Nintendo Classics


Nintendo Classics is a line of emulated retro games distributed by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Launched in 2018, subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online service have access to games for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy and Game Boy Color. A more expensive subscription tier, titled "Expansion Pack", was introduced in 2021. Through this tier, players can also access Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and Virtual Boy games, with GameCube exclusively available on Nintendo Switch 2. Each console's library is accessed through a dedicated app, with new games being added on an irregular basis. Games are accessible as long as the user has an active subscription, and a user must connect to the internet at least once a week to continue to access services while offline.
The Nintendo Classics emulators include online multiplayer support, allowing players to play local multiplayer games remotely with friends. The emulators also support control remapping and save states, with most consoles also allowing players to rewind gameplay. Some NES and SNES games also have an alternative version labeled "SP" which alters the game in some way, typically unlocking additional modes, starting the player with additional items or levels, or starting the player midway through the game.
Nintendo Classics features numerous titles that were not available on Nintendo's Virtual Console. Some games saw their first re-release in any form since their original debut including Pro Wrestling, Vice: Project Doom and Pilotwings 64. The Nintendo Classics service marks the first release in North America for some games, such as Pop'n TwinBee, Smash Tennis and Mario's Super Picross.

Standard subscription

Nintendo Entertainment System

With the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service on September 19, 2018, NES games were made available with 20 titles available at launch. During its first year, Nintendo Classics provided a new batch of NES games on a monthly basis., there are 92 games and 20 "SP" variations available, including the following:
Release dateGamePublisher/
September 19, 2018Balloon FightNintendo
September 19, 2018BaseballNintendo
September 19, 2018Donkey KongNintendo
September 19, 2018Double DragonArc System Works
September 19, 2018Dr. MarioNintendo
September 19, 2018ExcitebikeNintendo
September 19, 2018Ghosts 'n GoblinsCapcom
September 19, 2018GradiusKonami
September 19, 2018Ice ClimberNintendo
September 19, 2018Ice HockeyNintendo
September 19, 2018Nintendo
September 19, 2018Mario Bros.Nintendo
September 19, 2018Pro WrestlingNintendo
September 19, 2018River City RansomArc System Works
September 19, 2018SoccerNintendo
September 19, 2018Super Mario Bros.Nintendo
September 19, 2018Super Mario Bros. 3Nintendo
September 19, 2018Tecmo BowlKoei Tecmo
September 19, 2018TennisNintendo
September 19, 2018YoshiNintendo
October 10, 2018Nintendo
October 10, 2018NES Open Tournament GolfNintendo
October 10, 2018Solomon's KeyKoei Tecmo
October 10, 2018Super Dodge BallArc System Works
November 14, 2018Gradius SP Konami
November 14, 2018MetroidNintendo
November 14, 2018Mighty Bomb JackKoei Tecmo
November 14, 2018NES Open Tournament Golf SPNintendo
November 14, 2018TwinBeeKonami
December 12, 2018Adventures of Lolo HAL Laboratory
December 12, 2018Adventures of Lolo HAL Laboratory
December 12, 2018Dr. Mario SPNintendo
December 12, 2018Metroid SP Nintendo
December 12, 2018Ninja GaidenKoei Tecmo
December 12, 2018Wario's WoodsNintendo
January 16, 2019Blaster MasterSunsoft
January 16, 2019Ghosts'n Goblins SPCapcom
January 16, 2019Joy Mech FightNintendo
January 16, 2019Ninja Gaiden SPKoei Tecmo
January 16, 2019Zelda II: The Adventure of LinkNintendo
February 13, 2019Blaster Master SPSunsoft
February 13, 2019Kirby's AdventureNintendo
February 13, 2019Metroid SP Nintendo
February 13, 2019Super Mario Bros. 2Nintendo
February 13, 2019Tsuppari ŌzumōKoei Tecmo
March 13, 2019Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of LightNintendo
March 13, 2019Kid IcarusNintendo
March 13, 2019Kirby's Adventure SPNintendo
March 13, 2019StarTropicsNintendo
March 13, 2019Yie Ar Kung-FuKonami
March 13, 2019Zelda II: The Adventure of Link SPNintendo
April 10, 2019Kid Icarus SPNintendo
April 10, 2019Punch-Out!!Nintendo
April 10, 2019Star SoldierKonami
April 10, 2019Super Mario Bros.: The Lost LevelsNintendo
May 15, 2019Clu Clu LandNintendo
May 15, 2019Clu Clu Land: Welcome to New Cluclu LandNintendo
May 15, 2019Donkey Kong Jr.Nintendo
May 15, 2019Star Soldier SPKonami
May 15, 2019Vs. ExcitebikeNintendo
June 12, 2019City ConnectionCity Connection
June 12, 2019Double Dragon II: The RevengeArc System Works
June 12, 2019TwinBee SPKonami
June 12, 2019VolleyballNintendo
July 17, 2019Donkey Kong 3Nintendo
July 17, 2019Mighty Bomb Jack SPKoei Tecmo
July 17, 2019Wrecking CrewNintendo
August 21, 2019Downtown Nekketsu March: Super-Awesome Field Day! Arc System Works
August 21, 2019Gradius SP Konami
August 21, 2019Kung-Fu HeroesCulture Brain
August 21, 2019Vice: Project DoomSega
December 12, 2019CrystalisSNK
December 12, 2019Famicom WarsNintendo
December 12, 2019Journey to SiliusSunsoft
December 12, 2019Route-16 TurboSunsoft
February 19, 2020Eliminator Boat DuelPiko Interactive
February 19, 2020Sunsoft
February 19, 2020Shadow of the NinjaNatsume Inc.
April 20, 2020Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light SP Nintendo
April 20, 2020Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light SP Nintendo
May 20, 2020RygarKoei Tecmo
July 15, 2020Piko Interactive
September 23, 2020S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack TeamNatsume Inc.
December 18, 2020NightshadePiko Interactive
December 18, 2020Smash Ping PongNintendo
February 17, 2021Fire 'n IceKoei Tecmo
May 26, 2021Ninja JaJaMaru-kun City Connection
July 28, 2021Super Mario Bros. 3 SPNintendo
February 9, 2022EarthBound BeginningsNintendo
March 30, 2022Dig Dug IIBandai Namco Entertainment
March 30, 2022Mappy-LandBandai Namco Entertainment
May 26, 2022PinballNintendo
July 21, 2022Daiva Story 6: Imperial of NirsartiaD4 Enterprise
March 15, 2023XeviousBandai Namco Entertainment
June 5, 2023Mystery TowerBandai Namco Entertainment
October 31, 2023Devil WorldNintendo
October 31, 2023Nintendo
October 31, 2023Ninja JaJaMaru-kun SPCity Connection
February 21, 2024R.C. Pro-AmXbox Game Studios
February 21, 2024Snake Rattle 'n' RollXbox Game Studios
July 4, 2024Cobra TriangleXbox Game Studios
July 4, 2024Donkey Kong Jr. MathNintendo
July 4, 2024Famicom Mukashibanashi: Shin OnigashimaNintendo
July 4, 2024GolfNintendo
July 4, 2024Gomoku Narabe RenjuNintendo
July 4, 2024Mach RiderNintendo
July 4, 2024Mah-JongNintendo
July 4, 2024Solar JetmanXbox Game Studios
July 4, 2024Urban ChampionNintendo
December 12, 2024TetrisNintendo
November 26, 2025BattletoadsXbox Game Studios
November 26, 2025Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of ChaosKoei Tecmo