Welcome lone gamer! As a fellow Nintendo fan, I wanted to highlight some exciting updates coming this month to Nintendo Switch Online (NSO). Grab your Switch, settle into your bean bag chair, and let‘s dive into the noteworthy arrivals.
What is Nintendo Switch Online?
For those unfamiliar, Nintendo Switch Online is Nintendo‘s premium online service. It grants players access to crucial functionality like:
- Online multiplayer gaming
- Cloud backup of game save data
- Smartphone app for voice chat and managing friends lists
- Special offers like free game trials and exclusive DLC
- Ever-growing library of classic NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games
There are two main subscription tiers to choose from:
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online | $3.99/month $7.99/3 months $19.99/year |
NES & SNES games Online play Cloud saves Smartphone app |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack | $49.99/year | All base NSO benefits + Nintendo 64 & Genesis games + Expansion Pack DLC |
The Expansion Pack is absolutely worth it for retro enthusiasts. But more on that later!
Wave Race 64 Makes Waves
The headliner this month is iconic Nintendo 64 jet ski racer Wave Race 64 splashing down onto the Expansion Pack lineup. Originally released in 1996, Wave Race 64 was critically praised for its unique wave physics and accurate water mechanics.
The game plays like a form of watery motocross. Players race jet skis through turbulent ocean waves and winding channels marked by colored buoys. Pulling off tricks off ramps or sharp cuts between cresting waves provides a thrill akin to real extreme sports.
With realistic water effects and graphics impressive for the era, Wave Race 64 stood out from contemporaries like Extreme-G or Hydro Thunder. It remains the best video game realization of jet ski racing ever released.
Gamers weaned on today‘s hyper-realistic franchises may scoff at N64-era polygons. But the dynamic courses based on real-world locations still impress. There is a serene joy in carving through the emerald green waters of Southern Island, or battling 8-foot swells in the fury of Sunset Bay.
Finding the optimal routing by riding waves is key to victory. Approach a wave head-on to gain a burst of speed. Cut laterally across a swell to take the ridge and catch big air. Master fluid movement and you‘ll leave AI racers in your spray.
Beyond the main Championship mode, keen racers can test their skills against ghost times in Time Trials. For tricks and spills, Stunt Mode removes the racing element and scores players solely on their aerial acrobatics.
Most exciting is that online multiplayer support means we can now compete against friends and strangers from around the world. It‘s an excellent chance to expose modern gamers to this often overlooked N64 classic.
Now let‘s move from waves to ink as we preview…
Splatoon 3 Offers Early Access Splatfest
Fans eagerly await the launch of Splatoon 3 on September 9th, 2022. The massively popular Switch shooter series casts players as squid-human hybrids battling to cover stages in as much colorful ink as possible.
As a special treat for Nintendo Switch Online members, Nintendo is providing early access and a demo from August 25-28. Dubbed the Splatfest World Premiere, it lets players sample Splatoon 3’s new weapons, maps and game modes before release.
The highlight is a 12-hour Splatfest tournament pitting three teams against one another:
- Team Rock – These edgy cephalopods are all about anarchy and noise.
- Team Paper – Careful strategists who play the long game.
- Team Scissors – Reckless berserkers charging ahead heedlessly.
During Splatfest, players choose a team and compete to cover territory in their color ink. The most coverage after 12 hours wins glory for their squad! Special rewards like banners and titles will appear in the full game at launch.
This global multiplayer stress test helps Nintendo fine-tune servers before launch day. But more importantly, it generates massive hype and FOMO (fear of missing out).
Splatfest events have always been highlights of the Splatoon community calendar. Providing first hands-on access for free is a genius move to drive preorder sales and build buzz. Kudos to Nintendo’s marketing team!
What Classic Games Could Come to NSO Next?
Nintendo has played coy regarding upcoming selections for the Nintendo 64 and Genesis libraries. New drops tend to surface randomly without official schedules.
That said, dataminers pore through each firmware update seeking clues about potential additions. From these leaks, plus some educated guesses, we can speculate on what beloved retro gems could arrive on Nintendo Switch Online next!
Here are just 10 of the many jaw-dropping classics not yet available:
Nintendo 64
- Super Mario 64 – The must-have 3D platformer that defined video games.
- Pokémon Snap – Uniquely relaxing on-rails photography adventure.
- Mario Party 2 – The pinnacle of the franchise’s N64 iterations.
- Kirby 64 – Charming claymation-style adventure.
- Micro Machines 64 Turbo – Frantic miniature car battles.
Sega Genesis
- Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Arguably the best 16-bit Sonic game.
- Streets of Rage 3 – Beat ‘em up masterpiece with 4-player co-op.
- Gunstar Heroes – Legendary run and gun shooter.
- Castlevania: Bloodlines – An underplayed Gothic classic.
- Dr. Robotnik‘s Mean Bean Machine – Wonderful match-3 puzzler.
With over 1,500 games released between both platforms, Nintendo need not worry about running out of options!
Many pillars of gaming history remain obvious omissions. We can expect to eventually see essential first-party titles like Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64 come to N64 Online. Rare classics like Donkey Kong Country also seem inevitable for SNES Online.
Until official announcements, guessing which retro favorites get added next is all part of the fun!
Is Nintendo Switch Online Worth Buying?
In an age where many game companies charge for basic online functionality, Nintendo Switch Online provides excellent value. Cloud saves alone are worth the $20 annual fee for most gamers.
Access to growing libraries of NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Genesis games sweetens the pot enormously. Modern gems like Tetris 99 and rewind features in classic titles adds icing as well.
Occasional hiccups like Nintendo 64 emulation lag or stale monthly game updates do still need ironing out. But with hot exclusives like Splatoon 3, Bayonetta 3 and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet coming soon, there‘s never been a better time to dive in.
If you‘ve yet to check out Nintendo Switch Online, I highly recommend giving the free 7-day trial a spin. Test the online play, cloud saves and check out the retro catalog for yourself. I‘m sure you‘ll quickly agree the low asking price provides awesome bang for your buck!
Let me know which announced N64/Genesis games you’re most eager to replay next! Or sound off with your wishlist of most-wanted additions to Nintendo Switch Online down in the comments!
Happy gaming, friend!
