Nintendo Switch adds 4 classic free games, available now

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can play four classic games of yesteryear right now at no extra cost.

Both of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription tiers offer a ton of retro classics to play in an instant via emulation, streamed directly to the console.

The basic Nintendo Switch Online tier offers a vast library of titles from the NES, SNES and Game Boy.

Whereas the Expansion Pack tier offers everything included in the basic tier but with additional Game Boy Advance, N64 and SEGA Mega Drive games.

Other perks on both tiers include cloud saves, access to the Nintendo Music mobile app, special offers and more.

What’s more, when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on 5 June 2025, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will have access to GameCube games. Which is great, but Nintendo has made this form of emulation exclusive to the Switch 2.

Expansion Pack subscribers even get bonus access to expansions for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Splatoon 2, so you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck.

Oh, and for owners of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the original Nintendo Switch, get the enhanced Switch 2 versions for free with an active subscription.

Four classic #GameBoy titles are now live for #NintendoSwitchOnline members!

☑️ SURVIVAL KIDS
☑️ GRADIUS THE INTERSTELLAR ASSAULT
☑️ Kirby's Star Stacker™
☑️ The Sword of Hope pic.twitter.com/0ZWNLTFZ5Q

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 23, 2025

This week, Nintendo has released four more classic games from the Game Boy era, including: Gradius the Interstellar Assault (1991), Kirby’s Star Stacker (1997), Survival Kids (1999), and The Sword of Hope (1989).

“I always wanted to play The Sword of Hope!” said phubans, replying to a tweet by Nintendo.

“Survival Kids was way ahead of its time with its survival mechanics,” replied TanTheManTV.

To access the four new Game Boy additions, simply fire up the respective app on your Nintendo Switch and then the games will instantly become available to play. However, the Game Boy app may require a small update first.