As promised, today sees another trio of retro delights hit the Nintendo Switch Online - Nintendo Entertainment System library of games (plus a special bonus version, too). If you're subscribed to the service, here's what you can expect to find joining your collection.
The three main additions this month are Metroid, Mighty Bomb Jack and TwinBee, all of which can be seen in action in this tweet from Nintendo of Europe below. If you're unfamiliar with any of these games, hopefully these quick snippets of footage will give you an idea of what you'll find.
You may remember that October brought with it a surprise, special version of The Legend of Zelda, technically resulting in four games being added. Well, the very same thing has happened this month, with the already-included Gradius seeing a new version appear which throws you in at Stage 5 with a lovely maxed-out ship. If you found the original a little tricky, this should give you a helping hand.
Just to remind you, December will add Wario's Woods, Ninja Gaiden and Adventures of Lolo to the mix, too, and we wouldn't be surprised if another special edition of an already-existing game finds its way to the console to continue the trend.
Will you be giving these new games a whirl today? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 90
Ah, been waiting on this. Metroid, here I come!
An SP version that skips some of the levels? That doesn't seem all that good.
Besides, who doesn't know the Konami code off by heart already?
Can't wait to play some metroid
I just bought Dark Souls for Switch and Red Dead for PS4, and tonight I'll be playing Metroid. I'm such a Nintendo sap.
Let's hope come December they don't announce 12 more NES games for release between January and April. I'm holding out hope there will be one more Direct before the end of the year and they'll announce a batch of SNES games for the New Year.
So boring, Nintendo
So far Metroid and adventures of lolo are the only games I intend on playing...all they have to do is announce snes games and I'll be on board...hopefully Nintendo soon realizes that people are getting sick of nes games...
Cool. Needed some more for the collection.
@OorWullie The comments about Nintendo Switch Online last week makes me think the first year of it is just going to be NES.
"We need to further enhance the content of the service for the subscriber base to reach a certain size, so that is what we're working on, with the understanding that the time it will take to do so will be measured in years."
Maybe adding a console 2 years after its Mini is released?
Snore. If they released the DS versions of Metroid, that'd be amazing. I'd pay money for that.
Edit: oops I mean GBA, not DS 🙄
The list of NES games that are 1) still worth playing and 2) hasn't been milked to death already is quite short. I'd like to see:
Snake Rattle 'n Roll
Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warship
Crystalis
Bubble Bobble
You can call me TwinBee, and, baby, I’ll ruuuuule... Let me play that fantasy.
I played the second game, if I recall correctly, and it was called Stinger in my neck of the woods. I always liked the cartoony wackiness of the series!
I am eager to hear some announcements for the next three months.
I sometimes keep on playing zelda as i never got the chance to play it on my NES (even i got the golden module). Its quite fun and i definitely try the newly added ones.
As a lot of others, i am craving for SNES, N64 and GC, heck even Wii games.
Yeah this doesn't excite me. I will keep playing Red Dea 2, Horizon 4 and now Spyro Reignited. When Nintendo starts to release games from newer systems, then I will pay attention.
I wish they would start allowing access to games from more recent systems - even it these started as limited time "events" in amongst these NES games.
I already got to stage 5 in Gradius*
*save states may have been involved
Still haven’t signed up as no interest in NES games and don’t do online.
I do hope later platforms do eventually come.
/sarcasm on
Awesome!
/sarcasm off
There aren't enough NES Minis! There aren't enough NES Minis! Why do you hate us Nintendo?!
NES games with the online service?! Who wants to play NES games in 2018?! Why do you hate us Nintendo?!
@Fazermint
Can I suggest Gimmick!, Bomberman II and Joy Mech Fight as well?
@Grumblevolcano This has been my thinking for a while.
Late next year we'd get SNES on Switch, but unless N64 classic is a surprise holiday addition to Nintendo's arsenal, we wouldn't get N64 online titles until at least 2020-21.
I can't help but think Metroid would have been the better game to do a SP version of, considering that it can be more fun to explore with all the upgrades. Since you can already do that with passwords though, I guess the point is a bit moot.
That'll probably be next month.
Japan even got two SP games. (Gradius and Golf)
I like they keep adding games that aren't in the NES Mini. I'll play them. When I finish BOTW, which I'm about to, that is.
Warios Woods is a game I ALWAYS found way too hard! The controls are impossible for me
The NES joycon thingies should be included to those who register. Its insulting.
There must be a good reason we don't know what NES games exist past January yet. Whether the NES games are a large selling point or not, it's a joke to hardcore and casuals alike with this trickle rate of release. We ALL know the games by now, so let's get it rolling with some 10 at time releases and concurrent SNES releases already.
