Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is an essential service, much like its counterparts, PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass. This subscription is necessary for players wishing to fully engage with online features from the Nintendo Switch forward. Some may view this necessity as an unfortunate obligation required to maintain online server operations.
However, NSO offers a treasure trove of additional benefits, including cloud saves and an extensive library of classic Nintendo games. For those opting for the Expansion Pack, the subscription opens the door to a selection of titles from more modern platforms, such as the Game Boy Advance. Among these games are enduring classics and hidden gems, many of which provide ample justification for subscribing to NSO, as highlighted in the list below.
The ranking of these games considers multiple factors, including critical acclaim, current popularity, and the availability of titles outside NSO. This evaluation aims to encompass one game per franchise, although notable exceptions may be noted where another title closely contests its place.
10 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
Prepare to Cry
The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series captivates fans with its vibrant graphics and engaging dungeon exploration, all backed by an emotionally resonant storyline. Red Rescue Team, the inaugural game in this subseries, alongside Blue Rescue Team—which debuted on different platforms—attempted to innovate by distributing one version on the Game Boy Advance and the other on the Nintendo DS.
Although this platform differentiation had little impact on gameplay, Blue Rescue Team leveraged the DS’s second screen effectively, showcasing maps and player stats with ease. Ultimately, it appears Nintendo aimed to maximize their potential audience during the handheld’s uncertain launch period. By 2007, Blue Rescue Team had sold approximately 900, 000 more units as noted in a report by Nintendo, yet only Red Rescue Team is available on Switch.
The game’s modern remake, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, has caused Red Rescue Team’s standing to diminish in some respects, transforming it more into a collectible for nostalgia than a must-play. Nevertheless, the original offers unique gameplay elements, such as Friend Areas, that the remake does not.
9 Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Super and Slightly Sub-Par
As the third entry in the Mario Kart franchise, Super Circuit holds a special place for bringing the series’ spirited characters and chaotic racing to handheld devices. Despite this innovation, the game’s aging graphics and quirky controls may hinder a seamless player experience. The infamous Mode-7 graphics give the impression of moving the course rather than controlling the character, making it a more challenging entry for new players.
Yet, many of the original tracks, such as Lakeside Park and Broken Pier, remain unremade since their debut, which means Super Circuit is the sole option for revisiting these nostalgic circuits. The game has seen multiple re-releases, including on the 3DS as part of the Ambassador Programme and on the Wii U Virtual Console, before landing on NSO.
8 Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
The Amazing GBA Game
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror introduces a fresh Metroidvania dynamic to the beloved franchise. Developed by HAL Laboratories, Flagship, and Dimps, it invites players to navigate an interconnected world filled with diegetic challenges across nine unique regions, manipulating the titular character’s abilities to explore.
Players can access various zones at any moment, fostering multiple gameplay possibilities reliant on skillful use of power-ups. In addition to the main adventure, Kirby & the Amazing Mirror presents three delightful minigames, such as the wave-riding experience similar to Kirby Air Ride, preparing players for future releases like the upcoming Switch title, Kirby Air Riders.
The game began its re-release journey with the 3DS Ambassador’s Programme and continued through the Wii U before now becoming part of NSO.
7 Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
A Super Game in the Series
As the inaugural entry in the Mario & Luigi RPG series, Superstar Saga is jointly the highest-rated title within the franchise. This installment takes players on a whimsical journey to the Beanbean Kingdom, where Mario and Luigi strive to salvage Princess Peach’s voice from the villainous Cackletta and her henchman Fawful.
With its rich character development, clever humor, and a unique fusion of rhythm and turn-based mechanics, Superstar Saga has earned its notable reputation. Following a previous Wii U release, a 3DS remake allows newer gamers to experience this classic, but securing a copy can be challenging given its late entry into the 3DS’s lifecycle. Thus, NSO serves as an ideal means for players to embark on Mario & Luigi’s odyssey.
6 F-Zero Maximum Velocity
Pedal to the Metal
F-Zero Maximum Velocity delivers the high-octane racing experience familiar to fans of the SNES title. Although this game employs a Mode-7 graphical style, allowing a pseudo-3D perspective, it does not overshadow its predecessor’s charm. Maximum Velocity retains the series’s hallmark speed and competitive racing flair.
