Tag: Nintendo Switch Online - Page 5
News Mario Kart 8's Booster Course Music Has Already Been Ripped, And It's Glorious
Alert! They've removed the midi horns!
We've still got a few hours to wait until Wave 1 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is playable here at Nintendo Life Towers, and so have most players in the West (most, but not
News Three Sega Genesis Games Have Been Added To Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Try 'em out today!
Scheduled maintenance yesterday suggested Nintendo would be updating its Switch Online Expansion Pack service with some additional Sega Genesis/Mega Drive titles and sure enough, three more games have now been added to the service. The latest additions include Light Crusader, Super Fantasy Zone and Alien Soldier. Here's a bit...
Return to the track later this week
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe makes a glorious return later this week on 18th March with the help of brand new DLC content. The first lot of courses (eight in total) are part of wave one - forming the Golden Dash Cup and Lucky Cat Cup. Ahead of the race later this week, Nintendo has asked fans over on Twitter what course...
Review F-Zero X - The Best The Series Has To Offer
X gonna give it to ya
This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the release of F-Zero X on Switch, available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 library. The original F-Zero on the Super Nintendo really blew gamers away with its stunning use of Mode 7 visuals, colourful graphics,...
News F-Zero X Is Now Available On Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Online multiplayer included
Update [Fri 11th Mar, 2022 01:45 GMT]: F-Zero X has now been made available to Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers. If you're not seeing it in your N64 library, you may have to manually update the app from the Switch home menu. Original article [Wed 9th Mar, 2022 01:05 GMT]: Nintendo's N64 library for the Switch...
Gallery Here's A Look At The Switch Online Version Of F-Zero X, Plus A Video Comparison
Update: See the high speed differences
Update: The folks over at GameXplain have put together a short side-by-side video, recreating the trailer on authentic N64 hardware. The Switch Online version looks much smoother, sharper, and the colours pop more. See for yourself! Original story: Earlier today, Nintendo revealed its N64 hit F-Zero X would...
News Nintendo Switch Online Members Can Try 'Monster Hunter Rise' For Free
For one week only
Budding hunters can rise up to the challenge this week — if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, that is. Nintendo has announced that those using this service can try out Monster Hunter Rise for free! That surely means more than just a demo, with players able to access the full game for a limited time. So, from 10 AM...
News Switch Online's "Missions & Rewards" Adds More Super Mario Odyssey Icons
It's a celebration of Mario this month
Ahead of MAR10 Day later this week, Nintendo has added some new Super Mario Odyssey icons to the recently launched "Missions & Rewards" for Switch Online subscription service. These icons will be available until 5th April, and icon parts will apparently be updated on a weekly basis. Here's a look: If...
News Nintendo Switch Online App Version 2.0.0 Includes Biggest Updates Yet
A new lick of paint and more!
The Nintendo Switch Online App has been updated to version 2.0.0 this morning, bringing with it a whole slew of changes that are absolutely for the best. This is the biggest overhaul of the app since its release back in 2017, and follows the recent Missions and Rewards updates to Nintendo Switch Online. Here are the...
Poll Are You A Fan Of Nintendo Switch Online's Game Pass-Style Missions And Rewards?
Yep, Nintendo is starting to 'get it'
It's always a popular — and accurate — go-to joke that Nintendo's online offering will be largely similar to whatever Xbox and PlayStation did a decade ago. Harsh, but often fair. Maybe, just maybe that's started to change in the Switch era. Now, let's be upfront and say Nintendo is still on the cautious...
See for yourself
Nintendo yesterday added another game to its Switch Online Expansion Pack and updated the N64 library to Version 2.0.0. There have been all sorts of improvements, but this latest update is even better than expected, it seems. According to "Zelda 64 researcher" and Twitter user
Review The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Magnificent, Unique, And Worth Revisiting
Okay, campers, rise and shine
This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the release of Majora's Mask on Switch, available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 library. The Zelda games have a lot of fans and there's also been plenty of opportunities over the years to revisit...
News Nintendo Appears To Have Improved Switch Online's N64 Emulation
Fog returns to Zelda, fixes to Paper Mario and more...
When Nintendo first launched its Expansion Pack tier for Switch Online, N64 emulation was accused of not matching the original experience. Since then, Nintendo has released some updates to improve certain games on the Nintendo 64 service, and now the latest one - bumping the service up to...
