though if the same is announced for North America, we will update...
News Sega Delisting 'Mega Drive Classics' On Switch eShop This December
Select retro games will still be available on NSO
Sega has today announced it's delisting SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive Classics from Nintendo's Switch eShop. The company will also be delisting multiple games and collections across Steam, Xbox and PlayStation platforms. This classic collection will be removed from the Switch eShop on 6th December 2024...
News 'Nintendo Music' Is A New Mobile App Exclusive To Switch Online Members
Music to our ears
Nintendo has launched a dedicated mobile app called 'Nintendo Music' for Switch Online members, allowing users to stream and download a variety of music tracks from the firm's wide range of franchises. Available now on iOS and Android, the app contains music from new releases along with retro classics from Nintendo's library, and...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online N64 Game Ranked
All the N64 games on NSO
The library of Nintendo 64 games on Switch boasts some of the system's heaviest hitters - a great selection of quality 64-bit games easily accessible to anyone subscribed to the 'Expansion Pack' tier of the Nintendo Switch Online service But which of the N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online are the very best? Well, we've...
Random Super Mario 64 On NSO Is Home To A Weird Misspelling Bug
Not cuol, man
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack's N64 library is home to a couple of weird little bugs that keep us on our toes as we play through some of the cartridge classics. Last week, we noticed a weird speed issue in the recently added Banjo-Tooie, and now we have another, this time from Super Mario 64. As pointed out on Twitter by...
Review Banjo-Tooie (Nintendo 64) - An Enormous Adventure With Charm Up The Kazoo
Can you bear second helpings?
This review was originally published in October 2009. We're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of the game in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 library. <related ids="106839"> Banjo-Kazooie was a game that revolutionised platforming on the N64: Rare's off-the-wall-humour, creative...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's N64 Library With Banjo-Tooie
"The bear & bird are back!"
Update [Fri 25th Oct, 2024 02:05 BST]: Rare's famous bear and bird duo Banjo-Kazooie returns to the Switch Online library today in their sequel outing Banjo-Tooie. You can play it right now provided you have an active subscription to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Enjoy! <products group-id="26667"...
Talking Point What Is Nintendo Thinking Trying To Keep The Lid On This Playtest Program?
Would you kindly not discuss the new Nintendo thing?
Good news, everyone! We've played the mysterious Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program, an online-only experience that, according to Nintendo, is open to just 10,000 lucky participants. Oh yes. Team NL was ready and waiting earlier in October to rapidly register for this first-come-first-served...
News Nintendo's Switch Online Playtest Is Already Being Streamed, Unsurprisingly
It told players to "not discuss or disclose content"
Just weeks ago, Nintendo announced it would be hosting a new Switch Online Playtest Program. As part of this, it told participants to "not discuss or disclose" anything about it, and pretty much straight away, information about what to expect was leaked online. Now, in an update, the playtest has...
News As Expected, Nintendo Is Struggling To Contain Switch Online Playtest Leaks
It's all out there
As Nintendo opened the gates to its upcoming Nintendo Switch Online playtest for successful participants, it didn't take long for the classified content to be plastered all over social media. Indeed, if you search terms relating to the playtest on social media right now, you'll immediately be greeted by information and...
News Nintendo's Mysterious Switch Online Playtest Program Is Now Accessible
If you got in, of course
The Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program is now available for successful applicants to download. Earlier in October the company announced the playtest and opened up registration for 10,000 application spots which were filled up in a matter of minutes. The lucky among us who got in received a message saying to return to...
News F-Zero Climax Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Free Course
It made its debut on Switch Online last week
The recent Switch Online + Expansion Pack release F-Zero Climax is celebrating its 20th anniversary tomorrow. As part of this, former Nintendo employee Takaya Imamura (who worked on the GBA title and the F-Zero series) back in the day has shared a special code. This code which commemorates the...
