All articles tagged with #switch online
Nintendo has announced a full, free trial of Ball x Pit for Nintendo Switch Online members in Europe, running until June 1, 2026; download the base game at no cost, and the Switch 2 Upgrade Pack is also free to enhance the experience.
Tetris 99 is kicking off its 54th Maximus Cup from May 29 to June 1, 2026 to celebrate Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on Switch 2, with 100 event points unlocking a special Yoshi-themed theme featuring new art, music, and Tetrimino designs; you’ll need a Nintendo Account with Switch Online, and there’s an in-store North America demo for Yoshi’s game.
Nirvanna the Band updates its Wii Shop Wednesday jingle to only mention games available on Nintendo Switch Online, trimming lines for titles not on NSO. The edit highlights how NSO’s catalog differs from the old Virtual Console, noting some games remain purchasable elsewhere (eShop) while others aren’t included in NSO, and references the band’s ongoing projects.
Nintendo Music’s Special Release adds 10 tracks from Star Fox for Switch 2, delivering about 30 minutes of orchestral music (including Title Theme, Opening Theme, Corneria) and is available early to Switch Online members; tracks preview the upcoming game ahead of its June 25, 2026 release, with composers Koji Kondo and Hajime Wakai. The service also offers the Lylat Wars soundtrack (39 tracks) and the N64 Star Fox via Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics.
A guide to entering EarthBound (2026) says don’t start with EarthBound Beginnings: it’s grindy and vague; play EarthBound first (Switch Online includes both EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings), then, if you want the trilogy, tackle Mother 3 via a fan translation or a reproduction cart since there’s no official English release. Note the naming: Beginnings is Mother, EarthBound is Mother 2, and Mother 3 never released officially in English.
Tetris 99 is hosting a Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream crossover from May 1–4, 2026. Players with an active Switch Online membership can earn 100 points to unlock a Tomodachi Life-themed theme featuring art, music, and Tetrimino designs. The event coincides with the Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream release and follows a small update to the game, with additional Switch Online icons and tracks already added.
Nintendo Music for Switch Online's mobile app added ten tracks from Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for the Switch as a special release (22 minutes total); Nintendo notes there will be no new tracks next week. The update arrives alongside other celebrations, including an Animal Crossing soundtrack release and new Switch Online icons.
Six new Nintendo-themed Custom Designs (including a Game Boy standee and Famicom tee) are now available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons via the Custom Designs Portal on Nintendo's official island Ninten. With a Nintendo Switch Online membership, players can earn in-game items at the island hotel souvenir shop and even play a classic Nintendo game on compatible systems. The Nintendo island can be visited with Dream Address DA-6382-1459-4417.
Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 2 now lets players visit the developer’s Cloud Island by entering code PXQC G03S, as long as they have an active Switch Online membership and the Mysterious Goggles purchased with Life Coins; the island visit may contain spoilers, and there’s also an ongoing More Spores for Hoppip event plus a Ditto rug available via Mystery Gift.
Nintendo adds three Mario titles to Switch Online for MAR10 Day: Mario's Tennis and Mario Clash (Virtual Boy) and Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Game Boy Advance), available via the Virtual Boy and GBA 'Nintendo Classics' apps for Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.
Nintendo Life reports Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a GameCube RPG, is joining the Switch 2 Online GameCube library in March 2026 as an NSO-exclusive release. It marks the second RPG spin-off to hit the service (arriving before Pokémon Colosseum), and centers on Shadow Pokémon led by Shadow Lugia. Notably, XD cannot be transferred to other Pokémon games nor used with Pokémon Home, and the NSO listing implies this title will land exclusively on Switch 2 before Colosseum arrives.
Nintendo marks 30 years of Pokémon with Switch releases of FireRed and LeafGreen, including Sevii islands, local wireless trading, and language-specific versions (English, French, Spanish) priced at $19.99 each; Switch Online members gain access to updated Pokémon music via Nintendo Music, with language/version and regional availability notes.
Nintendo brings back the Virtual Boy via the Switch with the Nintendo Classics retro lineup, but you must buy a $100 plastic headset (or a $25 cardboard version) and maintain a Switch Online subscription to access seven launch titles. The games run in portable mode without the accessory, but the goggles are essential for a playable (and legible) experience. It’s an uncomfortable, eyestrain-prone setup that’s oddly compelling for die‑hard fans, yet costly and limited in scope—more a boutique nostalgia item than a practical revival.
Nintendo Life reports four weekly waves of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition icons returning for Switch Online, with each icon costing 10 Platinum Points (and 5 for background/border); a Switch 2 Edition upgrade is available (£4.19/$4.99) alongside a full Switch 2 Edition (£54.99/$64.99) and a physical release arriving in April. The 4K/60fps (dock) and 1080p/60fps (handheld) upgrade accompanies the re-release, and icons refresh weekly, remaining live until 3/19 at 6pm PT. First wave is live now.
Nintendo Switch Online’s Virtual Boy library can be played using Labo VR goggles (Switch 1 fits, Switch 2 needs tweaks), but TV play is not supported. You can view the dual images without peripherals, though the screens are tiny; IPD and image size can be adjusted, with hue options promised later. Seven VB games are available as of Feb 17, 2026, led by Wario Land, and a hardware review is forthcoming.