Hi there! As a fellow retro gaming enthusiast, I wanted to have a conversation about some exciting updates rolled out in September 2022 for Nintendo Switch Online. Whether you‘re already a subscriber or considering membership, there‘s a lot of great info here!
What is Nintendo Switch Online?
For those who aren‘t familiar, Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is Nintendo‘s premium online service, similar to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold. A membership provides a few key benefits:
- Online multi-player gaming – Play Mario Kart, Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and other Switch games online
- Save data cloud backups – Securely backup save files online
- Exclusive deals – Access to member-only promotions and DLC
- Smartphone app – Enhanced features for compatible games
- Retro game libraries – Play classic NES and SNES games!
There‘s also a pricier Expansion Pack tier that adds more to the mix…
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
This upgraded version, available for $49.99 annually, includes everything from the base NSO membership plus:
- Nintendo 64 – Library of classic N64 games
- Sega Genesis – Selection of retro Genesis games
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC – Happy Home Paradise (normally $24.99 value)
Below I‘ve summarized a breakdown of each tier:
| Membership Option | Price (annually) | Benefits Included |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online | $19.99 | Online multiplayer, cloud backups, exclusive offers, smartphone app, NES & SNES games |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack | $49.99 | Everything from basic membership plus: 🌟 Nintendo 64 library 🌟 Sega Genesis library 🌟 Animal Crossing DLC |
Now that you know the difference between plans, let‘s dive into the exciting updates unveiled in September 2022!
Three New Genesis Gems Added
While the Nintendo 64 library understandably gets more publicity, some welcome surprises came via the Sega Genesis collection too. Out of the blue, 3 legendary Genesis games were added:
Alisia Dragoon – 1992
This fantastic fantasy side-scroller lets you control lightning mage Alisia on a quest to defeat Baldour. With its anime visual flair, killer soundtrack, and fun magic/platforming gameplay, it earned widespread critical acclaim upon its North American launch. Alisia Dragoon is regarded as one of the Genesis‘ best looking 2D games.
Beyond Oasis – 1994
Hailed as one of the top action-RPGs on Genesis, Beyond Oasis puts you in Prince Ali‘s shoes. With strong Legend of Zelda influences, Beyond Oasis nails fluid real-time combat, creative dungeons, and problem-solving puzzles. It was renowned for smooth animations and engrossing worldbuilding.
Earthworm Jim – 1994
Featuring our hero – an earthworm with radical power armor – Earthworm Jim is a wild side-scrolling run-and-gun platformer. Players whipped enemies, dodged hazards, and explored bizarre levels. Backed by responsive controls and stellar level design, Earthworm Jim became a fast favorite thanks to addictive gameplay with hilarious absurdist charm.
This trio of Genesis greats expand the console‘s offerings via Nintendo Switch Online substantially.
GoldenEye 007 Breaks the Internet
Now onto the biggest Nintendo Switch Online news drop in September 2022 – GoldenEye 007 got confirmed for N64!
Why is GoldenEye 007 a huge deal?
Released by Rare in 1997, GoldenEye 007 took the gaming world by storm as a revolutionary first-person shooter. Based on the James Bond film, it became the N64‘s best-selling game by far.
I distinctly remember high school friends hosting around-the-clock GoldenEye marathons. It was the multiplayer experience on N64 thanks to slick 4 player competitive/cooperative modes. Plus, the single-player offered emergent gameplay Ocarina of Time style across sprawling levels full of objectives.
Let‘s reflect on standout aspects that made GoldenEye truly special:
Visually Stunning
Pushing the N64‘s 3D graphics to their limits, environments bursting with detail and fluid animations that hold up remarkably well today. Dynamic lighting/smoke effects also furthered immersion.
Genre-Elevating Gameplay
A 60 FPS framerate paired with responsive controls allowed serious competitive FPS gameplay on consoles for the first time. Features like aim assist options pleased both casual and professional players.
