For some time now, owners of a Nintendo Switch console who have paid into the Nintendo Switch Online service have been able to access a curated library of games from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) libraries – emulated on the platform. During today’s Nintendo Direct livestream, Nintendo confirmed that they were continuing through their extensive library of retro games, and will be offering titles on the Nintendo Switch and SEGA Genesis in the coming months.
While there are some specifics to still be nutted out, access to these games will be through a “new membership plan” being rolled out in late-October 2021. Many of the games currently listed for launch are first-party works, with a particular highlight being Mario Kart 64 which will feature online multiplayer support for up to 4-players for the first time in its history.
A full list of games confirmed for the Nintendo Switch Online N64 and Genesis Libraries are below. More games are expected to be rolled out in the following months. My hopes…. Snowboard Kids 1 and 2.
Nintendo 64 Games Available at Launch
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Mario Kart 64
- Star Fox 64
- Sin and Punishment
- Dr. Mario 64
- Mario Tennis 64
- WinBack
- Yoshi’s Story
Future Nintendo 64 Games
- Banjo-Kazooie
- Pokémon Snap
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
- Mario Golf
- Paper Mario
- F-Zero X
SEGA Genesis Games Available at Launch
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Streets of Rage 2
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- M.U.S.H.A.
- Phantasy Star IV
- Ristar
- Shining Force
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Strider
Nintendo Switch Online members will also be able to pre-order two new controllers that resemble the original Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis controllers at a later date. These wireless controllers can be used to play these classic games on Nintendo Switch Online. More details about the pricing of these controllers, and the expansion pack service itself, are due to be shared in the near future.
