With the introduction of Nintendo Switch Online back in September, subscribers have access to a wide variety of classic NES titles to play directly on their own Switch consoles. After starting off with an initial list of titles to choose from, Nintendo has stayed true to its dedication of adding more games to the catalog over time. This trend will continue into April, as three more classic titles will be making their way to the NES Online service.
On April 10th, Nintendo Switch's NES Online service will be adding Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, Punch Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream, and Star Soldier. This next wave of retro titles brings the list of NES Online games total to 38. After starting off with 20 titles to choose from when the service first went online, each month has brought new additions, such as Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link back in January, Ninja Gaiden this past December, and Metroid in November to name a few. This month also marks the first occurrence where both Japan and North America will be receiving the same list of games.
What New Games are Added to NES Online for April?
As far as the new games being added this month, Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels released in 1986 as a direct sequel to the original game in Japan. In America, the game was released as Super Mario Bros. 2, which is currently playable on the Switch's NES catalog. The game is known for being much more difficult than its predecessor, while also introducing gameplay features uncommon in the rest of the 2D era of the Super Mario Bros. series, such as backward warp zones and poison mushrooms.
Punch Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream is the virtual console re-release of the original Punch Out!!. The difference between both versions is that the game's final fight sees Mr. Dream replace Mike Tyson, while the rest of the game remains unchanged, as players still play as Little Mac and rise up the ranks of the WVBA Boxing scene.
Finally, Star Soldier, which released in Japan in 1986 and North America in 1989, respectively, is a vertical side-scrolling space shooter. The game has seen multiple sequels and remasters launch on platforms such as Game Boy Advance, PSP, and the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console.
Looking at the new entries for the Switch NES service, it appears the rumors surrounding SNES games have been put on hold for the time being. Those rumors, plus additional reports of Nintendo 64 and Gamecube ports on Switch, will have to sit and bake for a while longer as well. For now, everyone will have to settle for the earliest era of console games Nintendo has to offer.
In order to access Nintendo Switch Online's NES service, players need to make sure they check-in weekly to Nintendo's online servers. Otherwise, they'll be unable to access the catalog until their console has been reconnected to the Internet. Access to classic NES games is of course just one of the many features included with Nintendo Switch Online, which also allows users to save their game data via cloud storage, and grants access to competitive and cooperative online play.
Source: NintendoLife, YouTube