Overview
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- Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online Guides & Walkthroughs
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online NES Game Ranked
Magic 8-bit
Updated with Ninja Gaiden III, R.C. Pro-AM II, and Ikari Warriors from the September 2026 update. Enjoy! The collection of NES games available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers continues to grow, with the number of 'Nintendo Classics' from the original Nin
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Virtual Boy Game Ranked
All the VB games on NSO
Following the addition of D-Hopper and Zero Racers — unreleased Virtual Boy games released for the sirst time via NSO — we're updating and republishing this article. Enjoy! Of all of Nintendo's consoles, the Virtual Boy is one of the most fascinating as a rare hardware flop in the company's storied history. It might be...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy (Color) Game Ranked
All the GB and GBC games on NSO
Updated with Fortified Zone, The Sword of Hope II, and Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 from the July 2026 update. Enjoy! Game Boy and GB Color titles first arrived on Nintendo Switch Online in February 2023, pleasing many old-
Guide DK Challenge Event: Challenge Card List & Event End Date
Complete NSO challenges across Donkey Kong history to earn time-limited rewards
The DK Challenge event tasks Switch players with completing a series of Donkey Kong challenges to win themed Challenge Cards. The challenges have you jump into Donkey Kong games across the Nintendo Classics library, as well as the most recent series release, Donkey Kong...
Guide Nintendo Switch Online Icons - All 'Missions And Rewards' Icon Elements For Switch 1 & 2
Rhythm Paradise Groove! Star Fox! Animal Crossing: New Horizons!
Back in April 2022, Nintendo introduces its 'Missions & Rewards' program to Nintendo Switch Online. Basically, this is a way to add brand new icons and icon elements to your account, allowing you to customise your online profile a little bit more. While the default options on Switch 1...
(Yes, you can, with a Switch 1)
Virtual Boy has finally arrived on Nintendo Switch Online, if you're a subscriber to the Expansion Pack tier - and if you've got the $100 accessory from My Nintendo Store or the still-pretty-pricey cardboard alternative. If $25 for the cardboard viewer required to see the 3D visuals as intended still feels like an...
Guide Nintendo Switch Online Game Trials List - Latest Game Trial Dates, Full History
The trial never ends*
If you're a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber, Nintendo periodically makes certain Switch eShop games available to download and play for free for a limited time - usually one week. These aren't demos - they're the full game with all online features enabled, and there's no limit on the playtime in the trial period. So, if you...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online N64 Game Ranked
All the N64 games on NSO
The library of Nintendo 64 games on Switch and Switch 2 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 N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online are the very best? We've...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online SNES Game, Ranked
All the Super NES games on NSO
The library of SNES games available on Switch with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription now stands at 77 titles. While it may lag behind the number of NES games on the service, there are plenty of Super NES gems to enjoy. But which SNES games on Switch are best? Well, we asked Nintendo Life readers to rate them using...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy Advance (GBA) Game Ranked
The best GBA 'Nintendo Classics' on Switch
Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers have instant access to a growing library of brilliant handheld games from yesteryear, including Game Boy Advance entries in some of Nintendo's biggest series. Are they all brilliant, though? Well, with the help of you lovely Nintendo Life readers, we can...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Game On Switch 2, Ranked
12 games, 11 now playable on NS2
Switch 2 brought some long-awaited GameCube games into the fold along with the other Nintendo Switch Online retro libraries. We've rounded up all the announced 'Nintendo Classics' GameCube games on Switch 2 below, ranked according to their ratings in our database. Remember - not all of these are playable on Switch 2...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game Ranked
All the Sega Mega Drive games, ranked by you
Updated with Streets of Rage, Super Thunder Blade, and ESWAT: City Under Siege following the April update. Remember, the ranking below is dynamic and will change according to each game's User Rating in our
Best Nintendo Switch Online Games
Latest Nintendo Switch Online News & Features
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's GBA Library With Three More Titles
Monster Rancher, Metal Slug & Kururin are here!
Nintendo has today expanded its Switch Online 'Nintendo Classics' library with three more Game Boy Advance titles. The games added to this particular collection include Tecmo's 2001 life-sim spin-off Monster Rancher Advance, SNK's 2004 run and gun Metal Slug Advance, and the 2002 Japan-only puzzle...
News This Wonderful Animal Crossing-Like Is Now Free For Switch Online Members
Play until 15th October
Nintendo has today launched its next free Game Trial for Switch Online members in North America, and it's a doozy. Hello Kitty Island Adventure (the Switch 1 version) is the latest game in the offer, available at no extra cost to all those with an active NSO membership from today (9th October at 10am PT) until 15th October...
News One Of The Switch's Most Underrated Gems Is Now Free For Switch Online Users
But only until 30th Sep
Nintendo has announced that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the latest title to receive a free trial for Switch Online subscribers. Available in both North America and Europe, you can download the full game from the eShop at no extra cost, with availability lasting until 30th September 2026. Save data will also be...
News Another WarioWare Album Has Been Added To Nintendo Music
But next week "there will be no new tracks"
Nintendo Music hasn't been quite as active recently, but today it's back with a huge update, adding the WarioWare: Move It! soundtrack. WarioWare: Move It! was released on the Switch in 2023. The album was composed by Jo Kondo, Haruno Ito and Shoma Murata & includes a total of 576 tracks, with a runtime...
News Nintendo Store Adds Some New Exclusives For Switch Online Members (North America)
A Zelda metal desktop display and Virtual Boy glasses case
The Nintendo Store has been updated this week in North America with some new "exclusives". These can be purchased with Platinum Points and are available to Switch Online members. First up, we have a desktop metal display of Zelda's original NES release. It's priced at 1,000 Platinum Points...