News Xbox Studio Rare Excited About The Return Of Banjo-Tooie Next Week
"Another modern way" to revisit the sequel
Nintendo delivered quite a surprise for N64 fans this week, announcing Rare's 3D platformer Banjo-Tooie would be joining the Expansion Pack service next week on 25th October 2024. As part of this announcement, Rare (known nowadays for titles like Sea of Thieves) has taken to social media to voice its own...
News Switch Online's Expansion Pack Promises "Excitement" In 2025
"Stay tuned to find out"
Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack tier got off to a slow start with a handful of Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and DLC releases, but it's steadily grown over time. We're now in the third year of this higher priced tier and it's sent out an email informing fans to "stay tuned" for what's to come in 2025. Although there...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy Advance (GBA) Game Ranked
All the GBA games, ranked by you
Remember, this is a dynamic, reader-ranked list based on each game's User Rating in our database. The order is therefore subject to real-time change as those ratings fluctuate. Enjoy! Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers have instant access to a small but growing library of brilliant handheld games...
News Nintendo Asks Switch Online Playtest Program Participants To "Not Discuss Or Disclose Content"
The playtest begins later this month
Apart from the announcement of its new clock 'Alarmo' yesterday, Nintendo also revealed it would be "performing a test related to a new feature" for Switch Online. As you might have already seen, global registrations for this filled up in literally minutes, but we've now also got some new information about this...
News Nintendo Announces Switch Online: Playtest Program Related To "New Feature"
Update: Registrations are now full
Update #2: [Thu 10th Oct, 2024 16:15 BST]: Well, as expected, that was quick. As per Nintendo's tweet, posted a whopping seven minutes after the application pages went live, registration for the 'test' is now full. The mystery continues until 21st October - check out the full details below and let us know in the...
News New F-Zero 99 Datamine Suggests Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Event Could Be Incoming
Mmm, bananas
It's been a little over a year since F-Zero 99 shadow-dropped onto Switch and, after receiving a bumper update earlier this month, it looks like Nintendo still has some event ideas up its sleeve. While digging through the files of the recent 1.5.0 update, dataminer 'LuigiBlood' uncovered references to a Mario vs. Donkey Kong Festival...
Rumour Nintendo May Be Looking To Add SNES Mouse Support To Switch Online
Get yer paintbrushes ready
Thanks to a bit of cheeky datamining, it looks like Nintendo may be considering implenting SNES Mouse support to Nintendo Switch Online, potentially opening the door to releases such as Mario Paint and the Japan-only Mario & Wario. This comes via reliable dataminer LuigiBlood (delightful name) and reported by VGC.
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online SNES Game Ranked
All the SNES games, ranked by you
Remember, this list evolves as users rate the games within, so head to the game profiles and rate them out of 10 if you'd like to see the rankings below alter. Enjoy! The library of SNES games available on Switch as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service now stands at 67 titles, and while it may...
News Nintendo's 'Mega Game Trials' Brings Four Free Games To NSO Subscribers This Week (Europe)
Cram them in before 25th Aug
Nintendo has revealed the four (yes, four) free games that are now available to European Nintendo Switch Online subscribers as part of the 'Mega Game Trials' event. From today until 25th August, those with an active NSO membership can play Tetris Effect: Connected, PowerWash Simulator, Enter the Gungeon and Cassette...
More multiplayer madness coming later this month
Nintendo has announced the Mega Multiplayer Festival, a season of multiplayer-themed events running throughout August. The proceedings kick off today with the Mega 12 + 2 promotion, adding an extra two months onto all 12-month Nintendo Switch Online memberships purchased between 1st August and 8th...
News Famicom Controllers For Switch Are Now Up For General Sale In Japan
Switch Online membership no longer required
Just recently, we reported on the newly announced Official Joy-Con Charging Stand for the Switch (which is totally to allow users to charge their Joy-Con when used as additional controllers with the 'Switch 2' - wait, where are our tinfoil hats?). Amid all the initial confusion, however, we happened to...
