Tag: Nintendo Switch Online
News Nintendo Talks About Connecting Players With Its Past Via Switch Online
"We would like to continue exploring a variety of possibilities"
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has reiterated in a recent (and now translated) shareholders meeting how the Japanese firm will continue to "create opportunities" for people to experience Nintendo's past with "initiatives" such as Switch Online. This was tied to a question asking...
News Nintendo Music "Special Release" Update Adds Songs From The New Rhythm Heaven Game
Listen to the beat
Rhythm Heaven Groove is out this week on the Switch and to celebrate the Nintendo Music app has been updated with a "special release". This adds seven tracks from the new game and has a run time of 15 minutes. Below is every song included. Nintendo has also released new icon elements inspired by Rhythm Heaven Groove today. And if...
News Tetris 99's New Crossover Event Celebrates The Return Of Star Fox, Unlock A Special Theme
New Switch icons have also been released
Star Fox is out today on the Switch 2, and to celebrate Fox McCloud's return, Nintendo has announced a new event for its additive online battle royale title, Tetris 99. This 55th 'Maximus Cup' will take flight on 10th July 2026 and runs until 13th July 2026. During this time, if you compete in the online...
News Switch Online's June Game Trial Kicks Off With EA Sports FC 26
Cup fever
Nintendo is joining in on the World Cup celebrations this month with a new game trial for Switch 2 and Switch systems. It's for EA Sports FC 26, allowing Switch Online members to put their "dream squad" to the test in local and online multiplayer. You can also lead your team through challenges based on real-world scenarios or develop a...
Don't miss it
If you're looking to get a little extra out of the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, Nintendo is currently offering a free bonus month. This offer applies to Switch 1 & 2 users in the US when purchasing or redeeming a 12-month individual or family membership of the premium tier before 28th July 2026. Existing Switch Online +...
News Capcom Has "No Plans" To Bring Resident Evil Code: Veronica X To Switch Online
Sorry, GameCube fans
Resident Evil Code: Veronica is getting a remake for the Switch 2 next year, and it's already led to questions about the possibility of the GameCube version Resident Evil Code: Veronica X being revived for the 'Nintendo Classics' Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Unfortunately, right now, there are "no plans for that"...
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...
News 'DK Challenge' Will Put Your NSO & Bananza Skills To The Test For A Limited Time
With a Mario-themed Bananza event in tow
We heard rumours of some incoming NSO challenges yesterday, and in today's Direct, they materialised. The 'DK Challenge' event kicks off tomorrow, 10th June, at 2am BST / 3am CET / 6pm PT (9th) / 9pm ET (9th), and will be sticking around until 1st September. These new challenges will put your skills to the...
News Select Nintendo Classics Games Might Be Getting Special Challenges Soon
Direct Remix
With a Nintendo Direct right around the corner, it was only a matter of time before the speculation began about its contents. It's been ticking away for a few weeks now with all of those Ocarina of Time rumours, and today, an NSO theory has entered the fray. As spotted on Bluesky by dataminer @luigiblood, the NES, SNES and Game Boy...
Review Donkey Kong 64 - Kicks Some Serious Tail, But Goes Too Far
C'mon Cranky, take it to the fridge
This review was originally published in April 2015 alongside the Wii U eShop's Virtual Console release. We're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of the game in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack N64 library. At the mere mention of Nintendo's 64-bit console, many of us find it difficult not...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's N64 Library With Another Game
Update: DK64 is back!
If you were a fan of Donkey Kong 64, you'll be pleased to hear it's finally back to kick some tail next week. Nintendo has today announced the 1999 title, developed by Rare, will be added to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service on 4th June 2026. It comes loaded with not only the famous DK Rap, but also a bunch of Kongs...
News The Original Pikmin Soundtrack Has Been Added To Nintendo Music
"Carry, fight, multiply and get eaten"
The Nintendo Music mobile app for Switch Online subscribers has been updated today with the original Pikmin soundtrack. This GameCube classic made its debut in 2001/02 and the soundtrack was composed by Hajime Wakai, who is known for his work on not only the Pikmin series but also The Legend of Zelda and Star...
