10 Iconic Games Still Missing From Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers are able to play online as part of their package, but the real incentive for most is the library of games NSO has available. Nintendo has cataloged classics from lots of its eras: NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, N64, and even SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive games. However, there are plenty of classic titles that still need to be added – some more than others.

The NSO subscription service features numerous incredible classic games from across the decades, and the service continues to grow every year. However, many iconic games from different franchises are still missing from the subscription service, leaving many fans calling for their addition. Plenty of games from Nintendo’s flagship franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon are not included, with hopes high for their addition one day.

10 The Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Nintendo DS

Originally Released: 2007

Wishing for The Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass on Nintendo Switch Online is more representative of a bigger problem for the service: there’s no Nintendo DS, GameCube, or Wii games as of yet. While this makes it hard to hope such a game could be added, Phantom Hourglass would be the perfect fit for the handheld-hybrid console, and it’s one of the series’ most underrated games that fully deserves to be introduced to new audiences.

The game follows Link on his journey to save Tetra following the events of The Wind Waker, and while porting a DS game to Switch will likely have its challenges, it’s the perfect addition to the subscription service. Since we’re still waiting to hear about a potential Wind Waker or Twilight Princess remaster – perhaps this is more likely to happen.

9 Kid Icarus: Of Myths And Monsters, Game Boy

Originally Released: 1991

The Kid Icarus franchise was finally able to return to the spotlight with the release of Kid Icarus: Uprising, one of the best games for Nintendo 3DS. The title was released with immense praise and created a large following of fans. Before that, however, there was Kid Icarus: Of Myths And Monsters on the Game Boy. This side-scroller platforming game focused on Pit as he fights to save Palutena and all of Angel Land from a terrifying demon known as Orcos.

Given how popular Kid Icarus: Uprising was on the 3DS, a return to the franchise via NSO is highly anticipated. If Myths And Monsters manages to make it onto the Nintendo Switch Online service, it will allow many to discover this game for the first time.

8 Super Smash Bros., N64

Originally Released: 1999

The Super Smash Bros. franchise has been an iconic staple of the video game franchise for many years, especially after how incredible Super Smash Bros Ultimate was. With how popular the franchise has been over the past few decades, it feels right to finally return to the very first game after all this time.

Despite the original’s much smaller roster, it still stands the test of time as an iconic fighting game with incredibly fun and engaging gameplay. Adding the original Super Smash Bros. to NSO would allow the large communities of devoted fans to re-experience this beloved title.

7 Animal Crossing, N64

Originally Released: 2001

The original Animal Crossing debuted on the Nintendo 64 to critical acclaim from players around the world. With every new release, this franchise gains more fans looking to enjoy a peaceful life in their little village or remote island. With how popular Animal Crossing: New Horizons was, along with the exclusive Happy Home Paradise DLC that comes with the NSO subscription, the original Animal Crossing game would feel right at home among the various other games that are available.

With plenty of Animal Crossing fans only just experiencing their first taste of the franchise with New Horizons, adding the original game to NSO would be a great way for later fans to experience the very earliest iteration of the cozy life sim. While its features and gameplay may be lacking compared to ACNH, there’s still lots of fun to be had in the N64 game.

6 Conker’s Bad Fur Day, N64

Originally Released: 2001

Conker’s Bad Fur Day is a 2001 3D platformer that released on the Nintendo 64 and immediately stood out due to its mature themes. Even though it was nowhere near as popular as Super Mario, it still has a devoted cult following that has begged for the game to return on modern consoles.

Many were worried that due to the game’s crude humor, strong language, and sexual themes, it would never be remade for a modern Nintendo console. Fortunately, since the Nintendo Switch Online service now includes other mature-rated games like Perfect Dark and Turok, there’s always a chance that Conker’s Bad Fur Day could eventually return.

5 Pokémon Colosseum & XD: Gale Of Darkness, GameCube

Originally Released: 2004

As some of the first 3D Pokémon games to ever exist, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale Of Darkness are two entries in the iconic monster-catching franchise that stand out from many other mainline games. Not only are the 3D battles reminiscent of Pokémon Stadium, which is already on NSO, but they also have devoted cult followings that have begged for these two games to get the proper acknowledgment they deserve.

Colosseum and Gale Of Darkness feature entirely new regions that are separate from the mainline games and brand new evil teams that challenge the player every step of the way. This is primarily due to the unique gimmick known as Shadow Pokémon, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to battles while also being an intriguing part of the games’ narratives. After all, the iconic and mysterious Shadow Lugia is certainly a staple, and more players deserve to get to experience these games for themselves without having to dig through hundreds of resale stores.

4 Chrono Trigger, SNES

Originally Released: 1995

Chrono Trigger has often been regarded as one of the best RPGs ever made, so it comes as a shock that it still has yet to be added to Nintendo Switch Online. With its beautiful artwork, well-written story, and engaging combat, there is a lot to love about this game. People have been begging for Chrono Trigger to be brought to modern consoles for years, Nintendo should consider adding this game to its library.

As great as it would be for this game to be re-released on the Switch, its inclusion on NSO is entirely up to whether or not Nintendo can make a deal with Square Enix. Until then, the fate of Chrono Trigger‘s inclusion in NSO remains in the air.

3 Mother 3 (Earthbound 3), Game Boy Advance

Originally Released: 2006

The first two games in the Earthbound franchise were finally added to Nintendo Switch Online for Western players in 2022. The two games have been a staple of the RPG genre for many years, with many hoping that the third game will one day become available. However, many soon found out that Japanese players could also get Mother 3, meaning that Western players have once again been without this long-awaited sequel.

The reason why there has been no Mother 3 release outside of Japan is because it was never localized for any other countries. With how long fans have waited for an English translation of Mother 3, it deserves to finally get a chance to arrive in the West, and NSO would be the perfect home for it.

2 Donkey Kong 64, N64

Originally Released: 1999

Out of all the Donkey Kong games, Donkey Kong 64 is certainly the most popular and is one of the most requested titles to be added to Nintendo Switch Online. It was a very ambitious game for its time, with great music, fun gameplay, and engaging challenges. There is a lot to love about this iconic game.

Despite its immense popularity, many of the Donkey Kong games on NSO have been titles other than 64, such as Donkey Kong Country. Perhaps one of the biggest struggles that has prevented DK 64 from being put on NSO is that developers might be attempting to balance its gameplay to prevent backtracking. Whatever the reason, Nintendo should listen to Donkey Kong fans and give them what they want before the Switch 2 arrives.

1 Pokémon Red, Blue, & Yellow, Game Boy

Originally Released: 1998

There has possibly been no bigger outcry from fans than the one for Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow to finally be added to Nintendo Switch Online. As the trio of games that started the iconic, beloved franchise involving catching and battling with monsters, they deserve to be added to the lineup of various games.

These classic titles would fit right at home alongside the Pokémon TCG added to the service just a few years ago, and as one of the world’s most popular franchises, more Pokémon games needed to be added before the Nintendo Switch‘s successor finally arrives.