Updated with the June 2023 additions to the lineup: Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble (GBC, 2001), Blaster Master: Enemy Below (GBC, 2000), Harvest Moon (SNES, 1997/98), and Mystery Tower (Tower of Babel).
Nintendo Switch Online had a slow start initially, but with the introduction of SNES games, we’ve seen added value coming to the service which better justifies the asking price. Nintendo has been slowly but surely fleshing out the number of games available, now including Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, and we’ve pulled together a complete list of all the titles you’ll get when you subscribe to the service – including the most recent additions as well as the bonus SP iterations of certain games. We’ve also listed the Japanese exclusives that aren’t available to subscribers in the West (unless you have a Japanese Nintendo Account, of course).
And there’s also the Expansion Pack tier that features Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, and Game Boy Advance games, providing a more varied library of retro games — for a price, of course.
Remember, these games aren’t individual downloads, but are bundled together in the Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, GB, N64, Genesis / Mega Drive, GBA applications, which are ‘free’ to download. Each title benefits from save states (and the ability to rewind the action for the NES, SNES, and GB games).
If you’re interested in which games are really worth your time, you can find out in our reader-ranked polls and check out our reviews for many of them:
Nintendo Switch Online: NES Games (65)
Nintendo Switch Online: NES SP Versions
As well as releasing classic NES games on Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo has also released special ‘SP’ versions of selected titles which offer a new way to experience them. These are often save states which place the player in a particularly tricky part of the game, or ones which give the player access to extra items from the start. Metroid and Gradius have two SP versions each.
- The Legend of Zelda – Living The Life of Luxury! (Loads of Rupees, all gear)
- Gradius – Stage 5 And Maxed Out! (Stage 5, full power)
- Gradius – The Second Loop (Harder difficulty)
- Metroid – The Decisive Battle Against Ridley! (All gear, Ridley Battle)
- Metroid – Samus Aran’s Ultimate Arsenal (All power-ups unlocked)
- Dr. Mario – The UFO Cover-Up (Level 20 cut-scene)
- Ninja Gaiden – The Thrilling Climax! (Stage 6-4)
- Ghosts ’n Goblins – The Great Demon Lord Awaits (Stage 6, dagger weapon)
- Blaster Master – The Underworld Lord Awaits (Level 8, Sophia fully equipped)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Link, Warrior without Equal (Attack, Magic, and Life all maxed out at level eight)
- Kirby’s Adventure – Now with Extra Game! (Extra Game setting and Sound Test)
- Kid Icarus – The Three Sacred Treasures (Final Stage with each of the Three Sacred Treasures)
- Star Soldier – Certain Victory on Stage 8 (Stage 8, five-way shot and shield)
- TwinBee – A Second Helping of Donburi Island! (Level 6, increased difficulty)
- Mighty Bomb Jack – High Game Deviation Value! (Final zone)
- Super Mario Bros. 3 – Mario, the Quick-Change Artist! (World 8, multiples of 8 power-ups available)
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese NES Exclusives
- Adventures of Lolo (Japanese version, not to be confused with the Western version or the Western sequel which used this game as a partial source for some stages — thanks Lilly!)
