Poll: Which Nintendo Switch Online Console Do You Play The Most?

GBA for me, followed by N64 for Zelda, and then SNES for Super Metroid.

Really really hoping Nintendo adds FFTactics Advance to NSO!! I don't think that's one that Squenix would sell separately, so it would be perfect for NSO. FFTA's soundtrack is, dare I say it, even better than FF12's original OST. That opening cinematic is still hugely nostalgic for me!

I play all of them regularly. Recently, been focusing on N64, GB, and Genesis/Mega Drive.

So far, it's probably been N64 for Paper Mario, Zelda, and Banjo-Kazooie alone, but as time goes on, it'll probably end up being the GBA since it's one of my favorite consoles and I could play those games for hours

I never had a gameboy growing up so i've been having a blast going back to play these games. There are some gems on that brick.

Over time, it will probably be SNES and GBA equally.

NES, thanks to Zelda II. Great game, everyone should at least give it a try. 😊

It's a split between all of them. It really depends on what I want to play at that moment in time.

That said, right now I'm playing N64 for GoldenEye 007, GBA for Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and GB for Metroid II: Return of Samus.

I have no interest in paying a monthly fee to play games from these platforms.

I don’t subscribe to NSO but a poll yay! Seriously we need more options to play these games rather than subscribe to an online service for these offline games. Add in the ability to transfer purchases like crossbuy/cross play and purchase individual titles like gamepass.

N64. The cowards gave us Wave Race 64 and Goldeneye 007!

I voted for SNES because it’s my favorite. But the fact is that N64 is currently the most played. Which is mostly because the games are longer. Those are my current play times and % of games I completed per system

NES 36 h 41,27 %
SNES 72 h 23,64 %
N64 103 h 42,86 %
GB 6 h 33,33 %
GBA 26 h 50,00 %
MD 9 h 16,67 %

Mostly NES and SNES these days since that's where my current Mario (Yoshi's Island, SMK) and Zelda (Adventure of Link) playthroughs are. I'm also eyeing Metroid but the reported lack of map wusses me towards Zero Mission, and now I'm not even starting the latter rom on Vita in case GBA Online app announces it in later updates.

I've definitely played SNES the most thanks to Super Metroid and Link to the Past.

Mainly play switch games online and cloud back up

It's been GameBoy recently, but only because it's new. I have likely used the NES one the most. I don't get the Expansion Pack ones.

SNES closely follwed by N64.
I love Yoshi's Island and the old Mario Kart.

NES for me-though this could change depending on future updates to the systems. NES has Dr Mario though, which is always a great option when I don’t want to play anything else.

I'm in the NES minority! Just gravitating to what I grew up with.
I've played a fair share of SNES and Genesis, too, but the NES is many hours ahead. Dr. Mario and Solomon's Key 2 were big time sinks for me.

I'm not sure where I am with the Japanese counterparts (Famicom, Super Famicom, Mega Drive, etc), but I expect it's the same preference.

I used to play hours upon hours of F-Zero X on the N64 service when the game got added to NSO. Such a fun game, and the soundtrack is killer. I also tried my hand at Super Mario 64 ( even though I used to own 3D All Stars) and Yoshi’s story, among others. I also played a lot of Kirby Super Star and Sonic 2. Nowadays, I like to play Kirby’s Dream Land and Tetris on the game boy service, and Warioware Inc and Superstar Saga. Kuru Kiru Kuruin is also a hidden gem as well. But out of all those services, I have spent the most time on the N64. I use all of them anyway. Each library is stacked! Well, maybe not GB for now, but watch. It will be at some point. I can’t wait for Metroid Fusion and Kirby Amazing Mirror. I’m on a metroid binge/fire emblem binge.

I play all regularly...except Sega, never the Genesis.

SNES, but only because I've had it the longest. Although since GB launched, I'll be playing a lot more Tetris

@RupeeClock Right now? GBA for sure, but overall, probably N64.

Never touch them. I preferred the VC approach.

Is there’s a possibility of Nintendo giving us the option to buy the games before they eventually discontinue the service? I don’t want to lose my save data in the games on NSO.

None the games I care for on there so I'm out.

Dr Mario 64 é o jogo que mais jogo

SNES because I often boot up Mario's Super Picross when I have a few minutes to kill. I don't have the expansion pass currently but it's starting to seem worth it now so I'll likely upgrade eventually. Not super keen on the subscription model but it does have its advantages, primarily being able to try out games I wouldn't have paid for individually.

