One of the features that make Nintendo's new online service appealing is the stockpile of downloadable NES games provided with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Now that the service is live and the full list of available games has been revealed, it's safe to say Nintendo is sticking to the classics for now. For those taking advantage of the 7-day free trial or purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online membership, here are the 20 NES games available now.

  • Soccer
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Ghosts' n Goblins
  • Excite Bike
  • Tennis
  • Balloon Fight
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • Yoshi
  • Donkey Kong
  • Ice Climber
  • Double Dragon
  • Gradius
  • Ice Hockey
  • Mario Bros.
  • Dr. Mario
  • River City Ransom
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Baseball

While there are a few exceptions, this is essentially a list of the fundamental 20 games that define the Nintendo Entertainment System. It has the original Mario Bros. and the quintessential Super Mario Bros 3, as well as Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. Nintendo certainly covered their bases, but they also threw in a couple of surprises.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the Nintendo Switch Online's launch selection of NES games includes more than its fair share of sports games. There's Soccer, Ice Hockey, Baseball, Pro Wrestling, Tennis, Tecmo Bowl, and Excite Bike. The addition of Gradius and River City Ransom also came out of left field. While undeniably popular games, Double Dragon, Mega Man, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would've been more obvious choices.

NES Joy-Cons promo

For those with concerns over playing NES games with a Nintendo Switch controller, fear not. Officially-licensed NES controllers for the Switch are available for pre-order to all Nintendo Switch Online members. To clarify, as of now the controllers can only be pre-ordered by those with a subscription to the Nintendo Switch online service. The Nintendo Switch NES Joy-Cons should ship in December 2018.

The membership-exclusive NES-themed joy-cons is just one of the ways Nintendo is showing love to its faithful supporters. Nintendo announced before the launch of its new online service that subscribers would receive "special offers" as a bonus, though no further information has surfaced and it isn't clear whether the NES joy-cons are a part of that program.

Nintendo Switch Online is live now and there is a 7-day free trial available to download today.