Offering four Grand Prix circuits and a unique Championship track laden with fresh hazards, Maximum Velocity is an excellent addition to the iconic series. Originally made available on the Wii U and as part of the Ambassador Programme for the 3DS, its inclusion in NSO presents an excellent opportunity for newer players.
Additionally, the lesser-known F-Zero Climax, also available on NSO, may pique the interest of dedicated fans, having recently been made accessible to international audiences.
5 WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
So Many Microgames
In WarioWare, players step into the shoes of Wario and his quirky friends, plunging into a whirlwind of microgames that challenge skills under strict time constraints. With various themed stages, including Sports and Nintendo Classics, each microgame dazzles with unique gameplay styles crafted by individual programmers.
Known primarily for its on-the-go appeal, WarioWare has seen a remake for the GameCube as WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Games! before being re-released as part of the 3DS Ambassador Programme and the Wii U Virtual Console, culminating in its current place on NSO.
4 Metroid Fusion
Fuse Your Hand to Your Switch to Play More
As a pivotal entry in the Metroid franchise, Metroid Fusion offers a refined approach to the classic Metroidvania formula, emphasizing a more linear storyline compared to its predecessors. This focus on guided gameplay can benefit newcomers, thanks to the inclusion of Navigation Rooms that point players in the right direction.
Despite its structured gameplay, Fusion retains the series’s signature elements, including exceptional controls, immersive atmosphere, and a stellar soundtrack. Initially made available on the 3DS through the Ambassador Programme and later on the Wii U, it finally finds a home in NSO.
For players seeking an entry point into the saga, Metroid: Zero Mission— a modern remake of the original Metroid released the same year as Fusion— is also featured on NSO, offering a brilliant introduction to the franchise.
3 Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
A Bold Leap of Faith for Nintendo
As the highest-rated Western release in the Fire Emblem series for the GBA, The Blazing Blade, known simply as Fire Emblem in the West, adheres to the classic formula that fans adore. This particular installment serves as a prequel to the Japan-exclusive The Binding Blade, following protagonists Eliwood, Lyn, and Hector as they embark on a quest to rescue Eliwood’s father and unveil a looming conspiracy.
Players familiar with modern titles like Awakening and Three Houses will recognize many gameplay mechanics, while also enjoying the novelty of a comprehensive tutorial designed to ease newcomers into the experience. Prior to its inclusion in NSO, The Blazing Blade was only available through a Wii U Virtual Console release, making it a rarer find among players compared to its counterpart, Sacred Stones, which appeared in the 3DS Ambassador Programme.
2 Golden Sun
A Djinn’s Worth of Power on a Small Screen
Golden Sun stands as a quintessential RPG from its era, featuring a group of adept characters imbued with magical abilities as they endeavor to thwart an awakening force of Alchemy threatening the world. Players unlock powerful Psynergy for both combat and puzzle-solving, alongside potent Djinn that enhance character attributes and spells.
Initially confined to the Game Boy Advance, Golden Sun saw a brief resurgence on the Wii U. The unfortunate decline of the Wii U meant this classic remained largely inaccessible until its incorporation into NSO, heralding excitement among those who had previously encountered its legacy through titles like Super Smash Bros.
The sequel, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, is also available on NSO and continues the story, developed concurrently to provide a seamless narrative experience.
1 The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
A Big Adventure for a Tiny Hero
In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, you guide a youthful incarnation of Link on a valiant mission to restore peace to the Kingdom of Hyrule after the sinister Vaati petrifies Princess Zelda and seizes control. With the assistance of the Minish Cap, a sage figure named Ezlo, Link must shrink in size to explore the enchanting realm of The Picori, seeking the Four Elements essential for reforging the coveted Four Sword.
This top-down adventure, brought to life by Capcom, was previously only available on the Game Boy Advance or to fortunate early adopters of the 3DS’s Ambassador Programme, along with Wii U enthusiasts. Now that it’s accessible on Switch, a broader audience can experience Hyrule from a revitalized perspective.
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