@RupeeClock ⬆️⬆️⬇️⬇️⬅️➡️⬅️➡️🅱️🅰️ Start!
The Konami Code is waaay before my time, but I can spit it out on command, haha.
@MH4
Don't forget to substitute Left and RIght with L or R in some later games, otherwise you're just inputting a self-destruct code. 😉
Twin Bee is the one that interests me the most here.
@RupeeClock Noted! 😃
Nice batch of games, and Gradius SP is a nice surprise. Gradius turned out to be my most played game of the initial lineup. Twin Bee is the game I’m most looking forward to this month, but December is going to be really nice. Can’t wait to get back into Ninja Gaiden, it’s been a while.
Looking forward to some Metroid this evening!
1. There should be at least 1 or 2 more each month (not counting SP versions)
2. Super Mario Bros 3 SP where you can pick any power up when?
SP edition, aka "We set some intern down in front of a pc and had him play the game, then save stated it" edition.
Cya
Raziel-chan
@BionicDodo I want to play NES games in 2018. I don’t allow the current time period to determine what games I play.
@NintendoFan4Lyf I’m pretty sure there isn’t any difference in that title.
@goggles789 I think you may have missed my point...
@Toads-Friend I love that game to death. I have fond memories of it from the 90's and played it so much on the 3DS. I can't wait to play it again.
Love Gradius. It's the only game on there I'm still playing. Keen to try the sp version as I get regularly murdered on normal.
How bout give us an SP version of Metroid with the Zero Suit Samus. I would play that even though I already knew of the JUSTIN BAILEY passcode.
Gradius: Savestate Edition (TM)
@BionicDodo Guess more folks should have bought that SNES mini, eh?
Never got into the NES Metroid. Thoroughly enjoyed the remake however on GBA, Metroid Zero Mission. Would love to see GBA games on NSO. Tempted to give the original Metroid another try however maybe using passcodes or if they release an SP version (which you would have to assume they wanna do for this game).
@kemosabii I agree, although the original Metroid is indeed a classic, it just pales in comparison to Zero Mission. There were a number of aspects of Metroid NES that I just didn't care for (no map, you always have to start out at 30 HP which forces you to grind for energy, your Screw Attack stops when you fall from a greater height, etc.) So I really only recommend Metroid NES to more hardcore fans of the series. GBA games would be a great addition to NSO, too.
If you're reading this, Nintendo, when you guys start adding games from your other systems, could you let me know?
As there are several people in here that said they played Gradius a lot, can someone please tell me how to get past that stupid volcano in the first level?
Nice to get another SP game but the service really is bare bones as it stands. It's about time we heard about the special offers they promised at the outset.....
It’s starting to sound a bit more enticing, this Nintendo Online service... 🤔
But I can still play a lot of these games on my Mini and I’m not a big fan of online gaming. Come talk to me when Smash Bros. is out though. That may be my tipping point and I bet Nintendo sees a large spike in subscriptions across the board.
@Prizm You mean the GBA versions? DS had Hunters and Prime Pinball, not Zero Mission and Fusion.
Huh, I fully expected Metroid to get an SP version. Ah well, at least I have a reason to play through it again.
SP versions kind of ruin the game, I'm. They were meant to be tough. I suppose the younger crowd would like it though.
Gradius already got a SP version in Japan, it was a promotion for some ramen brand.
Im going too check metroid again, love that game!
Can we just stop calling the SP versions Special? The SP Training Wheels Zelda felt more like Super Baby Version than anything else. These games are from a time when we couldn't run to the Internet for a walkthrough. Altering them to make them accessible to players raised on hand holding tutorials is a disservice to their legacy
Was hoping they'd have added multiplayer to Metroid somehow, but I know why that's a dumb wish.
Woooow. I have alwaaaays wanted Nintendo to play most of Gradius for me. Thanks...Nintendo...
I still like retro games since I bought snk 40th yesterday and I am getting Atari flashback in two weeks. I will always treasure these type of games. I just feel that some people want to have it their way, that Nintendo will put out other system games besides nes . if they do, then people will have to wait. There are still some of us that continually like nes games.
@frogopus
This is true. Unfortunately, Game Genie had the unfortunate side effect of screwing up your cartridges. :/
@NintendoFan4Lyf Oh nice! Didn’t know that. Thanks for the heads up.
@BionicDodo Ok. What was your point?
@Reverandjames In what way?
@Fazermint Who is the heathen who gave a thumbs down to your wishlist that included Crystalis, one of the best games for the NES (underrated gem)!? I'll cut his fingers off!
