While online services have been free on past Nintendo consoles, the Nintendo Switch has introduced the Switch Online subscription for those that want to play their games online. However, Switch Online is more than just an online multiplayer service. Switch Online also has a library of free games that players can check out, with titles from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, and more.
But with so many free games available through Switch Online, some fans may not know where to start. With that in mind, here are the 15 titles that we believe to be the best choices for anyone looking for something fun to play through their Switch Online subscription.
Donkey Kong Country
One of the more recent additions to the Nintendo Switch Online library, the original Donkey Kong Country remains a classic platformer to this day. Boasting graphics that were revolutionary at the time and tough-but-fair platforming challenges, the original Donkey Kong Country is considered a classic for a reason. Here's hoping that the rest of Rare's SNES-era Donkey Kong Country games make it to the Switch Online service at some point in the near future.
F-Zero
There were some rumors that an F-Zero reboot game was in the works, but it seems those have turned out to be fake. While it's disappointing that F-Zero fans will apparently not get a new entry in the series on the Nintendo Switch any time soon, at least they can check out the SNES original. F-Zero is known for its steep difficulty and fast-paced racing gameplay, and it still holds up as one of the best racing games on the SNES.
Metroid
The original Metroid was a serious change of pace from Nintendo, abandoning the company's cutesy characters in favor of a bleak, sci-fi shooter. Metroid is notable for being one of the first major video games with a female protagonist, and for having significantly more exploration elements than was typical of games in the era. It spawned one of the industry's most critically-acclaimed franchises, and is still a lot of fun.
Ninja Gaiden
Most of the games on this list were published by Nintendo, but Ninja Gaiden is one exception. The popularity of Ninja Gaiden on the NES has helped fuel rumors that protagonist Ryu Hayabusa is coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and while that remains to be seen, fans can check out his original adventure with their Switch Online subscription. It's an incredibly challenging game, but it's made a bit more manageable thanks to Switch Online's save states feature.
Punch-Out!!
Punch-Out!! on Switch Online is missing Mike Tyson's likeness, but the game retains the same gameplay that fans will remember from the NES original. A rhythm and puzzle game as much as it is a fighting game, Punch-Out!! is definitely a unique take on the boxing game genre.
Star Fox
Similarly to Donkey Kong Country, Star Fox pushed the Super Nintendo's hardware to its limits with cutting-edge graphics and visual effects. An on-rails shooter, the original Star Fox may not be quite as memorable as the Nintendo 64 followup, but it's still a lot of fun. Fans can also check out Star Fox 2, which was originally unreleased before it launched with the SNES Classic.
Super Mario Bros.
The original Super Mario Bros. is always a go-to for retro gaming enthusiasts, and it stands as one of the best games in the entire NES library. Laying the foundation for countless other games and revolutionizing the industry in the process, Super Mario Bros. is a must-play, and fans can do so through the Switch Online service.
Super Mario Bros. 3
While the original Super Mario Bros. is still great, Super Mario Bros. 3 takes things to the next level. A more fully-featured gaming experience, Super Mario Bros. 3 features an overworld map filled with levels and secrets, plus a variety of new power-ups to change up the gameplay quite significantly. One of the largest and most visually-impressive NES games, Super Mario Bros. 3 is often cited as the absolute best game on the system, and so it makes an excellent addition to the Switch Online library of titles.
Super Mario Kart
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is arguably the best Mario Kart game to release to date, but fans can use the Switch Online service to see how it all started. Super Mario Kart on the SNES provides fun multiplayer gameplay and a colorful roster of Super Mario series characters for players to race as. Many of the popular levels seen in later Mario Kart games, like Rainbow Road, were established with this original entry in the series.
Super Mario World
Often hailed as the best 2D platformer ever made, Super Mario World is, like its predecessors on this list, an absolute must-play. An SNES launch title, Super Mario World takes the Super Mario series level design to new heights, combined with impressive visuals and a catchy soundtrack. It also introduced the world to Yoshi, and gave Mario and Luigi a suite of new powers and abilities they could use to conquer its levels.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
While it's labeled as the sequel to Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island is a different beast entirely and spawned its own sub-series of games. Instead of playing as Mario, Super Mario World 2 has players take on the role of Yoshi and tasks him with protecting vulnerable baby Mario through a variety of levels. Notable for its unique art style and gameplay mechanics, Yoshi's Island is not quite as fast-paced of a platformer as the original Super Mario World, but it certainly has its own charms.
Super Metroid
Super Metroid invented the Metroidvania genre, giving players a large, open planet to explore, with their progress regularly blocked by various obstacles. Players have to equip Samus with new abilities to overcome these obstacles, in turn also giving her powerful new attacks to use in combat. A super-sized version of the NES original, Super Metroid is often found at the top of lists naming the best SNES games, and it's still influencing major video game releases to this day.
Tetris 99
The vast majority of the games on this list are from the NES and SNES libraries, but another perk of a Switch Online subscription is free access to Tetris 99. Essentially a Tetris battle royale, Tetris 99 is a competitive version of Tetris where 99 players compete to be the last one standing. Tetris 99 is supported with tournaments and special events on a regular basis, so there is always something new to experience in the game.
The Legend of Zelda
Similarly to how the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES was hugely innovative, so too was the original Legend of Zelda. One of the first video games that actually let players save their progress and one of the first to have an open world, the original Legend of Zelda lets players freely explore the mysterious land of Hyrule. Players are able to fight off some of The Legend of Zelda franchise's classic monsters as they solve puzzles, complete dungeons, and ultimately complete one of the NES system's greatest adventures.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past significantly improves the graphics compared to the NES Legend of Zelda, adds many more gameplay features, and lets players loose in an even bigger open world Hyrule. New items, dungeons, and more will keep players entertained for hours in what is easily one of the best SNES games available.
Future Games
Nintendo continues to support its Switch Online service with new NES and SNES games, but there have been rumblings that Nintendo 64 games may be added at some point down the line. Nothing official has actually been announced by Nintendo just yet, but the addition of Nintendo 64 games would definitely take the Switch Online subscription service to the next level.
Here's hoping Nintendo continues to expand the Switch Online's library of games moving forward.