Nintendo Switch Online users are neglecting 50 games they're paying for; here are the must-plays to get your money's worth

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers might be letting one of the biggest libraries on the service go to waste, which is probably why Nintendo has given up on it itself.

In October 2021 the Nintendo Switch Online library welcomed Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games to the service for those who paid extra for the Expansion Pass.

At the time of writing a total of 50 games are available, and yet it feels like hardly anyone ever talks about them, nor plays them.

While it’s understandable that Nintendo’s own games would be more popular, we’d implore you to check out at least some of the Genesis/Mega Drive games included in your subscription. Here are our personal recommendations.

Ecco the Dolphin

One of the most utterly confusing action-adventure games of all-time. How anyone figured out the way to beat this game all those years ago is beyond us, and yet there’s something so inherently charming about a dolphin endeavouring to save his aquatic friends.

SEGA

Comix Zone

This platformer felt very ahead of its time. Rush through a beat-em-up game set inside a living comic book. It couldn’t get any cooler.

SEGA

Castlevania: BLOODLINES

A beloved entry in the Castlevania series, and one that’ll test even the most-skilled players. It can also get quite expensive on the second-hand market, making your Nintendo Switch Online subscription a risk-free way of trying it out.

Konami

Space Harrier 2

This is a great game to stick on when you’ve got a spare 15 minutes to kill. Infinitely replayable for a better high-score and very, very fun.

SEGA

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Vectorman

We were first introduced to Vectorman as a bonus unlockable game in the Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube, and it’s honestly a peak platformer. You play as an Orbot called Vectorman who returns to Earth to find a robot uprising, which he vows to terminate.

Vectorman – SEGA

Ristar

Out of every game featured on this list we’d probably recommend Ristar the most, as it’s a solid platformer about a star that unfortunately didn’t stick around. Please try it.

SEGA

Gunstar Heroes

The art of run-and-gun games has slowly been lost over the years, though games like Cuphead are still keeping the spark alive. Gunstar Heroes is easily one of the best games the run-and-gun genre has to offer.

SEGA

Mega Man: The Wily Wars

This one has become quite the rarity nowadays, with second-hand prices reaching as high as $1,000 based on what we’ve seen. It’s a remake of the first three Mega Man games and a solid way of re-experiencing a Capcom legend.

Capcom

Sonic The Hedgehog 2

From the ‘blue bomber’ to the ‘blue blur’, you can’t talk about SEGA games with Mr SEGA himself; Sonic The Hedgehog. Weirdly, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is the only mainline title available, which is fine because it’s also one of the best.

SEGA

All of the above games are included with your Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, and while Nintendo’s own offering makes the service worthwhile, you’d be doing yourself a disservice to sleep on what SEGA has to offer.

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