If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SPY.com may receive an affiliate commission.
The Nintendo Switch Online service is quickly becoming a very good deal. It’s not the most expensive of the big three consoles’ online offerings, and it also gives you access to an ever-growing library of retro games from Nintendo consoles of the past.
Today’s best deals
As it stands, the standard version of this service gives you access to NES and SNES games, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can upgrade the service to also access the N64 games they add. Additionally, the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack also gets a valuable upgrade, as Nintendo will release the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC for free if you pay for it.
With so many games on offer, we decided it was a good idea to list some of the best retro games on Nintendo Switch, much the same way we did with Xbox Game Pass.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
What is the Nintendo Switch Online Service?
The Nintendo Switch Online package lets you play some of their games online, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but it also provides access to a library of NES and SNES games. This games library is updated from time to time with new titles, and as of now, none of those have been removed. It also provides access to cloud saves, so it’s useful if you’re worried about save data, although not all games support it.
Is the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Worth It?
The Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack is the upgraded version of this service. It grants access to N64 games and Sega Mega Drive games on Switch, but it’s also bolstered by a few other goodies. It looks like Nintendo is happy to add first-party DLC for free if you have the expansion pack, so it could be that the service is somehow chargeable if you get the DLC anyway.
The expansion pack costs $49.99 per year, an increase of $30 over the standard online subscription. But since it includes every NES, SNES, and N64 game available on the platform, we think it’s worth more than the cost of admission. Especially if you grew up with the N64 and want to relive your childhood on a portable console.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
It’s a brand new entry into the expansion pack world, and it’s one of the best Zelda games of all time. Majora’s Mask takes the Link we all know and love and throws him into a dark and twisted time loop. With only three days to save the world, you must learn the habits of the people of this world, figure out how to take down bosses effectively, and become powerful enough to stop the scariest moon from crashing into the planet.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
2. Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars is one of the first compilation games, and it brings together Super Mario Bros 1, 2, 3 and the Lost Tiers in one exceptional package. Thanks to the simple control scheme, this compilation game is great for introducing someone to the game.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
3. Mario Tennis
Mario Tennis is one of the ancestors of the truly excellent sports games that Nintendo sometimes releases. It’s a fun take on the sport that gives it a bit of the absurd in order to keep things fresh and fun. It’s also fun to play with friends offline or online, and it should top the list of best retro games on Nintendo Switch.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
4. Paper Mario
The Paper Mario series is a bit of a mixed bag, but the previous games are all truly stellar RPGs. It was crazy to see everyone’s favorite platformer hero transition to a turn-based RPG, but it was done with aplomb. Along with wonderful gameplay, Paper Mario also has a wicked sense of humor, which is always a good thing to dive into and enjoy. And thanks to the game’s wacky art style (every character is 2D and made to look like paper cutouts), the graphics hold up surprisingly well.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
5. Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart is basically a steady stream of hits as a series, and you wouldn’t be wrong to put the SNES version of the game here either. However, Mario Kart 64 was the first time we saw the game in 3D, and the levels are so legendary that we still get remakes of them to this day. Moreover, it also has one of the best battle modes.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
6. Super Metroid
Metroid finally got a new game last year thanks to Metroid Dread, and it was excellent. So why not step back in time to one of the games that helped make Samus one of the coolest characters in gaming while playing Super Metroid? It’s a hard as nails action game where you explore an alien world and just try to survive by unlocking powerful new skills.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
7. Super ghouls and ghosts
If you think modern games are difficult, you’re in for quite a shock when you play Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts. This game is an absolute testament to how games were made. You can theoretically complete it in less than an hour, and knowing that, it’s designed to kill you at every given opportunity. However, overcoming it gives you wonderful bragging rights.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
8. Donkey Kong Country
We put the award here as Best Music because it’s true, but Donkey Kong Country is also a truly sublime platformer. It’s a bit harder than Mario or Sonic, but it’s so satisfying to master its mechanics and get to the point where you can push through the levels. And, as we said, the soundtrack absolutely slams.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
9. Fire Breath 2
What if, and listen to us here, you could transform into a dragon? This is essentially the core concept of the Breath of Fire series, which is a turn-based JRPG where you guide your heroes through various fantastical settings. All of the games are quite enjoyable, but we think Breath of Fire 2 is the best of the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
10. Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 2 is one of the greatest cooperative games ever made. The characters are over the top, the world is dark and gritty, and the combat is amazing even all these years later. While we’d recommend Streets of Rage 4 over this one overall, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best retro games on Nintendo Switch.
Buy: Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Subscription $18.59 (orig. $19.99) 7% OFF
Get more offers, reviews and new products from SPY on Instagram…
More great offers from SPY
The best of spy
Click here to read the full article.
