Nintendo Switch Online Expanding With N64 And Sega Genesis Games
Nintendo announced it is expanding its online service for its Switch console, with a new membership plan arriving in about a month from now. Unveiled during the latest Nintendo Direct event, the upgraded plan (or add-on, really) will open up access to a collection of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, in addition to the current catalog of NES titles.
It's not yet clear how much the upgraded subscription tier will cost. As things stand, a Nintendo Switch Online membership runs $3.99 per month, with discounted pricing for longer commitments—$7.99 for three months and $19.99 for 12 months. There's also a family membership plan that runs $34.99 per year, for groups of up to eight people. It's the best value of the bunch, if you can coordinate with family and/or friends.
Assuming Nintendo doesn't go bananas with pricing, the addition of N64 and Sega Genesis games will undoubtedly lure in more subscribers. Retro gaming is red hot, and Nintendo has been a major driving force in that arena, both through its online service and by way of revived consoles (NES Classic and SNES Classic).
"Get access to even more benefits, with a library of Nintendo 64 games featuring newly added online play for up to 4 players (get ready for 4-player, online Mario Kart 64 races), as well as retro Sega Genesis classics!," Nintendo explains.
The upgraded tier is being billed as an "Expansion Pack" to the regular online service. At the outside, the service will include the following N64 and Genesis titles...
Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
- Dr. Mario 64
- Mario Kart 64
- Mario Tennis 64
- Sin and Punishment
- Star Fox 64
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- WinBack
- Yoshi's Story
Sega Genesis
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
- Ecoo the Dolphin
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- M.U.S.H.A.
- Phantasy Star IV
- Ristar
- Shining Force
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Streets of Rage 2
- Strider
- Sonic the Hedgehog
Nintendo also said it would adding more N64 titles in the future, including Banjo-Kazooie, F-Zero X, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Mario Golf, Paper Mario, Pokemon Snap, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. So there is plenty of content coming to scratch that retro gaming itch.
In addition, Nintendo will make available a couple of controllers, as shown up top. Well, sort of as shown. The N64 controller will be the same across different regions, but only Japan will get the version of the Genesis controller that has six buttons. In the US and Europe, it will have three buttons.
Pricing for those items will be announced next month as well, with everything set to launch in "late October."