News The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask Now Available On Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Save Termina (again)
Update [Fri 25th Feb, 2022 01:45 GMT]: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask has now been made available to Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers. You'll be able to access it via the Nintendo 64 games library. Original article [Fri 18th Feb, 2022 01:05 GMT]: We knew it was only a matter of time before The Legend of Zelda:...
Video Some Of Us Prefer Zelda: Majora's Mask Over Ocarina Of Time Because We're Right
Bore-carina of Lame, amiright?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is rightly considered one of the best games in the history of the art form, but many edgy hipsters think that its sort-of sequel The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is in fact a preferable experience if you can blinking believe it. We can because the three of us involved in the video...
Soapbox NSO Isn't Game Pass, But Nintendo Is Learning The Benefits Of Subscription Models
SLOWLY, but steadily adding value
In Nintendo's February 2022 Direct, we found out that yet another boon is being added to the rapidly-expanding number of benefits that come with Nintendo's Switch Online Expansion Pack: The 48 DLC tracks for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. We already have access to the catalogue of N64 games (which are being sllllooowwwly...
Poll Will Mario Kart 8's Deluxe Booster Course Pass Make You Buy The NSO Expansion Pack?
Or are you still on the fence?
Nintendo recently announced the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, the DLC that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been sorely needing for quite some time. The Booster Course Pass will come in separate waves all the way up until the end of 2023, with the first wave coming in March. It will cost $24.99 USD / $32.99 CAN /...
News The Next Free Switch Online Trial For Japan Has Been Revealed
It's Neko Tomo: Smile Mashimashi
Nintendo has revealed its next free trial for Switch Online service subscribers located in Japan. This time around, it's the Japanese exclusive Neko Tomo: Smile Mashimashi by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Neko Tomo originally launched on the Switch (and 3DS) in 2018 and follows on from Teddy Together. 'Smile...
Review EarthBound Beginnings - A Charming Curio That Mother Fans Will Cherish
Everybody's gotta start somewhere
This review originally went live in 2015, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of EarthBound Beginnings in the Nintendo Switch Online NES library. If you were an early adopter of EarthBound fanaticism in the West, you likely caught wind of a previous title made for the Famicom. Translated...
Review EarthBound - A Quirky, Cosmic Adventure Bound To Warm Your Heart
Mother!
This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of Earthbound in the Nintendo Switch Online Super NES library. Fuzzy pickles! Back in 1995, this second instalment of Shigesato Itoi's much-loved Mother series (as it's known in Japan) only received a western release in North America, where...
News Nintendo Shares The Original EarthBound Player's Guide Online
Ah, the '90s
After lots of waiting Nintendo finally delivered what a number of Nintendo Switch Online subscribers have demanded - EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings were released on the NES and SNES apps. Nintendo didn't go above and beyond and deliver us a localised iteration of Mother 3, sadly, but titles that were previously individual...
News EarthBound And EarthBound Beginnings Out Now On Nintendo Switch Online
Update: Creator Shigesato Itoi dropped a hint earlier on
Update: EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings are available now on the Nintendo Switch Online service. Shigesato Itoi, you wily old fox, you! Here's some PR: Join Ness, Paula, Jeff and Poo in their quest to fulfill an age-old prophecy to stop the wicked Giygas (and maybe catch a Runaway Five...
News Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Is Finally Getting DLC
'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass' contains 48 remastered tracks
Nintendo has revealed that it is finally releasing DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Switch's best-selling game. 48 remastered tracks from past Mario Kart games will be included. These will be released in waves up until the end of 2023. The first wave arrives on March 18th...
News Switch Hackers Add Controller Pak Support To N64's Online Library
Time Trial Ghosts return in Mario Kart 64
One feature missing from Switch Online's Nintendo 64 library is Controller Pak support. Back in the day, it functioned as a memory card and could be used to store and transfer save files and other data (like Time Trial Ghosts in Mario Kart 64). While it can't be used in the Switch's N64 emulator, datamines...
Video MVG Takes A Closer Look At Nintendo Switch Online's N64 Update
"emulation on the Switch is getting better"
Last week, Nintendo added Banjo-Kazooie to the Switch Online Expansion Pack tier. In addition to this, it seems N64 emulation has received an update - and one of the fixes spotted was tied to water and fog in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Game developer and YouTuber 'MV
News Free Switch Online Trials Are Available To My Nintendo Members (North America)
Seven days for the price of zero Platinum Points
Update [Mon 24th Jan, 2022 00:00 GMT]: There's one week remaining on this offer - so grab it while you can if you are eligible. Original article [Mon 27th Dec, 2021 05:00 GMT]: If you are a My Nintendo member located in North America, then you might be one of the eligible users who can currently...
