Nintendo expands Switch Online library by adding three new NES titles, reaching a total of 87 games in the West
In a recent update, Nintendo has expanded its Nintendo Switch Online Classics service by adding three iconic titles from the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) library: Ninja Gaiden 3: The Ancient Ship of Doom, Ikari Warriors, and RC Pro-Am 2. This addition signifies a strategic effort by Nintendo to enhance its subscription service, which allows players to access a growing inventory of retro games.
Ninja Gaiden 3, which made its debut in 1991, introduces players to the character Ryu Hayabusa. In this installment, Ryu is wrongfully accused of murder and encounters a CIA conspiracy aiming to unleash a race of super mutants from another dimension. Originally exclusive to Japan and North America, this release completes the NES trilogy of the Ninja Gaiden series now available on Switch Online, featuring the previous two titles.
Ikari Warriors, another classic, is renowned for its engaging gameplay as a vertically-scrolling run-and-gun shooter. Players can assume the roles of commandos Paul and Vince, navigating through enemy-filled territories. The game can be played solo or cooperatively, and it offers players greater firepower through the option to commandeer tank vehicles during gameplay.
Completing the trio, RC Pro-Am 2, a sequel to Rare’s popular gaming franchise, combines racing with tactical weapon mechanics. The game enhances the original’s format by introducing new city and off-road tracks, alongside a multiplayer mode that accommodates up to four players.
With the introduction of these titles, the total number of NES games available through the service reaches 87 titles in Western markets and 99 when factoring in Japan-exclusive games. Nintendo’s online subscription allows access not solely to NES games but also includes Super Nintendo (SNES), Game Boy, and Game Boy Color titles, with subscription tiers ranging from £3.49/€3.99/.99 for a one-month membership to £17.99/€19.99/.99 annually. An Expansion Pack, necessary for accessing more recent titles from Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and GameCube, is available at an annual cost of .99/£34.99/€39.99.
This ongoing strategy of diversifying the game roster highlights Nintendo’s commitment to combining nostalgia with modern gaming, appealing to both longtime fans and new players alike.
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