While it may still be weird to be without the Virtual Console on Switch, fans can at least be happy that Nintendo has Switch Online setup to provide some free NES and Super Nintendo games. The problem with that though is the company's release activity. In 2020, Nintendo put out fifteen SNES games, which was a decent number, but only six NES titles.
There are still loads of classics for each platform that are not up on the online service. For the SNES, these omissions are the most bizarre, but here’s hoping Nintendo will wisen up and release all of these and more in 2021.
10 Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Almost all of the Mario games from the SNES era are on Nintendo Switch Online except this RPG. Even something as obscure as Mario's Super Picross, which is in Japanese, made it on the service before Super Mario RPG.
It’s a strange omission but it might have something to do with Square Enix being involved with the game. As Square developed the classic RPG, this might be an extra hurdle to adding Super Mario RPG to Nintendo Switch Online. Hopefully, the game is introduced soon.
9 Legend Of The Mystical Ninja
Legend Of The Mystical Ninja is one of many Goemon games on the SNES and also the only one to get localized in the West. The game has a top-down perspective in some portions while the dungeons are in 2D. The best thing about Legend Of The Mystical Ninja is the fact that it can be played in co-op.
This service is in desperate need of co-op games so this hidden gem from Konami should shoot to the top.
8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time
Another great choice for a co-op game is this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles classic. Like Super Mario RPG, the license may be the reason why it has not made it on the service yet.
For example, this game's remake for the PS3 and Xbox 360, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled, was pulled off digital shelves due to licensing agreements in 2011. The license's ownership might be a stumbling block for Nintendo.
7 Chrono Trigger
A pure, non-Mario related RPG that should make it on the platform is Chrono Trigger. Between this and Final Fantasy VI, two great games still adored by fans, Chrono Trigger is the better choice.
Unfortunately, Square Enix doesn’t have a presence on Nintendo's service. Switch Online needs more RPGs as there are only two in the West, while Japan is not doing much better with just four.
6 NBA Jam
The Nintendo Switch Online service is currently missing sports games. While there are somehow two tennis games, there are no basketball, football, or baseball games.
For arcade fans that don’t like complicated systems, NBA Jam is the obvious pick for multiplayer. Decades later, this SNES Classic is still an absolute blast to play and will surely attract attention from users who might not be interested in the Switch's online service.
5 The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse
Putting a Mickey Mouse game on Nintendo's service might sound crazy, but this was back during the era when Capcom was making a majority of Disney’s games. The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse is simply a great platformer.
Any of these Magical Quest games would be awesome to see on the service, and some of them even support co-op. The license might be tricky to wrangle, though.
4 EarthBound
Something that shouldn’t be hard to add to the system is EarthBound. This was and still is a Nintendo owned game. Yes, there was some controversy about music but Nintendo hammered that out when this game finally came to the Wii U Virtual Console.
Fans would rather see Nintendo translate Mother 3, but if the company is not going to do that, then it might as well toss this up as a consolidation. Also, put EarthBound Beginnings up on the NES service too.
3 Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius
Like Goemon, Parodius is a Konami franchise that didn’t get too many releases outside of Japan. Thankfully, this horizontal shooter has such easy to navigate menus, a translation would not be necessary.
What makes this series a good choice for the service above other space shooters like R-Type or Gradius is how weird it is. Plus, Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius is a celebration of a lot of Konami icons.
2 Gunple: Gunman’s Proof
Gunple: Gunman’s Proof will be tricky to play as it is in Japanese, however, it is definitely good enough to justify Nintendo finally releasing a translation. It’s like EarthBound meets The Legend of Zelda crossed with a Western.
Part of the reason why Gunple was never released outside of Japan was that it didn’t launch until 1997. As this was long after the PS1 and N64 came out, SNES games were somewhat outdated. Gunple is still worth going back to now though.
1 Fire Emblem: Thracia 776
Since Nintendo translated the first Fire Emblem after three decades, it’s now time to go back and do the rest of the catalog. While Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light were not released for free, Nintendo should translate Thracia 776 and make it free on this service. This is the type of game that could thrive on Nintendo Switch Online.
For some extra context, Thracia 776 was one of the last games released for the SNES in Japan. It originally debuted in 1999 digitally and was then printed on carts in 2000.