News Tetris 99's Latest Crossover Event Celebrates Yoshi's New Game, Unlock A Special Theme
Starting this week
To celebrate the arrival of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on the Switch 2 last week, Nintendo has announced the 54th cup event for its Switch Online battle royale title Tetris 99. This in-game event will begin later this week on 29th May 2026 and runs until 1st June 2026. As usual, if you earn 100 event points during this period,...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online Virtual Boy Game Ranked
All the VB games on NSO
Updated with the May 2026 additions. Enjoy! Of all of Nintendo's consoles, the Virtual Boy is one of the most fascinating due to being a rare hardware flop in the company's storied history. It might be the worst-selling Nintendo system ever (and it never even launched in Europe), but there's some great software and...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Virtual Boy Library With Five More Games
Available for Expansion Pack subscribers
Nintendo has today added five Virtual Boy titles to its Switch Online + Expansion Pack 'Nintendo Classics' service. This includes the maze game Jack Bros. from Atlus, a Space Invaders release from Taito Corporation, Bullet-Proof's title V-Tetris, Hudson Soft's shoot 'em up Vertical Force and Athena's Virtual...
PSA You Can Play Star Fox's Switch 2 Game With A Nintendo 64 Controller
Joy-Con 2 mouse controls are also supported
If you're a veteran pilot, Nintendo has revealed you'll be right at home with the new version of Star Fox on the Switch 2. In this modernised adventure, based on the 1997 original, Nintendo has highlighted the ability to play with a Nintendo 64 controller. During the Star Fox Direct, Nintendo's Yoshiaki...
News Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Has Received Its First Update On Switch
A small patch for your island, addressing "several issues"
Following its launch on the Switch last week, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has today received its first update, bumping the game up to Version 1.0.1. Nintendo's patch notes don't go into detail about what exactly has been updated in this version of the social sim, but in general,...
Guide Nintendo Switch Online Icons - All 'Missions And Rewards' Icon Elements For Switch 1 & 2
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 & 2 are pretty great,...
News Nintendo's GameCube App Has Received A Small Update Today (Version 1.6.1)
One for Pokémon XD players
Following last month's release of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness for the Switch Online GameCube library, Nintendo has now updated this app again. This bumps it up to Version 1.6.1 and apparently comes with a helpful bug fix for the same title after reports of game crashes, resulting in players losing save data (thanks...
News Animal Crossing's GameCube Soundtrack Has Been Added To Nintendo Music
Let the anniversary celebrations begin
Animal Crossing fans who want a blast from the past can now listen to the GameCube version's soundtrack on Nintendo Music. This release also happens to line up with the series 25th anniversary. This week's update adds 158 tracks (that's a huge run time of 5 hours and 18 minutes) and also includes songs from...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online NES Game Ranked
Magic 8-bit
The collection of NES games available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers continues to grow, with over 80 retro releases from the original Nintendo Entertainment System or Famicom to play via the service. The following ranked list includes every NSO NES game, compiled using User Ratings (out of 10) from our database. As such, this...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's NES Library With Three More Games
Play them right now
Nintendo has today added three more games to its Switch Online 'Nintendo Classics' subscription service. The latest releases are for the NES library and include Namco's Pac-Man from 1988, the 1989 puzzle title Mendel Palace (developed by the Pokémon team Game Freak and published by Namco in Japan), and Namco's 1984 action...
News More Splatoon 3 Songs Have Been Added To Nintendo Music Today
A side order of music
Nintendo Music continues to add new tracks to its library, and this week sees the arrival of more songs for the Splatoon 3 album. As described in the mobile app, this new update adds a total of 112 tracks to the service. This includes tracks from the DLC Side Order, the Grand Festival and "more". You'll be able to listen to...
News Nintendo Really Wants You To Press Switch 2's GameChat Button
Press the C Button to unlock your NSO reward
We're not joking about this, but just days after Nintendo ended its GameChat "Welcome Offer" promo, it's now running a new "Missions & Rewards" event, encouraging Switch 2 users to make use of the system's voice chat and video features. This "limited time" offer allows you to unlock GameChat themed user...
PSA Switch 2's "GameChat Welcome Offer" Ends This Month, Try It Out For Free While You Still Can
Update: The free trial will end today
[Sat 21st Mar, 2026 05:55 GMT] When the Switch 2 arrived last June, Nintendo introduced a special "Welcome Offer" for GameChat, which allowed users to access these features for free for a "limited-time". As we get closer to the end of March, it means there's now just over a week left to try out these features...
