It’s safe to say that Nintendo Switch Online isn’t perfect. As theNintendo Switch’s major online service, NSO has seen its fair share of criticism, whether that be about the performance of online multiplayer for certain titles, or the introduction of themore expensive Expansion Pack tierin 2021. And, while certainly cheaper than the premium tiers for Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, NSO’s other issues will lead some players to question the worth of joining the service at all.
Nintendo Switch Online Has Seen Its Fair Share Of Criticism
The Rate Of Classic Games Being Added To NSO Was Pitiful
Moreover, NSO has faced criticism over the quality of titles added to the service.The launch of the N64 catalog, for example, was rife with problems, as players noticed input lag andrendering issues with titles such asThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, that affected their overall enjoyment playing these games on NSO. Nintendo’s lackadaisical approach to its legacy content on NSO has proven to be a major disappointment for players who may be trying out these classic titles for the first time.
NSO’s issues with legacy content are disappointing, especially considering it’s one of the service’s biggest features. Nintendo’s back catalog of classic games is unrivaled by almost any other publisher or developer. Plus, with the monumental success of the Switch,NSO will be the easiest way to access this library for many players, making it a guaranteed success. The service’s failure to take advantage of one of its biggest selling points resulted in a massive downgrade to its overall quality, calling into question the worth of joining NSO at all.
2024 Was A Major Year For Nintendo Switch Online
More Games Were Added To The Service Than Any Previous Year
Thankfully, Nintendo has shown a willingness to rectify issues with legacy content on NSO, especially in the past year. As reported byGame Rant,more retro titles were added to NSO in 2024 than any other year, with 56 games being added across all the console libraries. That’s not even mentioning the most surprising titles that were added this year. Two of Rare’s most beloved titles,Banjo-TooieandPerfect Dark, made their way to a Nintendo console for the first time since their debut on N64, whileF-Zero Climax’s addition marks the game’s first release outside of Japan.
Banjo-Kazooie Is Making A Comeback With Nintendo Switch Online, But This Beloved Franchise Deserves So Much More
With Banjo-Tooie’s arrival on Nintendo Switch Online, it seems there’s an ongoing Banjo-Kazooie revival, but the series deserves so much more.
NSO’s additions in 2024 were indicative of a major shift in Nintendo’s approach to the service. Even if the new record is only a minor improvement over the 55 games added in 2023, the increase demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to providing more consistent support to NSO’s legacy content. Moreover, the addition of certain titles, whose appearance on the service once seemed impossible, shows recognition of the importance of making these beloved games more widely available, making NSO more appealing with its larger and more varied library.
2025 Could Be Make-Or-Break For NSO
The Switch 2 Puts More Pressure On NSO
While the improvements to NSO have helped to broaden the service’s appeal, 2025 will be a crucial year for its future success. For starters, the increase in games added to the service will come with expectations from players that Nintendo will be able to maintain consistent support in the future. The appeal of an online service like NSO not only comes in the content already available, but the promise of future additions to justify the continuous monthly payments, making consistency a priority.
10 Games That Should Be Added to Nintendo Switch Online In 2025
Nintendo Switch Online does an admirable job brining retro titles to modern hardware, but there are plenty of Nintendo classics still missing.
How NSO Should Evolve For Nintendo Switch 2
More Benefits Could Help To Win Over Subscribers
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the successor to 2012’s Wii U console. The Nintendo Switch allows gamers to easily switch between playing on a TV to a handheld console. The first model was released in 2017, followed by the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is strictly a handheld console. In October 2021, Nintendo released an upgraded Switch console with an OLED screen.
