Nintendo Just Expanded Its Retro Game Vault – And Fans Are Losing It!
Old-school gaming fans, get ready – Nintendo has quietly dropped another wave of nostalgia into the Switch Online library. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to return to those pixelated adventures from the NES and Game Boy eras, this update might just do the trick. But here’s where it gets exciting – and maybe even a little controversial.
In the November update for the Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics collection, four beloved titles have joined the lineup. For the NES, players can now relive the intense challenge of Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos alongside the chaotic beat-‘em-up action of Battletoads – a game infamous for frustrating even the most seasoned gamers. Meanwhile, Game Boy fans can dive into the mythic realms of Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters or take on daring missions in the side-scrolling adventure Bionic Commando. That’s a seriously nostalgic mix of action, platforming, and pure retro magic.
Even better, Nintendo’s Japanese subscribers aren’t missing out either – this same set of four classics is rolling out across the region simultaneously. So whether you’re in Tokyo or Toronto, everyone gets to share in the retro glory.
To jump in, all you need is a base-tier Nintendo Switch Online subscription. No expansion pack required – which makes this one of the more accessible updates we’ve seen in recent months. It also comes hot on the heels of last month’s addition of the original Luigi’s Mansion to the GameCube app, proving Nintendo has no plans to slow down on feeding fans more classic experiences.
Here’s the big question though – are these the right games to add next? Some might argue that titles like Battletoads or Ninja Gaiden II are too punishing for casual players, while others see their inclusion as essential to preserving gaming history. Should Nintendo focus more on rare, lesser-known titles instead? Or is revisiting these legendary challenges exactly what retro gaming is all about?
Drop your thoughts below – are these new additions a hit, a miss, or a mix of both? Let’s hear where you stand on Nintendo’s latest retro revival.