Nintendo Switch Online becomes the ultimate classic gaming platform

Nintendo Switch Online it might not have a flawless reputation, but its game library is nothing to sneeze at. With the service set to continue on Nintendo's next console, Nintendo Switch Online's catalog of retro games could be a major asset for the company going forward.

In a recent statement, company president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that Nintendo Switch Online will play a role in the company's next console. Specifically, Furukawa confirmed that NSO will remain in place as part of Nintendo's backwards compatibility efforts with the next console, colloquially called Switch 2. As far as what can be speculated from this news, it's likely that NSO will continue to grow throughout the life of the Switch 2, potentially expanding its inventory of classic games even further.

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How Nintendo Switch Online is becoming a retro gaming powerhouse

What makes expanding the Switch Online library not only possible, but likely, is the popularity of this aspect. Nintendo Switch Online has been controversial several times since it first introduced paid network services to Nintendo consoles. From infamous lag issues, especially with games like Super Smash Bros. last and Super Mario Maker 2to an obtuse means of voice chat integration, Switch Online has never been particularly popular compared to other consoles' online play.

However, NSO's trove of retro games has often been a point of pride. The initial slate of NES games was a decent start, but the introduction of SNES titles is what really caught the attention of fans. Now with two subscription models, including an expanded option that includes N64, GBA and Sega Mega Drive games, Nintendo Switch Online's retro repertoire is always growing. Considering how many of these older games have long been left on the sidelines, the service really fills a big gap in the market – one that's only getting wider as more and more retro games get lost in the time each year. If Nintendo keeps this momentum going, potentially expanding the number of retro studios brought under the NSO banner, the service could become one of Switch 2's biggest strengths.

Switch Online continues to grow and has moved beyond Nintendo

As previously mentioned, NSO wasn't too impressive at launch – with its offering of NES games it didn't do much to make up for the service's other flaws. However, there are now over 100 games on NSO, and that number includes Sega games. Sega has long been out of the console market, and its older games haven't been as well preserved as Nintendo's classics. Fortunately for retro fans, the company's inventory on NSO has just expanded even further, with November this year hosting more Sega Genesis titles.

That's not to mention other deals Nintendo would have had to close to carry NSO's current catalog. A notable example would be Banjo-Kazooie series; in late 2024, NSO completed the duology by adding Banjo-Tooie. Microsoft's purchase of Rare saw that IP tied to Xbox for years, making its return here notable even with the inclusion of the bear and the bird in Super Smash Bros. last. These deals with Sega and Microsoft are examples of the lengths Nintendo is willing to go to make NSO a retro gaming hub, so it's possible the company will go even further.

The future of Switch Online looks bright, but it needs to stay ready to compete

Nintendo Switch Online has a lot to offer, which might be upsetting news for those who prefer a virtual console system. However, the biggest issue facing NSO is its place in today's subscription service climate. In the realm of film and television, Netflix's success has seen a thousand imitators – splitting media into dozens of services and squandering some of streaming's original appeal. Publishers like Ubisoft have already started subscriptions of their own, and the retro gaming market could become a battleground in this area (especially with Atari's recent purchase of Intellivision).

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