News Xbox Studio Rare "Immensely Pleased" About Banjo-Kazooie's Arrival On Switch
We've waited almost 24 years...
It was a bittersweet moment yesterday when Banjo-Kazooie arrived on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack service. As fantastic as it is to see the UK developer's iconic duo return to a Nintendo platform after so long. It's now been nearly 20 years since Rare was acquired by Microsoft, and almost 24 since the...
Video Nintendo Fixed* The Water Emulation In Ocarina Of Time On Switch
*A bit
If you cast your minds back to the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, it was a time of great joy as Nintendo fans around the world linked arms and sang the Mario theme. Well, actually, the conversation was about emulation standards, wonky button mapping and the lack of fog. Nintendo fell short of expected standards in...
Video We Have A Lot Of Feelings About Banjo-Kazooie On Switch
Good ones, too!
Banjo-Kazooie on a Nintendo console in 2022. It's mind-blowing! Not just because Rare and Nintendo parted ways long ago, or because we still haven't got our hands on Rare Replay, or because there will most likely never be another Banjo-Kazooie game, but because it actually looks really good. There were a few concerns, especially...
News Banjo-Kazooie Is Available Now On Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Rare's iconic duo return
Update [Fri 21st Jan, 2022 01:45 GMT]: Banjo-Kazooie has now been added to NSO's N64 Expansion Pack service. Enjoy! Original article [Wed 19th Jan, 2022 01:30 GMT]: Xbox isn't the only one that has some exciting announcements to share this week. Nintendo (with the cooperation of Rare and Microsoft, we guess...) has just...
News The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask Is Being Added To Switch Online's Expansion Pack In February
"Save Termina before it's met with a terrible fate"
Nintendo's Switch Online Expansion Pack service has announced the next N64 for release for the month of February. It's The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, originally released in 2000. This game contains much darker themes than the previous Zelda entries and sees Link having to save the land of...
Review Banjo-Kazooie - Peerless Platforming Perfection, And Now Available On Switch
Kazooie, we're home
This review originally went live in 2009, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the long-awaited return of Banjo-Kazooie to a Nintendo console, available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 library. Back in the days of the N64’s prime, there was one firm that managed to stand out from the rest:...
Video Here's A Graphics Comparison Of Banjo-Kazooie Running On Switch, Xbox And Nintendo 64
The bear and bird are back!
Banjo-Kazooie is being added to Nintendo's Switch Online 'Expansion Pack' service this week, and if you were wondering how it compares to past releases, YouTube channel GameXplain has uploaded a side-by-side comparison of the Xbox, Nintendo Switch and original Nintendo 64 version. Although there are fewer differences...
News Terraria Is The Next Free Trial For Nintendo Switch Online Users (Europe)
And now's the perfect time to play
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will soon be able to play Terraria for free for a limited time thanks to the latest Game Trial headed to Europe. If you're unaware, Switch Online's Game Trials are week-long events that let subscribers download and play a full game at no extra cost with no restrictions. Terraria...
Video We Tried To Convince A PS5 Fanboy To Get The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
It's great value!*
Ugh, Sony fanboys, right? With their Uncharteds and their Gods of War and their big, swooshy video game consoles. We all know that the best way to play video games is in bed, and can you play a PS5 in bed? No, partly because it's still sold out everywhere, and partly because you'd have to have a whole TV in your bed, and that...
News Wireless NES Controllers For Switch Are Currently On Sale In North America
An offer exclusive to Switch Online subscribers
Are you a Switch Online member that regularly plays the NES library? Haven't got a proper wireless NES controller yet? Then you might be interested in the current sale taking place in North America. Provided you are a Switch Online subscriber, right now you can get a pair of these controllers for just...
Free up some (mush)room for this gem
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is one of those wildly underrated Nintendo games that tends to go forgotten — perhaps because its announcement at E3 in 2014 was overshadowed by Splatoon, Smash Bros., Xenoblade Chronicles X, Bayonetta 2, and what would eventually become Breath of the Wild, but perhaps
News Golf Story Is The Next Free Trial For Nintendo Switch Online In Japan
A hole-in-one
If you're a subscriber of Nintendo's Switch Online service and happen to be based in Japan, the next free game trial you'll be given access to is the RPG sports title, Golf Story. It'll be made available in this region from 7th January (tomorrow) and will be playable until the following Friday on January 14th. You can also...