Feature Legendary Starfy 101 - A Brief History Of TOSE's Adorable Platforming Star
Now playable on Nintendo Switch
With all three GBA Starfy games — which were originally released only in Japan — now available to play on Switch with a Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription, we're updating and republishing this brief introduction to the little star which originally went live a whopping 15 years ago. Enjoy! Since...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's GBA Library With Three More Titles
"Starfy dives onto Nintendo Switch"
Nintendo has today released a brand new update for its Switch Online Game Boy Advance library. It adds a trio of colourful action games starring Starfy, who you might know from the DS title The Legendary Starfy. These three GBA games, developed by Tose, were previously exclusive to Japan. Densetsu no Starfy was...
News Play Mario + Rabbids For Free In Nintendo Switch Online's New Free Game Trial
Sparking hope for our bank balance
Update: This Nintendo Switch Online Free Game Trial has now been announced for Europe too. Whether you have a North American or European NSO subscription, you can play Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope for free until 14th July. Hot off the back of Darkest Dungeon II, Nintendo has revealed its next free game trial...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online NES Game Ranked
All the NES games, ranked by you
Remember, this list evolves as users rate the games within, so head to the game profiles and rate them out of 10 if you'd like to see the rankings below change. Enjoy! The collection of NES games available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers continues to grow over time, albeit slowly, and there are now nearly 80...
News Nintendo Switch Online Free 7-Day Trial Now Available (US)
"Even if you've tried it before"
If you've been wanting to give the Switch Online service another shot, but don't necessarily want to fork out the monthly sub for it, Nintendo is now offering Switch users a free 7-day trial. This allows you to "retry the benefits" of this membership service, even if you've tried it out in the past. This will give...
News Nintendo Adds Multiple Upcoming Releases To Its Switch Voucher Program
Zelda, Mario & Luigi and more!
Nintendo's latest Direct broadcast lifted the lid on all sorts of upcoming releases including new entries in the Zelda and Mario & Luigi series, and if you're wondering how you're going to be able to purchase them all, you might want to make use of some game vouchers. In North America, Europe and certain other...
News Switch Online + Expansion Pack Survey Asks Users To Share Their Experience
"We appreciate your time and your input"
The Switch Online + Expansion Pack service might not have launched in the best state, but it's slowly improved over time with more consoles, games, and DLC offerings. Nintendo is still looking at ways to enhance this service for users, and with this in mind, it's now sending out a survey. Multiple members...
Feature 9 'Mature' Games We'd Love To See On Nintendo Switch Online's New N64 App
Rated M for 'MOAAAAAR'
The arrival of Rareware's classic Perfect Dark and Acclaim's Turok: Dinosaur Hunter via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack was a very welcome announcement in the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. Both titles are the first entries in Nintendo's new, separate N64 app with a 'MATURE 17+' label. Following on from the Japanese...
Review Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64) - Perhaps Not Perfect, But Still A Remarkable Achievement
Suck it, Bond
This review was originally published in March 2010. We're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 library. From its debut in 1997, developer Rare and the terrifying digital avatar of Pierce Brosnan ruled over the console shooter space with the Nintendo 64 tie-in of a...
News Switch Online's Latest N64 Release 'Perfect Dark' Appears To Have Some Emulation Issues
"It's like playing on a 2007 emulator"
Switch Online's N64 library didn't get off to the best start, with select games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time filled with a bunch of emulation issues. Nintendo rolled out updates for the app in response to this and since then the situation has somewhat improved. Unfortunately, it seems one of the...
News Switch Online's "Mature" Nintendo 64 App Is Now Available In The West
It comes loaded with two first-person shooters
In case you somehow missed it earlier on, Nintendo has finally rolled out its "mature" rated Nintendo 64 app for Switch Online users here in the West. This was announced alongside the return of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and Rare's legendary title Perfect Dark - "now with online multiplayer". This app is...
Expansion Pack expanded
As part of the 18th June Nintendo Direct, Nintendo has announced the arrival of four new games for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Game Boy Advance titles Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords and Metroid: Zero Mission will be available later today as part of the GBA library. And Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy (Color) Game Ranked
All the GB and GBC games, ranked by you
Remember, this list evolves as users rate the games within, so head to the game profiles and rate them out of 10 if you'd like to see the rankings below alter. Enjoy! Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles first arrived on Nintendo Switch Online in February 2023 and pleased many gamers who have been Nintendo...