Killer Multiplayer
Up to 4 players blasting away via split-screen was an absolute revelation. Support for game modifiers changed rules and seasons kept things fresh. It dominated parties and dorm gatherings!
Challenge Built the Culture
Higher difficulty modes tested elite players‘ skills. Unlocking cheat options promoted replaying levels in wild ways. This depth encouraged speedrunning competitions that still occur today.
Simply put, GoldenEye‘s stellar level design, tight shooting, multiplayer support, and high replay value created magic. It went on to sell over 8 million copies as scores of developers copied its blueprint going forward.
So why is coming to Nintendo Switch Online monumental?
Due to a complex web of licensing disputes between Microsoft/Rare and MGM, GoldenEye has never received an official re-release…until now! Fans have clamored for an accessible port for 25+ years to no avail.
Nintendo managing to broker a deal adding 007 to its retro library is an absolutely monumental industry achievement. Gamers no longer need to crack open dusty N64 consoles to play a seminal title that modernized console shooters.
Making this a literal dream come true, online multiplayer support has been confirmed too! Rather than being limited to 4-player local matches, we can finally experience the chaotic fun of competing in GoldenEye via online play. I can already picture the excellent memes born from this feature!
We‘ll have to wait for a firm release date, but GoldenEye hitting Nintendo Switch Online promises to be a landmark gaming moment reigniting nostalgia for millions when it drops.
More N64 Games Confirmed Down the Pipeline
GoldenEye understandably stole September‘s spotlight, but eight other iconic N64 games got name-dropped as future additions too:
Mario Party 1-3 – The original trilogy that made the Mario Party franchise a sensation on N64. Hundreds of zany minigames playable online? Count me in!
Pokemon Stadium 1 & 2 – We can finally battle our card collections on the big screen once again! Plus, reliving those classic gym leader and tournament cups will be sweet.
1080° Snowboarding – This slick snowboard racer blew minds with smooth 3D tricks and racing mechanics that hold up beautifully. It introduced millions to snowboarding and launched developer Nintendo EAD.
Pilotwings 64 – Showcasing the N64‘s analog joystick, exploring tropical islands via planes, rockets, hang gliders and more made for serene fun.
Excitebike 64 – An excellent evolution of the NES Excitebike bringing freestyle motocross racing to bold 3D life. Whip sick tricks!
While most of these Nintendo 64 classics have been re-released previously on platforms like Wii and Wii U, having definitive ports in one place within Nintendo Switch Online makes rediscovering them a breeze.
Wave Race 64 Now Available
Let‘s also quickly recap the August 2022 N64 addition – Wave Race 64! This massively influential launch title for the 64 let up to 4 players race jet skis through dynamically generated waves and weather.
It brought a sensational feeling of speed thanks to superb physics and controls that utilize the analog stick excellently. Content-packed with courses and mechanics that still feel great today, Wave Race 64‘s arrival on Nintendo Switch Online makes one of N64‘s most replayable racers accessible once again!
Closing Thoughts on Nintendo Switch Online
I don‘t know about you, but as someone who grew up battling friends in Goldeneye basements for hours, I‘m pumped to dive back in (now in online arenas) upon its Nintendo Switch launch. And the sheer wealth of N64 and Genesis classics continuing to get added over time make the Expansion Pack subscription a tremendous value.
Considering Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack provides 100+ immaculately emulated games andAnimal Crossing DLC access for under $50 annually, that breaks down to just over $4 per month. Where else can you instantly access such a deep library of retro gaming excellence from multiple consoles for that kind of price?
For millennials especially, touring these childhood gems alongside today‘s indie darlings like Cult of the Lamb on a single device in the Switch makes it an essential buy in my book. And qualities like save state features and modernized online connectivity only sweeten these classics‘ replayability further.
Let me know which newly announced Nintendo 64 or Genesis titles you‘re most excited to revisit when they drop! I‘m happy to chat more or address any other questions you might have around Nintendo Switch Online as well. Just hit reply! Talk soon.
