The 10 Classic Games That Make Nintendo Switch Online Good Value For Money
Topics: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch Online, Retro Gaming, List
Featured Image Credit: Nintendo
Topics: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch Online, Retro Gaming, List
Nintendo Switch Online is a highly controversial subscription service, and some of the latest price-hikes haven’t helped its case.
Aside from access to online play, one area it excels at is emulation, via the classics game library.
At the time of writing, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack boasts hundreds of retro titles, and even more if you’re on the Nintendo Switch 2. Below are a selection of titles that more than justify the price, as they’re either hard to come by nowadays and/or ludicrously expensive.
Star Fox (2026) launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, the same day that Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders go live, which isn’t the best timing…
If you’re in the mood for a retro throwback or the newest release leaves you hungry for more Arwing action, Star Fox 2 is one of the most unique titles you’ll find on Nintendo Switch Online.
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It’s unique because it technically never existed. It was originally planned as a sequel to the original Star Fox on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System but only saw the light of day on the SNES Mini plug-and-play console.
For those that didn’t buy that micro machine, Nintendo Switch Online is the only way you’ll be able to play this stunning sequel.
READ NEXT: Star Fox's Admirable Homage To The Nintendo 64 Misses One Crucial Mark
This pair of Zelda games for the Game Boy Color is just good value for money. It was unusual at the time to see Nintendo adopt the dual-release strategy associated with Pokémon for its newest Zelda game, and yet it worked surprisingly well.
Both games follow the same story but focus on different aspects of the Zelda formula. For instance Oracle of Ages is more puzzle-heavy whereas Oracle of Seasons is more about thrilling combat encounters.
For the full experience, both games need to be linked, which you can do by inputting a code found at the end of one game into the other.
Grabbing physical copies of both titles nowadays won’t cost you a fortune but you’ll find many copies will have worn out internal batteries used to save the game. You can change the batteries by opening up the cartridge, but why go to the trouble when you can just play them on Switch Online instead?
Sorry to whoever disagrees but Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was such a disappointment after so many years of waiting.
We’re sure there’ll be some horror stories about it later down the line but in the meantime, it’s got us wanting to replay some of the previous games in the franchise. The other Metroid Prime games aren’t available on Nintendo Switch Online yet but Metroid: Zero Mission is, and that’s basically all you need.
Metroid: Zero Mission is a Game Boy Advance remake of Samus’ first game on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and a damn good one at that.
For a Game Boy Advance title, it looks pretty good blown up on a big screen, but for the best experience we’d recommend playing in handheld mode.
It’s not unreasonable to say the OG Mario Party games are the best of the bunch. Even Nintendo seems to think so as newer entries tend to borrow maps and minigames from the Nintendo 64 title.
With that in mind, why not just cut out the middle man and jump straight back into the games that started it all?
Mario Party 3 especially costs a fair chunk of cash nowadays too, whereas on the Nintendo Switch you can play it as part of your subscription at no additional cost.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t encourage you to replay The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This one isn’t hard to find nowadays by any means. You’ll probably find a copy between your couch cushions because Nintendo has re-released it so many times.
With The Legend of Zelda: Ocarine of Time Remake on the way later this year though, now’s a better time than any to replay this heroic title so you can see what’s new in the updated Switch 2 version.
This was a fabulous title to add to Nintendo Switch Online. The severely underrated Chibi-Robo! for the Nintendo GameCube costs an arm and a leg on the secondhand market, so to have it so easily accessible really puts scalpers in their place.
The charming platformer follows a loveable robot whose mission is to help his human owners in any way he can. It starts off with simple chores and house work but escalades into a full-scale alien invasion.
Another addition that’s a big win for collectors, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is one of the most unique Pokémon games you’ll ever play.
Instead of a sprawling open-world filled with hundreds of Pokémon to catch, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness gives you a carefully curated pool of potential ‘mons, which you need to steal rather than catch.
It’s a surprisingly dark entry in the franchise but that’s what makes it so memorable, and like Chibi-Robo!, grabbing a physical copy will set you back hundreds.
There are plenty of other games available via Nintendo Switch Online and they're all worth a go in one way or another. Hopefully, Nintendo continues to add more hidden gems and rarities to its service, and another console or two wouldn't hurt either.