- Joy Mech Fight
- Tsuppari Oozumou
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
- Yie Ar Kung-Fu
- Clu Clu Land: Welcome to New Clu Clu Land
- Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundōkai
- NES Open Tournament Golf (SP version)
- Famicom Wars
- Route 16 Turbo
- Atlantis no Nazo
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (SP version)
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (SP version 2)
- Smash Ping Pong
Nintendo Switch Online: SNES Games (57)
Nintendo Switch Online: SNES SP Versions
As with the NES games, ‘SP’ versions of SNES games are also available. Well, there’s one at the time of writing, but it’s a good’un:
- Super Mario Kart SP – Fully Souped Up! (150cc difficulty unlocked from the beginning)
- Super Metroid SP – Samus Aran’s Ultimate Arsenal! (All items obtained and weapons and Power Suit upgrades unlocked)
- Super Mario World SP – Give the world a whole new look! (Special World is completed unlocking a new-look Dinosaur Land)
- Super Punch-Out!! SP – Champion Edition (All Circuits completed, Special Circuit unlocked)
- Kirby’s Dream Course SP – Dancy along with Kirby! (All secret modes unlocked)
- Kirby’s Dream Land 3 SP – Set difficulty to Easy Breezy! (All secret modes unlocked)
- Kirby Super Star SP – Meta Knight’s revenge! (All secret modes unlocked)
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese SNES Exclusives (Super Famicom)
Nintendo Switch Online: Game Boy (Color) Games (13)
Upcoming NSO Game Boy (Color) games
Here are the announced Game Boy (Color) games scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese Game Boy (Color) Exclusives
One extra Japan-only Game Boy title is currently available in that region only:
Nintendo Switch Online: N64 Games (22)
The following Nintendo 64 games are available as part of the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership level:
Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 lineup
Upcoming NSO N64 games
Here are the announced N64 games scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese N64 Exclusives
Two extra Japan-only N64 titles are available in that region only:
Nintendo Switch Online: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Games (40)
The following Sega Mega Drive / Genesis games are available as part of the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership level:
Nintendo Switch Online: Game Boy Advance Games (7)
The following Game Boy Advance games are available as part of the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership level:
Upcoming NSO Game Boy Advance games
Here are the announced Game Boy Advance games scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
If you’re interested in seeing all the NES games available for the Nintendo Switch Online service ranked (or all the SNES games given the same treatment), we’ve got you covered. Same for every N64 game and every Genesis / Mega Drive game on the service, too. We’re nothing if not comprehensive!
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You’ve Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favourite genre, we’ve got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, ‘Walking Sims’ And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat ‘Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.
Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!
If you’re looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. And finally, if you’re interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.
Updated with the June 2023 additions to the lineup: Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble (GBC, 2001), Blaster Master: Enemy Below (GBC, 2000), Harvest Moon (SNES, 1997/98), and Mystery Tower (Tower of Babel).
Nintendo Switch Online had a slow start initially, but with the introduction of SNES games, we’ve seen added value coming to the service which better justifies the asking price. Nintendo has been slowly but surely fleshing out the number of games available, now including Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, and we’ve pulled together a complete list of all the titles you’ll get when you subscribe to the service – including the most recent additions as well as the bonus SP iterations of certain games. We’ve also listed the Japanese exclusives that aren’t available to subscribers in the West (unless you have a Japanese Nintendo Account, of course).
And there’s also the Expansion Pack tier that features Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, and Game Boy Advance games, providing a more varied library of retro games — for a price, of course.
Remember, these games aren’t individual downloads, but are bundled together in the Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, GB, N64, Genesis / Mega Drive, GBA applications, which are ‘free’ to download. Each title benefits from save states (and the ability to rewind the action for the NES, SNES, and GB games).
If you’re interested in which games are really worth your time, you can find out in our reader-ranked polls and check out our reviews for many of them:
Nintendo Switch Online: NES Games (65)
Nintendo Switch Online: NES SP Versions
As well as releasing classic NES games on Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo has also released special ‘SP’ versions of selected titles which offer a new way to experience them. These are often save states which place the player in a particularly tricky part of the game, or ones which give the player access to extra items from the start. Metroid and Gradius have two SP versions each.
