Nintendo Classics

Nintendo Classics
Content	Subscription gaming service
Availability	Paid subscription (with Nintendo Switch Online & Expansion Pack)

Nintendo Classics are a collection of classic Nintendo games that can be accessed via a Nintendo Switch Online membership, as well as Expansion Pack-exclusive games. As of May 2025, the collection has been renamed "Nintendo Classics" from "Nintendo Switch Online" in the libraries' names.

They are available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Overview

Unlike Virtual Console, these collections of games does not cycle out games and subscribers can play as many games as they want from a selection upon starting up - similar to streaming applications like Netflix. Online multiplayer is supported including a second player option to watch and give hints via a cursor. All games are displayed at a higher resolution and most are always displayed at a 4:3 aspect ratio, while some support widescreen. Apps are downloaded freely from the Nintendo Switch's eShop, but accessing them requires an active NSO subscription.

Display of controllers at Nintendo San Francisco.

Except for the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance libraries, all console libraries each have dedicated controllers for Nintendo Switch Online members and can only be purchased through Nintendo's website. They can be wirelessly connected and charged with a USB-C cable. The NES / Famicom controllers can be attached onto the Switch console.

Library

Nintendo Entertainment System

• Launched: September 18, 2018
• No. of Games: 90

Games from the Nintendo Entertainment System library. As of March 30, 2022, there are 61 unique games available in North America on the service.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

• Launched: September 5, 2019
• No. of Games: 81

Games from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System library were made available since September 2019. As of March 30, 2022, there are 51 unique games available in North America on the service.

Game Boy

• Launched: February 8, 2023
• No. of Games: 38

Games from the original Game Boy family of systems were made available since February 2023. 9 games were made available at launch.

Expansion Pack library

Nintendo 64

• Launched: October 25, 2021
• No. of Games: 40 (incl. Mature games)

This app includes games from the Nintendo 64 game library, presented at higher resolutions, and includes rumble support for select games. At launch, 9 games have been made available, with additional games confirmed for future release. Up to 4 players can play locally and online. Rewind function is not supported on the original Switch, making it only Nintendo Classics game library to not have rewind function supported.

Nintendo 64: MATURE 17+

• Launched: November 30, 2023 (JP) / June 18, 2024 (WW)
• No. of Games: 8 (incl. base app's games)

This app is dedicated exclusively to Nintendo 64 games with Mature ratings ("C" or higher in Japan). Released in Japan on November 29, 2023 as Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online 18+ and released worldwide on June 18, 2024 as Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online: MATURE (In North America known as Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online: MATURE 17+).

Game Boy Advance

• Launched: February 8, 2023
• No. of Games: 26

Games from the Game Boy Advance catalogue have been included since Q1 of 2023. It supports local and online multiplayer, up to 4 players. There were 6 games available at launch.

Nintendo GameCube (Nintendo Switch 2)

• Launched: June 5, 2025
• No. of Games: 3 (+7 upcoming)

Games from the Nintendo GameCube catalogue will have been included from Q1 of 2025. It supports local multiplayer, up to 4 players. There were 3 games available at launch.

See also

• Nintendo Switch Online
• Expansion Pack
• Virtual Console
• Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition