Three Classic Games Join Nintendo Switch Online, Featuring Japanese-Exclusive Mario Title

Nintendo has enriched its Nintendo Switch Online service with the inclusion of three beloved retro games, prominently featuring a \u201cMario\u201d title that was once solely accessible in Japan. This expansion brings a fresh wave of nostalgia and new challenges to subscribers.

\u201cMario & Wario,\u201d a puzzle-platformer originally launched on the SNES in 1993, is now available to a wider audience. This unique installment required the Super NES Mouse for gameplay, with players guiding the fairy Wanda to help a vision-impaired Mario navigate through 100 levels. For Switch 2 owners, their Joy-Cons can emulate the mouse functionality, while original Switch users will need a USB mouse. Additionally, the platformer \u201cBubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind,\u201d also from 1993, makes its debut on the service, tasking players with assisting Bubsy the bobcat in safeguarding yarn balls from alien invaders. The fighting game \u201cFatal Fury Special,\u201d an enhanced edition of \u201cFatal Fury 2\u201d featuring additional characters and a secret boss, completes this trio of classic releases.

These new additions are part of the broader Nintendo Switch Online library, which offers a diverse collection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy titles for an annual subscription of $19.99. This subscription also includes online multiplayer and GameChat. For those seeking an even more expansive gaming experience, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, priced at $49.99 per year, unlocks access to GameCube and Game Boy Advance games, along with other exclusive benefits.

This initiative by Nintendo to reintroduce classic titles underscores the enduring appeal of retro gaming and provides a valuable opportunity for both veteran players and new generations to discover or rediscover these foundational works of video game history. By making these games accessible on modern platforms, Nintendo not only preserves gaming heritage but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the evolution of interactive entertainment, uniting players through shared experiences across decades of gaming innovation.