I've put the most hours in the Famicom app, but the SNES app is close behind. The Game Boy apps are already racking up the hours though, I've played through every title on them. I have so many options to play these games with software emulation and fpga, but convenience always wins out. NSO app are even easier and slicker than firing up RetroArch on the Vita.

With out looking at the results I would say SNES!

The only one I've used a fair amount is GBA because of Super Circuit and it'll be even further if we get Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald/Fire Red/Leaf Green and when we get Fire Emblem.

Very little on NES or SNES I care about.

I have never touched Genesis

N64 probably has the most time from me and has the best selection

GB and GBA have no games I am interested in. And GBA is one of my favorite consoles of all time, so that's saying something. Where is Golden Sun!?

I have basic NSO, but mostly for backups and the occasional online sesh. I don't really delve into the retro libraries - yet - as I can easily play many of the games I'm interested in via ports (such as OoT 3D and MM 3D) or through previous Virtual Console pickups. There's also the easily hackable SNES Classic.

Barely at all. There's a lot of games that still just aren't on there and Nintendos emulator doesn't offer the robust options others do.

It's either the SNES or N64 apps, that I've played the most.

The N64 app has a pretty stellar collection of infinitely replayable games. I’ve logged more time into some individual N64 games than I have into a lot of real Switch games I paid $60 for.

N64 as having never grew up with one its been a good way to play some of its hits. I expect once Pokemon gets added to GB and GBA then they will dominate over everything.

I already have the Genesis collection and Super Mario 3D all-stars on Switch, as well as Banjo Kazooie on Xbox, so I don’t really deal with the expansion pack systems. I might get Rare Replay later this month so I can play Goldeneye.

Aside from that, the SNES is my go to console. I mess around a lot with the Mario games on offer, got to Twoson in Earthbound, and even finished Super Metroid last year! If they actually add the classic Pokémon games to Gameboy / Advance, then I might finally bite…

GBA may overtake it in time, but the SNES just had such an amazing library. Even the duds are fun to play for a couple hours.

I play them all, but N64 the most.

My cousin and I play Kirby's Dream Course online a few nights a week. That game SO good. And the lag doesn't affect the game at all.

People still say gee whiz in 2023?

Snes + 64 have the most hours for me! Though the Gameboy looks like it may become a close contendor

@Mando44646

If you like JRPGs I would recommend Phantasy Star IV.

It holds up supremely well.

N64 is one of the best consoles of all time in my opinion. There is a great selection of games such as Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time which still hold up really well. Too bad it requires the expansion pack. Typical Nintendo -_-

@OrtadragoonX that's been on my list for a while! Phantasy Star is entirely a blank spot for me, and RPGs are what I tend to look for (and what Nintendo is failing to provide on NSO)

@Diogmites actually I think you’re right haha

I grew up with these so it’s not such a big deal to replay games that mostly are showing their age when compared to todays games. I feel like they there more for the history lesson of where games has come from.
Happy to see other enjoy them of course, but my favorite switch console is the switch

Eventually the GBA will likely be my most played, as of now the SNES is my most played. Was my first gaming machine after all.

SNES is where I end up playing the games the most among these services, mostly due to the large number of solid titles and the ease of gameplay.

While N64 does have some solid games, the NSO N64 library is marred due to the control scheme if you don't have that Switch N64 controller (which I highly recommend) and this generation is where many games show their age. SNES games in comparison I feel hold their quality even today, so I still hope we see other titles come to NSO SNES (Super Mario RPG PLEASE).

Another feature I'd love to see are the instruction manuals. So many games in these generations had information in the instruction manuals that you wouldn't find in the game itself (secrets, story bits, and lots of art). Not having them feels like a real missed opportunity for some great extra content and added nostalgia.

I play them all almost equally. The ones I play the most are NES, and SNES.

I would love the Super Gameboy, and SGB2 to be fully supported, and playable. SGB emulation usually amounts to just enabling the border, and a color palette from the game. The SGB was essentially a full GB, capable of taking great advantage of the SNES. Sound sampling, dynamic color palettes, a slightly faster CPU than the actual GB. Also, the animated borders, the ability to draw on the border, the game screen, and "creating" your own colors, then getting a password for the combination of colors.

I would also love for Nintendo to release the Satellaview games.

Rarely play them (because I got huge backlog) but sometimes I play snes games.

