This article was published on September 24, 2021

The Nintendo Switch is about to get classic N64 games — and its controller

And Sega Genesis games too


The Nintendo Switch is about to get classic N64 games — and its controller

The moment I’ve been waiting for is about to arrive: starting late October, I’ll finally be able to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on my Nintendo Switch — along with a slew of other classics.

Nintendo today announced Switch Online+, an expansion plan for its current online subscription that adds a variety of games from both the Nintendo 64 and… the Sega Genesis. I guess Nintendoes what Genesis did?

The first batch of N64 games to be included with the plan includes a sweet set of classics:

  • Super Mario 64
  • Mario Kart 64
  • Star Fox 64
  • Yoshi’s Story
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • WinBack: Covert Operations
  • Dr. Mario 64
  • Sin and Punishment
  • Mario Tennis 64

Other N64 classics confirmed to be coming to Switch Online+ after the initial batch

  • Banjo-Kazooie
  • Pokemon Snap
  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
  • Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
  • Mario Golf
  • Paper Mario
  • F-Zero X

I spent countless hours with the vast majority of those titles, so I can already feel the nostalgia pulling my hand towards my wallet.

As for the Genesis titles, these are the launch titles:

  • Castlevania: Bloodlines
  • Contra: Hard Corps
  • Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
  • Ecco the Dolphin
  • Golden Axe
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • Phantasy Star IV
  • Ristar
  • Shining Force
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • Streets of Rage 2
  • M.U.S.H.A.
  • Phantasy Star 4
  • Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
  • Strider

Nintendo hasn’t yet announced a price for the new plan, but I’d expect it to be at least another 5 bucks over the existing $5 plan. The plan is slated to be available in late October.

To really send old-school gamers down memory lane, Nintendo also plans to sell wireless versions of the N64 and Genesis controllers to play these classics.

Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis wireless controllers for the Switch

Is an outdated controller from a 1996 console worth $50? Probably not. Will I still buy it? You bet.

But wait, there’s more! Nintendo also confirmed a release date for the Mario movie (December 21, 2022), it announced a new 3D Kirby game, it finally provided a trailer for Bayonetta 3, and more.

You can watch the full Nintendo Direct below:

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