Nintendo FINALLY Adds Classic NES & Game Boy Games To Switch ONLINE

Nintendo delivered an early holiday gift—a genuine Thanksgiving miracle! Nintendo has just pushed an update to the Nintendo Switch Online retro services, adding some huge, highly requested classic titles to both the NES and Game Boy libraries. This update is active across the entire current and future line of consoles: the Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, and Switch 2! It's about time as Nintendo finally adds 4 classic NES & Game Boy Games to the Switch Online Service.

If you’re a retro enthusiast and subscribe to the service, it’s time to update your system applications to gain access to these fantastic new additions. We're going straight into the action to check out the quality and detail of these newly released gems.

🎮 NES Online Library: Two Heavyweight Champions Arrive!
The NES lineup just got significantly stronger with the inclusion of two games that defined challenge and quality for the 8-bit era:

1. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos
The sequel to the original Ninja Gaiden is here! This title is famous for its intricate level design, fantastic action-platforming, and groundbreaking cinematic cutscenes that were revolutionary for the time. Playing this on the Switch instantly brings back that classic feel. The visuals look crisp, and the music—courtesy of the NSO emulation—is spot on. Having this beloved title available digitally on the Switch means quick access to Ryu Hayabusa’s challenging adventure anytime, anywhere. Even if you own the original physical cartridge, the convenience of the NSO version is unbeatable.

2. Battletoads
Prepare for pain! The legendary, notoriously difficult, yet incredibly rewarding beat 'em up is finally on the service. Battletoads is famous (or infamous) for its wild genre-hopping, from side-scrolling fighting to incredibly fast hoverbike sequences.

Performance Check: The fluid animation and audio are perfectly preserved. Now the real question is: Can you get past the second level without relying on the NSO's rewind feature or save states? Challenge accepted!

🟢 Game Boy Online Library: Handheld Action Classics
The Game Boy library also receives a significant boost with two must-play portable classics. Importantly, both of these titles are presented with the Game Boy Color treatment, enhancing the visuals with color palettes that were often utilized in later GBC releases or when played on the Super Game Boy.

1. Kid Icarus
While many are familiar with the NES original, the Game Boy version of Kid Icarus provides a unique portable experience. Join Pit in his journey through the underworld, earth, and sky in this great vertical and horizontal platformer. I personally hadn't spent much time with the Game Boy version before, and I can confirm it holds up beautifully. The level design is clever, and the added color treatment makes the sprite work pop on the Switch screen. It’s a wonderful addition that offers a different flavor of classic Nintendo gameplay.

2. Bionic Commando
If you want a challenge that forces you to rethink movement, look no further. Bionic Commando is the game where you cannot jump! Every bit of vertical or horizontal movement requires the precise use of your character's bionic grappling arm. The learning curve is steep, but mastering the swing and ascent is immensely satisfying. Much like Kid Icarus, the gameplay is seamless on the Switch, and the GBC color treatment adds a welcome visual enhancement to this unique Capcom classic.

🌏 Pro-Tip: Accessing the Japanese Famicom Library
Don't forget that Nintendo allows you to easily expand your retro library by accessing the Japanese side of the service. All you need to do is set up a separate Japanese Nintendo Switch Account!

Once you have the Japanese account set up, you gain access to the Famicom and Game Boy apps that contain regional variants and sometimes completely different games than what is offered on the US/EU service. For this update, you'll find the Japanese versions of Battletoads and Ninja Gaiden II on the Famicom app, and the respective Japanese versions of Kid Icarus and Bionic Commando on the Game Boy app. It’s a simple setup process that greatly increases the value of your subscription!

I am genuinely happy to see Nintendo continuously updating these retro services. While I’d certainly advocate for more frequent additions, the quality of these particular drops is undeniable. Make sure you update your system and applications now to jump into these incredible classic games!

❓ Which of these four new additions—Ninja Gaiden II, Battletoads, Kid Icarus, or Bionic Commando—are you most excited to jump into first? Which game do you think should be added next? Let me know in the comments below!

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