SNES. I played the incredible, perfect game: Super Metroid for the first time just before Dread came out. I also tried to make Link to the Past my first Zelda game. I objectively think it's a great game but I keep finding myself distracted by other games. Anyway, SNES all the way. It's great to play the franchises I skipped back in the day.

At the moment it was N64 because of how long Paper Mario is.

@neonpizza If I remember correctly, that is done on purpose. The reason behind that is to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. A lot of NES games use (strobing) rapidly flashing white during segments of gameplay, such as explosions in MegaMan, or the crumbling of the fortresses in Super Mario Bros. 3. The other thing is that CRT (cathode ray tube) tv sets back then were usually well illuminated. Again though, most of the color-muting comes from efforts to reduce epilepsy.

N64 is my hangout. Still need a controller though.

NES- 200+HRS
SNES- 195+HRS
SEGA- 50+HRS
N64- 85+HRS
GB- 5+HRS
GBA- 10+HRS

I played a lot of the SNES emulator cause they had Breath of Fire 1 and 2, which are really awesome games, plus several other games. Now I got the expansion so I've been playing a lot of the sega Genesis and phantasy star and the GBA for minish cap plus Mario and Luigi superstar saga. I'm not a fan on the N64 cause I don't like the controls, i do like paper Mario though. The NES and GB don't really have many games im interested in so I don't play a lot of them

Probably SNES, though N64 is up there and been doing a fair bit on the GBA one.

Rarest is definitely Genesis, don't think I've ever even downloaded it.

Should have an option for: I own a Wii / Wii U.

I don't have the Expansion Pass (yet), but I've been playing a bunch of GameBoy because of Tetris. I haven't touched S/NES stuff in a bit.

I kinda got hooked by gb's Alone in the Park, but I got horrendously stuck there due to lack of ammo/melee weapon or any way to avoid infinite random encounters

Haven’t played much of any of them, but I voted tetris as i assume ill be playing tons of that

Right now SNES. In the future probably GBA.

SNES, it has my quicker comfort food, whereas I have to be more committed for the N64 games.

But it could soon be GBA.

SNES gets the most play, followed by NES. Gameboy will get some love eventually, and it would lead if it counted Collection of Saga/Final Fantasy Legend playtime.

Top three most played games of each console for me

NES
Yoshi - 300 minutes
Earthbound - 250 minutes
Super Mario Bros - 100 minutes

GAME BOY
Tetris - 150 minutes
Zelda: Link’s Awakening - 70 minutes
Game & Watch Gallery 3 - 60 minutes

SNES
Super Mario All Stars - 700 minutes
Breath of Fire - 700 minutes
Breath of Fire II - 700 minutes

GENESIS
Phantasy Star IV - 570 minutes
Shining Force II - 280 minutes
Shining Force - 260 minutes

NINTENDO 64
Dr Mario 64 - 900 minutes
Paper Mario - 500 minutes
Zelda: OoT - 240 minutes

GAME BOY ADVANCE
Mario & Luigi - 320 minutes
Zelda: Minish Cap - 140 minutes
Super Mario Advance 4 - 100 minutes

@SigourneyBeaver
would have been nice if they had let you buy the games like on gamepass and ps+ or what they do with the DLC.

i just hate the fact that the games are exclusive to the "service" model since it means simply playing the games is dependant on the service.

It feels like the competitors handle the whole service/legacy content quite a bit better with xbox letting you redownload any of your older games that are compatible with newer systems (and more are added with updates) without having to rebuy them and iirc quite a few of the psone games on ps4/5 are free if you own them on ps3/psp/vita.

Its a pity since Nintendo has an extremely strong legacy but are the most hesitant in letting players purchase said games (even some of the ones you could buy like fire emblem and 3d all stars were delisted from the eshop)

@Mgalens
Bravo, Bravo very well said!

Mostly NES because it's the platform i have less games in original format from currently avaibable titles online or from the different virtual consoles.
But mostly Japanese NSO, because it has Joy Mech Fight.

Now this is a fun poll! I picked N64 and that's largely due to me being lucky enough to have the controller. Without having the proper controller I don't know if I'd be able to play it so comfortably and instead id probably have chosen SNES.

N64 for Majora's Mask, GBA for Minish Cap and Superstar Saga.

Have no interest in paying subscription to play certain games. I wouldve considered it if nintendo allowed you to buy them.
Anyway, don't really care, can play all of these on retroarch series x!

I don’t typically play them a ton, but I probably play SNES the most because of Super Mario World and Super Mario All Stars when I get on a Mario kick. I also don’t have the expansion pass, so there’s that too.