PSA You Can Play Star Fox Adventures In Widescreen Mode On Switch 2
Toggle it now
Nintendo expanded its GameCube line-up on Nintendo Switch Online this week with the addition of Star Fox Adventures, the divisive 2002 adventure title from developer Rare. It's been a heck of a busy week, but we thought it wise to let you know that Star Fox Adventures is one of a handful of GameCube titles that offers native...
News Star Fox Fans Are Eating Good, With An NSO Drop And A Switch 2 Update Inbound
The Adventure Continues
Back-to-back Star Fox news? What are the odds? Nintendo had a dynamic duo of Star Fox drops for us in today's Direct. It kicked things off with the reveal that the recent Switch 2 release will soon be getting a free update, adding new Battle Mode stages and split-screen options (only at 30fps, mind) for those after a bit...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online NES Game Ranked
Magic 8-bit
Updated with Ninja Gaiden III, R.C. Pro-AM II, and Ikari Warriors from the September 2026 update. Enjoy! The collection of NES games available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers continues to grow, with the number of 'Nintendo Classics' from the original Nin
News Paper Mario's Nintendo 64 Soundtrack Joins Nintendo Music Today
And so, the story begins
The Switch Online Nintendo Music service has today been updated with the Nintendo 64 album Paper Mario. This RPG arrived in 2000, and its soundtrack was composed by Yuka Tsujiyoko (she is also known for Fire Emblem), with Koji Kondo credited as the "Mario & Yoshi" original music composer. The soundtrack on Nintendo Music...
News Nintendo Switch App Update Adds Some Handy New Features
Download it today
Nintendo has already released multiple game updates this week, and it's now rolled out a new software update for its Nintendo Switch App on mobile devices. This is the first update to arrive since earlier this year in March. It might not be the most exciting patch, but it does come with some handy features. Here's what Version...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's NES Library With Three More Titles
Japan's Famicom library also got an update
Switch Online's NES Classics library has today added three more titles as part of the September 2026 games update. This latest batch of titles includes Tecmo's 1991 platformer Ninja Gaiden III, Rare's 1992 racing game R.C. Pro-AM II and the 1986 SNK run and gun, Ikari Warriors. Here is the official...
News Fire Emblem: Three Houses Returns In Nintendo Music's Latest Album Update
Here's every song included
Ahead of the release of Fortune's Weave on the Switch 2 next month, the Nintendo Music app has today received a new update adding the Switch album, Fire Emblem: Three Houses. The sound director for this title was Takeru Kanazaki. He was also the lead on music composition, with Hiroki Morishita and Rei Kondoh also credited...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Virtual Boy Game Ranked
All the VB games on NSO
Following the addition of D-Hopper and Zero Racers — unreleased Virtual Boy games released for the sirst time via NSO — we're updating and republishing this article. Enjoy! Of all of Nintendo's consoles, the Virtual Boy is one of the most fascinating as a rare hardware flop in the company's storied history. It might be...
News SimCity SNES Soundtrack Makes A Surprise Return In This Week's Nintendo Music Update
Now, how about the game?
Nintendo's music app for Switch Online members has today been updated with the SimCity SNES soundtrack. This version of Will Wright's city-building hit was released on the Super Nintendo in 1991. Nintendo published the title and also helped Maxis with this version of the game. The soundtrack,
News Embark On An Epic Voyage With The Latest Switch Online Game Trial (Europe)
No Man's Sky is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary
No Man's Sky may not have launched in the best state, but over the last decade, Sean Murray and his team at Hello Games have continued to update the title with new content and features to improve the overall experience. During this time, the developer has also released the game on the...
News Switch Online's DK Challenge Now Offering Physical 39-Card Set Reward
A "limited-time offer" until 1st September
In June, Nintendo announced the new Switch Online event 'DK Challenge' where players could unlock digital challenge cards as a reward. Nintendo has now taken this a step further, announcing Donkey Kong fans in the US can receive a physical 39-card set if they complete the "entire DK Challenge". This...
Review Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube) - Not What We Expected, But It Still Shines
Water, water everywhere, so let's all have a drink!
This retro review was originally published in April 2010. We're republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack GameCube library. Mario made his 3D platforming debut on the N64 way back in 1996 in one of the greatest and most influential pieces of gaming...
News Super Mario Sunshine's Soundtrack Joins Nintendo Music Today, Here's Every Song Included
Take a trip to paradise
Alongside the Switch Online + Expansion update game today, Nintendo has released the soundtrack for Super Mario Sunshine on Nintendo Music. This game's album was composed by Koji Kondo and Shinobu Tanaka, it contains 58 tracks and has a total run time of 1 hour and 34 minutes. Here's the full soundtrack: Super Mario...
News Nintendo Expands Switch 2's GameCube Library With Another Game This Week
Update: Return to Isle Delfino in Super Mario Sunshine today
[Fri 31st Jul, 2026 02:05 BST]: Nintendo has this week announced its Switch Online 'Nintendo Classics' service will be adding the GameCube title Super Mario Sunshine on 13th August 2026. This title debuted on the GameCube in 2002 and was previously made available in the Super Mario 3D...
Mini Review Dragon Hopper (Virtual Boy) - A Zelda-Like With Height, Heart, And A Spring In Its Step
Worth hopping into
Editor's note: Due to the low resolution and peculiarities of how screengrabs display for Virtual Boy games on NSO, all the screens here are Nintendo press shots. When Nintendo pulled the plug on 1995’s Virtual Boy after roughly a year on the market, Dragon Hopper was one of its immediate casualties. Developed by Intelligent...
Nintendo Switch Online Videos
List latest youtube videos we've done about Nintendo Switch Online.