News Switch 2's GameCube App Has Been Updated (Version 1.6.0)
Here are the reported improvements
Switch Online's 'Nintendo Classics' service has improved each retro game library over time, and alongside the release of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness yesterday, the GameCube app has been updated. If you didn't already notice, this application available to Switch 2 users has now jumped from Version 1.5.0 to...
News Super Metroid's Soundtrack Has Been Added To Nintendo Music Today
Here's every song included
Nintendo has been quite busy today with the rollout of a system firmware update for the Switch 1 & 2 and a new "Handheld Boost Mode". It hasn't forgotten about the weekly Nintendo Music app update, announcing it's (finally) added the album from the 1994 SNES title, Super Metroid. This album was composed by Kenji Yamamoto...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Virtual Boy And GBA Library With Three More Titles
Update: MAR10 Day is here!
Ahead of the 10th March 2026 (aka Mario Day), Nintendo has announced it will be expanding the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service for the Switch and Switch 2. These three titles arriving on Mario Day include two Virtual Boy games and one Game Boy Advance title, with all of these titles requiring users to have access to...
PSA Pokémon Pokopia Players Can Now Tour The Developer's Cloud Island
You'll need a code and Switch Online sub to visit
Apart from Mystery Gifts and events, the new relaxing life-sim Pokémon Pokopia for Switch 2 also allows you to visit Cloud Islands, which are separate from the main game experience. To give players a sample of what's to come in this new adventure, The Pokémon Company has joined in on the fun -...
News Pokémon XD: Gale Of Darkness Comes To Switch 2 GameCube NSO In March
Shadowy
At last, we're getting another Pokémon game on Nintendo Switch Online! And it's the cult favourite RPG Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness on GameCube. Coming to the GameCube Nintendo Classics library — meaning it's exclusive to the Switch 2 — in March 2026, XD: Gale of Darkness is the second of two RPG-style spin-offs that released on the...
Pokémon GBA's Switch eShop release is a special occasion
Nintendo has already ruled out the Game Boy Advance titles Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen coming to the Switch Online 'Nintendo Classics' service, so how about the possibility of more Game Boy purchases via the eShop, similar to the Virtual Console releases during the 3DS and Wii U generations...
Review Virtual Boy For Switch 1 & 2 - Is It Really Worth Revisting Nintendo's Greatest Folly?
Virtual insanity?
Only Nintendo could get its fans excited about a re-release of one of its most dramatic commercial flops, and, as somebody who is old and grey enough to recall the disaster that was the Virtual Boy the first time around, I find it endlessly amusing that its resurrection as a Switch accessory has caused such interest. But then...
ICYMI Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Switch Icons Have Returned
Don't miss them!
Nintendo has this week surprised Xenoblade fans with a Switch 2 Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. There is also a paid upgrade for existing owners. To celebrate the Switch 2 version, Nintendo has also revived the game's themed icons for Switch Online members. Yes, in case you missed it, there are four waves...
Poll How Would You Rate The Nintendo Classics Virtual Boy Launch Games?
I see red, I see red, I see red
The Virtual Boy app for Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack launched this week, giving many Nintendo fans the very first chance to play these games in an official capacity. Some older die-hards may have an original VB knocking around or might have sampled its monochrome delights sometime over the last 30 years,...
(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...
PSA Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage Switch 2 Open Beta Test Starts This Week
Including cross-play network testing
Ahead of next month's release of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage on the Switch 2 this March, Sega is running an open beta test. Yes, in case you missed this news, it starts this week from 18th February 2026 and will run until 23rd February 2026. To join the fight, you'll need to an active Switch Online...
Gallery We've Got The Virtual Boy Accessory For Nintendo Switch Online
It's a big boy
Well, what a lovely surprise! Our local Royal Mail representative knocked on the door today and delivered a curious-looking box, and it turns out that it's none other than the Virtual Boy accessory for Nintendo Switch Online! Yes, it seems like a whole bunch of people – in the UK, at least – are receiving their retail Virtual...
News Mario Tennis Fever Takes To The Court With A Small Day One Game Update
Version 1.0.1 is required to play online
If you plan on picking up Mario Tennis Fever on the Switch 2 this week, be ready for a day one update bumping the new software up to Version 1.0.1. According to the official patch notes on Nintendo's support page, the development team has apparently addressed "several issues" to "improve the gameplay...