SNES/N64 mostly, just like the polls show.

Lately, it’s just been the extra levels in SMA4:SMB3 on GBA.

Amazing that GBA is a common mention considering it's only been available for a week.

For me it's the SNES and then NES. Obviously because they've been available for years, and there's better and more game choices. Unsurprisingly, N64 is next, followed by GBA (mostly for Mario Kart SC), Mega Drive and GB.

Kind of equally. I mean, realistically, N64, then SNES. But I've logged tons of time into the NES and Genesis apps, and there's tons I want to play on the GBA and GB already.

DS for me, oh... my bad, I guess I was thinking of another console.

I'm saving all my switch games for my vacation in a few months but I plan to play Paper Mario for the first time in over a decade and it'll likely wind up being my main game if the internet checks aren't too abrasive. So I guess N64!

I Like to play them all

Oh look it’s Pollie Reynolds

I've been playing the "Nintendo 64" games the most, since I'm prioritizing the more expensive "Expansion Pass" content first. Since many of the NES/GB(C) and even some of the SNES/GBA games that I'm interested in are currently available on the 3DS, most of which I have, I figured I'd skip playing them in favor of the games that aren't available on that system. While I could easily play these games through emulators on my jailbroken 3DS and Vita (and even my hacked Switch!), one of the systems I can't easily play on any of my handheld devices (except maybe the Switch, though even that's a hassle to set up) is the N64. I'd also like to play these games as officially as possible. I do have some N64 games on my Wii, but the ability to replay them wherever I'm at without needing to use a TV is just too good an opportunity to pass up (even though it violates my "Never Play Through A Game Twice" rule), since I'm mainly a handheld-exclusive gamer (never even hooked my Switch up to the dock)!

The only Online app I haven't played yet at all is the Sega Genesis one, because I here most of those games are can be played through the "Sega Genesis Classics" Collection, which I'm planning on getting on the Switch. Even then, I've got one of those "AtGames Sega Genesis Ultimate Portable Game Player" Systems that can play games from an SD card, so while it's technically not a dedicated gaming device, it will scratch that Genesis itch for the time being...

N64. Always love an excuse to play Mario 64 and Starfox 64 again.

It is great these games still exist and are accessible. It's lovely that people that pleasure from them too. A snapshot in time which people are able to link with their memories.

I tried to get into retro (80s/90s) gaming around 2005 and just thought after about an hour, "What the hell am I doing?". It started to sully my original memories of what those games meant and who I had played them with.

For me, games are just SO MUCH better these days. I have subscribed to NSO really just to have a cloud save.

That being said, one day I may go in search of those old narrative adventures where the technology was really just a vessel for the writing.

SNES ans N64 initially, but as more games get released it'll be now be the GBA.
And I'd actually prefer that Nintendo would remaster GameCube and Wii games to Metroid Prime remastered's quality and remake DS and 3DS games for Switch and future consoles.

I played Banjo Kazooie all the way through 100% but otherwise nothing else

@Handheld_TrifectAce Maybe you should know that emulation's quality of Sega Genesis Collection is inferior to NSO's emulation. I don't really recommand that collection, unless we have no other choice.

@Rudolf Ah, really? I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the info! Perhaps I'll save my money and check out the NSO Genesis games after all.

Definitely N64, it's the only one with really something to offer. The rest are just kind of a bonus, nice to have but the games are so easily emulated these days.

@MikeJones I have always wondered if Nintendo thought it was worth it to make a Virtual Boy emulator, or if they don't want to shine a light on that part of their history, since they considered VB as a commercial failure. In my opinion, as small as the VB library is, they could have easily put their first-party titles on the 3DS e-Shop under their "3D Classics" banner. By the way, I love your username, and icon. Nintendo really needs to make another StarTropics. it's just sitting there in Nintendo history, like Kid Icarus was until a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee suggested Nintendo was thinking of making a new game for the franchise. Then, in the next Smash, Pit was playable.

N64 but that's only because of Ocarina of Time. I enjoy them all and usually play the one that came out the most recently the most. So I'm spending most of my time on GBA and GB right now.

Wish they would add the TurboGrafx-16. I loved playing it on the original Wii Virtual Console. A lot of gems in that catalog like Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and Lords of Thunder.

If those filthy communists had given us Legend of the Seven Stars on SNES it would be that. Or if/when we get any Gen I/II Pokémon on GB it will be that. But without those options it’s just the occasional game of Mario Golf on 64.