During today’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced that Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games would be coming to Nintendo Switch Online. The Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games will come as part of an expansion to the current Nintendo Switch Online service. The new expansion will come in the form of an additional tier to the current service. Currently, Nintendo Switch Online has a single-tier system. However, now Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games will only be available on a new higher tier. There are no words on pricing for the new tier, but Nintendo promised that more details such as this will be available in October. The new tier will also launch in late October.
The announcement comes after months of rumors that Nintendo 64 games would be coming to the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo 64 games will join the current selection of NES and SNES games that are already available as part of the regular Nintendo Switch Online service. However, the Sega Genesis announcement came as a bit of a surprise. Anyone who knows their Nintendo/Sega history will know that the companies were bitter rivals during the console wars of the 80s and 90s. To see Sega Genesis games on the Nintendo Switch, in the same way that we get classic Nintendo games, is quite the sight.
A selection of games was announced for the initial launch of the new Nintendo Switch Online tier. Nintendo 64 games included popular classics such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Starfox 64 among others. For the Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Phantasy Star IV, and Streets of Rage were some of the big hitters. Other Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games will be added to the service at a later date.
For retro gaming purists, Nintendo will be releasing wireless versions of the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis controllers for the Nintendo Switch. The controllers will be available for $49.99, but they will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership to purchase.
The Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games will be added to Nintendo’s Online service in late October.