Switch 2: Nintendo Switch Online - Can I Access The Retro Game Catalogue?

Nintendo Switch Online, more than just letting you play your games online, also grants access to a wealth of retro titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. If you opt for the more expensive Expansion Pack tier, you can also play select games from N64, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube.

It's a service that's only grown as the years go by, thus further justifying the annual price with every new addition. But does it carry over to the Nintendo Switch 2? Well, we're here to answer that very question.

So, will retro games be playable on Switch 2 with a Switch Online membership?

In short, yes! The service has been renamed Nintendo Classics, but it has indeed carried over to Switch 2.

If you're subscribed to the basic Nintendo Switch Online tier, you'll retain access to games across NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Sega Mega Drive / Genesis on the Nintendo Switch 2. If you've gone for the more expensive Expansion Pack tier, you'll have access to all aforementioned platforms along with N64 and Game Boy Advance.

Will there be any new additions for the Switch 2?

Yes, GameCube games are now playable exclusively on the Switch 2, having launched the same day as the console itself - 5th June 2025.

You'll need to be subscribed to the higher Expansion Pack tier to gain access. Remember, GameCube games won't be playable on Switch 1.

Three games are playable since launch, with a further seven confirmed for a later date. Naturally, we can expect even more in the coming months and years that have yet to be revealed.

Here's what you can play right now:

• F-Zero GX
• SoulCalibur II
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

And here's what's been confirmed to follow in the future:

• Chibi-Robo
• Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (yessssss!)
• Luigi's Mansion
• Pokémon Colosseum
• Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
• Super Mario Strikers
• Super Mario Sunshine

How much does Nintendo Switch Online cost?

At the time of writing, there haven't been any price increases for Nintendo Switch Online since the release of the Switch 2 and accompanying GameCube games.

So here's a look at the pricing for the basic membership tier of Nintendo Switch Online:

The Expansion Pack tier is a little bit pricier, but remember it will also come with access to N64, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube (exclusive to Switch 2) games:

Will I be able to play GameCube games with an official GameCube pad?

Yes! An official wireless GameCube controller launched on the same day at the Switch 2, letting you play the new GameCube titles on NSO in the most authentic manner possible. Currently, much like previous NSO controllers, you'll need an active subscription to purchase one from Nintendo.

The official GameCube pad costs £58.99 in the UK and $64.99 in the US.

Anything else I should know?

One interesting little nugget is that Nintendohas changed the name of its retro catalogues when the Switch 2 launches. Previously, the name was simply 'Nintendo Switch Online', prefaced by the specific platform. So for example, 'SNES - Nintendo Switch Online'.

This has now changed to 'Nintendo Classics'. So you'll have 'GameCube - Nintendo Classics', 'SNES - Nintendo Classics', etc.

Let us know if you're planning on playing retro games via Nintendo Switch Online on the Switch 2 with a comment.