News Play Hollow Knight For Free In Nintendo Switch Online's Latest Game Trial (Europe)
Nailed it
We're sure that most of you will have picked up Hollow Knight by now, but those who have held back on this magnificent metroidvania can now take it for a spin as a part of Europe's new Nintendo Switch Online free Game Trial. The trial period begins today (6th June) on the Switch eShop and you can explore the melancholy map of Hallownest...
Reminder Paper Mario TTYD Can Be Redeemed With A Switch Game Voucher
Save on two digital games
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has officially arrived on the Switch this week, and if you haven't already got your hands on it, there's one other way you can claim it. Nintendo has added this new release to its Switch game voucher service, where online members can get a pair of vouchers for the price of $99.98 USD (or...
Guide Nintendo Switch Online - Every NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, And GBA Game Available
Every retro game available with an NSO sub (plus the Expansion Pack)
Updated with Donkey Kong Land III following the December update. Nintendo Switch Online had a slow start initially, but with the introduction of SNES and Game Boy (Color
Reminder The First Switch Online Event For Endless Ocean: Luminous Is Now Live
Discover the secrets of the Veiled Sea
Update [Sat 11th May, 2024 08:00 BST]: This first event dive in Endless Ocean: Luminous is now officially live for a "limited time" so join in on the fun while you can. Here's a quick teaser of this event: Original article [Fri 3rd May, 2024 01:30 BST]: Endless Ocean: Luminous has a new feature called...
News The Force Is Strong With Nintendo Switch Online's Next Free Game Trial (Europe)
Do or do not, it's free!
Just in time for Star Wars Day, it has been announced that STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic will be force-jumping in as Europe's next Nintendo Switch Online free game trial. The trial kicks off today (3rd May) on the Switch eShop and you can play as much of the iconic space RPG as you'd like for free until 9th May. As...
Video New Endless Ocean Luminous Overview Trailer Teases "Limited-Time" Event Dives
"A free 7-day trial for NSO is included with purchase"
In between some Mario games, a new Endless Ocean game is arriving for Switch next month on 2nd May 2024. While we've already got a decent idea of what to expect from Endless Ocean Luminous, Nintendo has now uploaded an overview trailer - providing an extended look at this upcoming release. The...
News Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising Is The Next Nintendo Switch Online Free Game Trial (Europe)
Rising up
Are you curious about Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising? Do you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription? Well you're in luck because 505 Games' muddled metroidvania has been announced as Europe's next free game trial. The trial kicks off on the Switch eShop today (12th April) and you can play as much as you'd like for free until 18th...
Review F-Zero Maximum Velocity (GBA) - The First Portable F-Zero Still Holds Up
Back to the future
This review originally went live in 2014, and we're updating and republishing it to celebrate the game's arrival in Switch's Game Boy Advance library via Nintendo Switch Online. Ah, F-Zero. The futuristic racing series that’s so fast that even Nintendo lost track of it for years. Since it released the Japanese exclusive...
News Sink Your Teeth Into Nintendo Switch Online's Next Free Game Trial Today (Europe)
Bat!
Europe's next Nintendo Switch Online free Game Trial kicks off today and it is none other than Poncle's devilishly addictive roguelike, Vampire Survivors. From today (14th March) until 23rd March, you can get into as much of the monster-hunting mayhem as you would like, for free! That is, as long as you have a Nintendo Switch Online...
Review Mario Tennis (GBC) - Camelot's Ace Little Tennis RPG Is Hard To Fault
Courts of appeal
This review originally went live in 2014, and we're updating and republishing it to celebrate the game's arrival in Switch's Game Boy (Color) library via Nintendo Switch Online. For whatever its name is worth, Mario Tennis doesn’t feature a lot of the red guy — at least at first. That may come as an initial disappointment to...