@goggles789 My point was that when Nintendo released the NES Mini the comment sections here were filled with people moaning that they didn't produce enough of them and that they should have understood how big the demand would be. When Nintendo started their NES game service as part of Switch Online the comment sections are filled with people moaning that they don't care about NES games in 2018 and why can't Nintendo give them something relevant.
And I thought the slow trickle of games was bad before.
@BionicDodo
I also remember, all throughout the Virtual Console on Wii U era, people were complaining about having to pay so much for individual titles. In fact, some said they wanted a "Netflix-style approach" to it. Now we have that, and people want the Virtual Console approach. (Granted, a slow trickle plagued both models.)
People just want to complain, and Nintendo's been an easy target for the bile.
@SmaMan Amen
@SmaMan
I loved the VC model at least then you could play offline and not have any time limit attached and most importantly you got to own the games instead of rent them as well as have a customized library instead of getting a lot of crap bogging you down you would never touch.
@Sephiroth_FF any tips please? I want to love it. I mean...It's TOAD. But the controls too hard for me to understand
This game roll out is happening incredible slow, which is made even more frustrating by the fact that so far, more often than not, one of the "new" games is a special edition of what we already have.
@link3710 - Yes, my mistake!
@Prizm Ah, I was curious, cause those games were a bit of a non-sequitor when referencing the original, but it was still possible.
Off the top of my head, I'd like to see games like Trog, Bomberman II, Battletoads, Bionic Commando, Tetris (the classic had the nice music)
Unlikely to happen as they'll probably not get the rights, and offering it for ~free would probably eat into Puyo Puyo Tetris and Bomberman R sales. That's where Virtual Console would be additionally more useful, as they may not offer it for free, but at a cheaper entry price relative to buying the later entries
Please Nintendo before you add newer consoles please add an option for us to PURCHASE!!!!
I'll probabaly hop on some metroid tonight. But yea I second pretty much everyone's comment regarding other systems. I didn't buy Nintendos newest console for it to be able to play 10% of Nintendo's back catalog
@BionicDodo Got it! That makes more sense. Thanks!
Legendary Wings! Love that game. Great music. Hope they put that on there. A NES game superior to the arcade.
@SmaMan Some of us never wanted a Netflix style approach.
@FragRed Why are you posting on here? Just curious. I have each of the games you mentioned and they are all great, but as it's a Nintendo site you didn't mention any Nintendo games...
Aye, will be playing through Metroid as soon as I finish Super Mario Bros. 3!
Metroid finally! ...but if this was released as a VC game months ago I wouldn't have hesitated putting down money to be able to play it ANY time. I'm going to be sad when they pull this game out of the Switch Online lineup...
So... I need to buy the online service for my son, would he get all past NES games or is it like Xbox if you don’t claim them that month you miss out?
@BionicDodo Yep it's funny how that works...Nintendo are damned if they do, damned if they don't. You'll never please this lot. I imagine the general public are completely unaware of all this drama going on.
@frogopus Oh, no, I had one. An SNES one as well. For rentals, when you'd only have a game for a couple days and wanted to see the whole thing. To this day, I can't beat Zelda 2 without a fast level up code. I understand the desire for an easier experience and modern games like Mega Man 11 make allowances for this. My issue is calling it special, as if something has been added to enhance the title, not a removal of its difficulty. These retro classics, to earn the special release monicker of special, should have some oomph if they are to make up 1/4 of a paltry month to month gaming drip
@WiltonRoots A not particularly well off friend of mine, who doesn't read game sites, bought a Switch a week before the online service started. I told him he wouldn't be able to play Mario Kart online without a subscription. He was crestfallen. He asked how much it cost and when I said £17.99/year he said "Oh right, not really an issue then.". He immediately signed up and I doubt he's thought about it again since.
@BionicDodo exactly. Places like these are microcosms.
If you have a JP account you get NES Open Tournament Golf SP too!
I still won't be getting NSO til Feb or March when we get our daughter her Switch.
Don't wanna pay for an individual knowing we will be getting it for her so am just waiting to get the family plan so no time is wasted on it essentially.
Also #AnimalCrossing2019!
At this point, I'd settle for 3 NES games every two weeks.
@ekwcll, take it from me; I bought a good chunk of NES games via the eShop on Wii U more than SNES or N64 (the so called; “relevent” retro systems) strangely, I never grew up in the era of NES, but I somehow remained interested in those games; not due to avaiblility, or through the rosy tint of nostalgia but by their more pick up and play nature. It makes me cringe especially when people now call the library and the NES entirely “a pile of 8-bit garbage” and hail the SNES, N64 and GCN especially as treasure.
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