Round Up The Previews Are In For Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics
Here's what the critics think
Nintendo is launching its Virtual Boy- Nintendo Classics digital library for the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service later this month, and the previews are now in. First up are our own impressions from Nintendo Life staff writer Ollie Reynolds: "It’s no secret that the Virtual Boy failed spectacularly when it...
News Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Game Boy Library With Two More Titles
Available now
As we enter February, Nintendo has today announced two more titles for the Switch Online's Game Boy library. Following the recent Super Mario Galaxy Movie Yoshi reveal, Nintendo seems to be continuing the Yoshi celebrations with the release of the 1991/92 puzzle-themed Game Boy title Yoshi. Alongside this, Nintendo has locally...
Preview Five Takeaways From My Time With Virtual Boy On Nintendo Switch Online
Oh boy
Given that fans were expecting (or perhaps hoping, to be more accurate) to see DS games added to Switch Online, the upcoming inclusion of Virtual Boy on 17th February 2026 is quite possibly the biggest surprise from Nintendo in recent years. Did anyone really ask for this? Probably not. Is it pretty neat regardless? Definitely. Although the...
Rumour Switch Online GameCube Releases Might Have Been Leaked
Update: Nintendo says image "incorrectly included" games
[Tue 27th Jan, 2026 04:25 GMT]: If you're wondering what could be on the way to the Switch Online's GameCube library in the future, you might want to read on... What appears to be official promotional material for the Switch Online + Expansion Pack 'Nintendo Classics' library has been...
News Switch Online's Virtual Boy Adding New Feature To Change Screen Colour "Later This Year"
Just remove the red lens cover
Yesterday, Nintendo shared an update about its Virtual Boy library coming to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack next month. Although it seemingly doubles down on the requirement to purchase new headsets, on a more welcoming note, there will be some quality-of-life enhancements. Apart from the usual options, including...
News Two Cancelled Virtual Boy Games Coming To NSO In 2026, Including F-Zero Spin-Off
An Intelligent Systems top-down adventure also on the way
We now know the launch line-up for the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics service, coming to Nintendo Switch Online on 17th February 2026. And while it's all worth getting excited over, there are two never-before-released games coming out later in the year that Nintendo enthusiasts should be...
News Nintendo Announces Launch Line-Up For Switch Online Virtual Boy
Two previously unreleased games are also coming in 2026
Those of you excited to relive the glory days of the Virtual Boy only have a few more weeks to wait until you can play them on Nintendo Switch Online on Switch 1 and Switch 2. 17th February is approaching fast! Today, Nintendo has dropped a brand new trailer confirming the launch line-up for...
News Nintendo Music Adds Another Legendary Zelda Soundtrack, Here's Every Song Included
Now, how about Spirit Tracks?
To get the Zelda 40th anniversary celebrations underway, Nintendo Music has this week added The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass soundtrack. The primary composers were Kenta Nagata and Toru Minegishi, who both previously worked on the soundtrack for the GameCube title The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. This DS...
News Nintendo's First Game Trial Of 2026 Is Exclusive To Switch 2 (North America)
Sorry, Switch fans
Nintendo has announced its first Switch Online game trial of 2026 for North America. It's also apparently the first time a trial has been exclusive to the Switch 2. It's EA Sports Madden NFL 26, which launched on the Switch 2 in August last year. This game trial is available between now and 21st January 2026, and gives players...
News Tetris 99's First Maximus Cup Of 2026 Celebrates Animal Crossing, Unlock A Special Theme
Return to island life
Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition officially launches next week, and ahead of this, Nintendo's Switch Online battle royale game Tetris 99 has announced it will be hosting a Maximus Cup to celebrate. This is the 51st Maximus Cup (also known as a Grand Prix) and will take place between 8th January 2026...
Opinion The Nintendo Console Nobody Wanted To Review Returns Soon, And I'm Here For It, Again
The crimson comeback
As someone who witnessed its initial release, I’m delightfully baffled that Nintendo is resurrecting the Virtual Boy. We aren't just getting a passing mention or a trophy in a Smash Bros. game; we’re getting a full-blown revival, including a dedicated NSO app, a $100 authentic replica peripheral, and a $25 cardboard cutout...
The path to a radiant dawn awaits
Did you know that the Japanese version of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance has a 'Maniac' difficulty mode? You did? And did you know that this mode sort of fixes my biggest problem with the game? You did? Can I do the review anyway? Thanks. Jumping back into Path of Radiance, the first home console FE, for the first...