News Cruis'n Creator Would "Love To See" The N64 Trilogy Added To Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Just imagine playing USA, World and Exotica on the go
Cruis'n Blast was released on the Switch in September, and since then fans have been asking for more. One common request seems to be for Nintendo to bring the classic entries to the recently announced Switch Online Expansion Pack. It appears the creator of the series is just as eager. During a...
News Five Sega Genesis Games Have Been Added To Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack
Try 'em out today!
Well, here's something we weren't expecting - Nintendo...with the help of Sega, has updated the 'Expansion Pack' with five additional Genesis / Mega Drive games. The new additions include Altered Beast, ToeJam & Earl, Dynamite Headdy, Sword of Vermilion and Thunder Force II
News Don't Starve Is The Next Free Trial For Nintendo Switch Online (US)
Preload it now
If you're a subscriber of Nintendo's Switch Online service and happen to be located in North America, the next free game trial you'll be given access to is the survival title, Don't Starve: Nintendo Switch Edition. It'll be made available in this region on 15th December (tomorrow) and will be playable until next week. You can also...
Poll Paper Mario Is Out Now On Nintendo Switch Online, Will You Be Playing It?
Mario's paper-themed N64 game returns
Nintendo's Switch Online Expansion Pack tier has just added the Nintendo 64 classic Paper Mario. This paper-inspired adventure first unfolded on the Nintendo 64 in the year 2000 and since then has gone on to spawn an entire series. The original game has also been re-released over the years on the Wii and Wii U...
Review Paper Mario (N64) - A Well-Crafted Creation That Stands Up Beautifully
Historical document
This review originally went live in 2017, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the addition of Paper Mario to the other N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online. Can we take a moment to appreciate just how gloriously wacky it is that a game like Paper Mario exists in the first place? This is an idea that followed in the...
News Banjo-Kazooie Is Getting Jiggy With Nintendo Switch Online In January
That's it, that's the tweet
Update: Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of America have now tweeted the news, too. Guh-huh! Nintendo's official Japanese Twitter account has confirmed that Rare's N64 classic Banjo-Kazooie is joining the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack in January 2022. There's no exact date giv
News Nintendo Has Added Paper Mario 64 To Switch Online's Expansion Pack
See how the original Paper Mario adventure unfolds
Update [Fri 10th Dec, 2021 08:00 GMT]: Paper Mario has now been added to NSO's N64 Expansion Pack service. Enjoy! Original article [Fri 3rd Dec, 2021 01:30 GMT]: Nintendo will be adding a N64 classic to its Switch Online Expansion Pack service next week on 10th December. It's the original Paper...
(Again!)
Remember, you'll get access to Switch Online's NES and SNES games, but not the N64 games which are part of the Expansion Pack. All Switch owners across Europe can currently claim a free trial of Nintendo Switch Online, even if you've already made use of a similar trial in the past. Copying a very similar offer currently taking place for...
News Nintendo Switch Online Hit By Amazon Web Service Outages
"We apologize for the inconvenience"
Update [Wed 8th Dec, 2021 05:30 GMT]: According to Nintendo's customer support account on Twitter and network maintenance webpage, these issues have now been resolved: "The failure related to the Nintendo Switch network service in general, which occurred around 0:35 on December 8, has been recovered. We...
News Art Of Balance Is The Next Nintendo Switch Online Trial (Europe)
Can you beat 200 levels in a week?
The Nintendo Switch Online free trials have served up a nice mix of Indie gems and occasionally some major retail titles. The next arrival in Europe is certainly in the first category, but could be an excellent option for some pre-Holiday unwinding. Shin'en Multimedia's Art of Balance will be available to EU...
WinBack, baby WinBack, that's where it's at
It’d be easy to dismiss Winback without a second thought. Developed by Omega Force — nowadays famous for the long-running Dynasty Warriors series and associated Musou spin-offs/crossovers — and released for N64 back in 1999, it’s probably the least well-known of the Switch Online service’s...
Talking Point Should The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Library Expand Faster?
Paper Mario is the first addition after nearly two months
It's fair to say that the announcement and launch of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack could have gone better. The Nintendo Switch Online Subscription service wasn't exactly blessed with a spotless reputation prior to the reveal of the premium tier, either. Though some of the YouTube...