- The Legend of Zelda – Living The Life of Luxury! (Loads of Rupees, all gear)
- Gradius – Stage 5 And Maxed Out! (Stage 5, full power)
- Gradius – The Second Loop (Harder difficulty)
- Metroid – The Decisive Battle Against Ridley! (All gear, Ridley Battle)
- Metroid – Samus Aran’s Ultimate Arsenal (All power-ups unlocked)
- Dr. Mario – The UFO Cover-Up (Level 20 cut-scene)
- Ninja Gaiden – The Thrilling Climax! (Stage 6-4)
- Ghosts ’n Goblins – The Great Demon Lord Awaits (Stage 6, dagger weapon)
- Blaster Master – The Underworld Lord Awaits (Level 8, Sophia fully equipped)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Link, Warrior without Equal (Attack, Magic, and Life all maxed out at level eight)
- Kirby’s Adventure – Now with Extra Game! (Extra Game setting and Sound Test)
- Kid Icarus – The Three Sacred Treasures (Final Stage with each of the Three Sacred Treasures)
- Star Soldier – Certain Victory on Stage 8 (Stage 8, five-way shot and shield)
- TwinBee – A Second Helping of Donburi Island! (Level 6, increased difficulty)
- Mighty Bomb Jack – High Game Deviation Value! (Final zone)
- Super Mario Bros. 3 – Mario, the Quick-Change Artist! (World 8, multiples of 8 power-ups available)
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese NES Exclusives
- Adventures of Lolo (Japanese version, not to be confused with the Western version or the Western sequel which used this game as a partial source for some stages — thanks Lilly!)
- Joy Mech Fight
- Tsuppari Oozumou
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
- Yie Ar Kung-Fu
- Clu Clu Land: Welcome to New Clu Clu Land
- Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundōkai
- NES Open Tournament Golf (SP version)
- Famicom Wars
- Route 16 Turbo
- Atlantis no Nazo
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (SP version)
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (SP version 2)
- Smash Ping Pong
Nintendo Switch Online: SNES Games (57)
Nintendo Switch Online: SNES SP Versions
As with the NES games, ‘SP’ versions of SNES games are also available. Well, there’s one at the time of writing, but it’s a good’un:
- Super Mario Kart SP – Fully Souped Up! (150cc difficulty unlocked from the beginning)
- Super Metroid SP – Samus Aran’s Ultimate Arsenal! (All items obtained and weapons and Power Suit upgrades unlocked)
- Super Mario World SP – Give the world a whole new look! (Special World is completed unlocking a new-look Dinosaur Land)
- Super Punch-Out!! SP – Champion Edition (All Circuits completed, Special Circuit unlocked)
- Kirby’s Dream Course SP – Dancy along with Kirby! (All secret modes unlocked)
- Kirby’s Dream Land 3 SP – Set difficulty to Easy Breezy! (All secret modes unlocked)
- Kirby Super Star SP – Meta Knight’s revenge! (All secret modes unlocked)
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese SNES Exclusives (Super Famicom)
Nintendo Switch Online: Game Boy (Color) Games (13)
Upcoming NSO Game Boy (Color) games
Here are the announced Game Boy (Color) games scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese Game Boy (Color) Exclusives
One extra Japan-only Game Boy title is currently available in that region only:
Nintendo Switch Online: N64 Games (22)
The following Nintendo 64 games are available as part of the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership level:
Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 lineup
Upcoming NSO N64 games
Here are the announced N64 games scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.
Nintendo Switch Online: Japanese N64 Exclusives
Two extra Japan-only N64 titles are available in that region only:
Nintendo Switch Online: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Games (40)
The following Sega Mega Drive / Genesis games are available as part of the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership level:
Nintendo Switch Online: Game Boy Advance Games (7)
The following Game Boy Advance games are available as part of the upgraded Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack membership level:
Upcoming NSO Game Boy Advance games
Here are the announced Game Boy Advance games scheduled to arrive on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
If you’re interested in seeing all the NES games available for the Nintendo Switch Online service ranked (or all the SNES games given the same treatment), we’ve got you covered. Same for every N64 game and every Genesis / Mega Drive game on the service, too. We’re nothing if not comprehensive!
This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You’ve Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Whatever your favourite genre, we’ve got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, ‘Walking Sims’ And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat ‘Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.
Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!
If you’re looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. And finally, if you’re interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.
