Nintendo Switch Online Shadowdrops Two Game Boy Classics

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Nintendo Switch Online unexpectedly added two classic Game Boy games, Yoshi and Balloon Kid, for subscribers on February 3rd. This is the first Game Boy update for the service in 2026, following a release last fall in 2025.

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers get access to a library of classic games through the Nintendo Classics app. While some systems like Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 require the more expensive Expansion Pack, the Game Boy app is included with the standard $20-per-year Switch Online membership. The last game update was in early January, adding Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance for the GameCube.

Nintendo Switch Online Users Can Now Play Yoshi and Balloon Kid

Following the release of Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando on the Game Boy app, Nintendo unexpectedly added two more games for subscribers. Balloon Kid and Yoshi, first launched in 1990 and 1991, are now available. Yoshi is a unique puzzle-action game where players control stacks of trays as Mario. The goal is to match two or more falling enemies, like Goombas and Piranha Plants, within each stack to eliminate them. Eggshells occasionally fall from the top and can be used to trap monsters. The game ends if too many monsters fill a stack and cross the top limit. Yoshi can be played solo or with a friend in two-player mode.

Unlike other recent releases, Balloon Kid is a classic 2D platformer. It’s a sequel to the well-known Balloon Fight, and its main gameplay is similar to Balloon Fight‘s ‘Balloon Trip’ mode, where the levels scroll automatically. Players control Alice and must dodge obstacles as she moves toward the end of each stage. Alice can float with balloons, jump, and even stomp on enemies to defeat them. Balloon Kid also offers a two-player mode where players compete to collect the most balloons. To play Yoshi and Balloon Kid, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers need to connect to the internet and update the Game Boy: Nintendo Classics app. With these additions, the app now features a total of 43 games.

Games Available On the Game Boy: Nintendo Classics App (February 3, 2026)

  • Alleyway
  • Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
  • Balloon Kid
  • Baseball
  • Bionic Commando
  • Blaster Master: Enemy Below
  • BurgerTime Deluxe
  • Castlevania Legends
  • Donkey Kong
  • Donkey Kong Land
  • Donkey Kong Land 2
  • Donkey Kong Land 3
  • Dr. Mario
  • Game & Watch Gallery 3
  • Gargoyle’s Quest
  • Gradius: The Interstellar Assault
  • Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
  • Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble
  • Kirby’s Dream Land
  • Kirby’s Dream Land 2
  • Kirby’s Star Stackers
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
  • Mario Golf
  • Mario Tennis
  • Mario’s Picross
  • Mega Man 2
  • Mega Man 3
  • Mega Man 4
  • Mega Man 5
  • Mega Man: Dr. Wily’s Revenge
  • Metroid 2: Return of Samus
  • Pokemon Trading Card Game
  • Quest for Camelot
  • Super Mario Land
  • Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
  • Survival Kids
  • The Sword of Hope
  • Tetris
  • Tetris DX
  • Wario Land 3
  • Yoshi

February Will Be Busy For Fans of Nintendo’s Older Products

As a Nintendo Switch Online member, I’m really excited about what’s coming in February! They’re adding a Virtual Boy app on February 17th with seven games, including Virtual Boy Wario Land, and two more – D-Hopper and Zero Racer – will be added later. It’s worth noting you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription and a Virtual Boy attachment that connects to the Switch 2 to play these. It’s kind of wild to think that even though the Virtual Boy is often called Nintendo’s worst console, it was actually their first try at virtual reality!

Even with the addition of games like Yoshi and Balloon Kid, the Nintendo Switch Online app still doesn’t have all the most popular Game Boy titles. With the Pokémon series turning 30 this year, many fans are hoping to see classic Pokémon games like Pokémon Red and Blue added to the lineup. Right now, Pokémon Trading Card Game is available on the Game Boy app, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and Pokémon Colosseum are planned for release on the GameCube app soon.

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2026-02-04 06:05