Battletoads and 3 Classic Games Hit Nintendo Switch Online
▼ Summary
– Nintendo added four new classic games to Nintendo Switch Online: two NES titles (Battletoads and Ninja Gaiden II) and two Game Boy titles (Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando).
– Battletoads is noted for being one of the most difficult games of its era and is now available on Switch for the first time.
– Two of the new games, Ninja Gaiden II and Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, are sequels to titles already in the Nintendo Switch Online library.
– Bionic Commando marks the first appearance of its franchise on Nintendo Switch Online and features a futuristic setting adapted from the NES version.
– Nintendo plans to add Virtual Boy games to the Expansion Pass early next year, requiring a separate accessory for play.
Nintendo Switch Online members are in for a special treat this week, as the service welcomes four classic titles from two different retro platforms. Breaking from the usual pattern of adding games from a single system at a time, Nintendo has released two new NES games and two new Game Boy titles simultaneously. This exciting update brings Battletoads and Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos to the NES library, while Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando join the Game Boy lineup.
Among these new arrivals, the 1991 NES beat-em-up Battletoads stands out for its legendary reputation. Developed by Rare, the game is widely remembered as one of the most notoriously difficult titles from that era. Its arrival on Nintendo Switch Online marks the first time it has been officially available on a Nintendo Switch platform, giving many players a long-awaited chance for a rematch.
This release also includes two sequels to games already accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online library. Tecmo’s Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos continues the story from the original Ninja Gaiden, which is already available to subscribers. Similarly, the Game Boy title Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters serves as a follow-up to the NES Kid Icarus game, allowing fans to continue the adventure on the go.
Rounding out the new additions is the Game Boy version of Bionic Commando. This marks the franchise’s debut on Nintendo Switch Online. Originally an arcade game from Capcom, Bionic Commando was later adapted for the NES, and that version was reworked for the Game Boy with a notable change, the setting was shifted from a present-day theme to a futuristic one.
A standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription provides access to a growing collection of classic NES, SNES, and Game Boy titles, with new games added to the service on a regular basis. For players subscribed to the more comprehensive Expansion Pack tier, the library expands to include Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis games. Additionally, GameCube classics are exclusively available to Expansion Pack members who own a Nintendo Switch 2.
Looking ahead, Nintendo has announced it will introduce a new platform to the Expansion Pass early next year: the Virtual Boy. Despite being considered one of the company’s most notable commercial failures, the Virtual Boy will be supported through a separate accessory. Players will have the option to purchase either a full plastic replica or a more affordable cardboard version to experience this unique part of gaming history.
(Source: Gamespot)
