Top 5 Games We Desperately Need on Nintendo Switch Online in 2025!

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Fans eagerly anticipate that Nintendo’s ambitious plans for 2025 may include expanding their Nintendo Switch Online service by adding more titles. As the release of the Switch 2 is scheduled for later this year and promises to continue offering its catalog of classic games, there are certain standout games that players have been longing to see included.

The introduction of Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) sparked a buzz within the Nintendo fanbase, marking the first time the company charged a subscription fee for online gaming. To make sure players received value for their subscriptions, NSO members were granted access to numerous titles from systems like the NES, SNES, Gameboy, and more. Since its debut, additional games and consoles have been consistently added. In fact, 2024 saw a greater number of games added to Nintendo Switch Online than any other year thus far. As we move into the era of the Switch 2, there’s anticipation that 2025 will see even more popular, demand-driven games joining the service.

What Games Do Players Want to See on Nintendo Switch Online

It’s Time for Official Localizations of Japanese Exclusives

Over the years, Nintendo has been instrumental in introducing numerous games to global players, yet some games fail to reach an international audience. This was particularly prevalent during Nintendo’s early stages, when it was uncertain if certain concepts would resonate beyond Japan. Consequently, some popular franchises have exclusive titles that can only be enjoyed by those who understand Japanese.

Notably, the third installment in the “Earthbound” series, known as “Mother 3“, has long been desired by international fans for localization since its initial release. Even the creator of “Earthbound” has expressed a desire for it to be localized, implying that Nintendo holds the key in making this decision. To many, a global release of “Mother 3” would be an excellent move for Nintendo in the coming year.

Gaming Giants are Missing From the NES Online

Initially, the NES was the initial console incorporated into the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service, and it continues to receive fresh updates. As recently as December 2024, new content has been added to the NES Online, which includes newly released games. One could assume that Nintendo might be running out of high-quality titles yet to add, but there have been some unexpected absences. Games such as Contra or Battletoads would make excellent inclusions in the NES Online, offering modern players a better grasp of how challenging games on that console could be. It’s also remarkable that none of the original Castlevania games have appeared on the NES Online yet. Given that titles from Gameboy and Sega Genesis are accessible to NSO users, it seems fitting that the game that launched it all should follow suit.

The Switch 2 Brings New Possibilities for the SNES Online

Following the unveiling of the Switch 2’s trailer, there’s been lots of chatter about its potential abilities. One unexpected feature is that the updated Joy Cons will include mouse functionality, something Nintendo hasn’t used since the SNES era. This has left many wondering why this function was included in the Switch 2. Regardless of the reason, it does pave the way for more SNES games to be added to the SNES Online collection. A strong possibility is Mario Paint, a game that originally came with the SNES mouse. Since it was difficult to play without the required accessory, its return has now become possible, along with other games that have been hard to enjoy for years.

A Genre Defining Game Needs to Return for the N64

In the hearts of many Nintendo enthusiasts, N64 games hold a cherished spot. As the company transitioned to 3D gaming, it started shaping both its identity and setting benchmarks for various genres during the 3D era. Games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reached the zenith of exploration and introduced design concepts that are still employed today. Though the collectathon era has passed, some still yearn for its return, and the N64 allowed them to reexperience that charm. Last year’s inclusion of Banjo Tooie was a pleasant surprise for collectathon enthusiasts, but it leaves one significant figure in the genre absent. Donkey Kong 64 is renowned as the most comprehensive collectathon game ever made, and some consider the N64 Online’s library incomplete without it. With Donkey Kong back in the spotlight following his recent redesign, Nintendo could capitalize on this renewed interest by adding Donkey Kong 64 to NSO, and doing so sooner rather than later.

The GBA Online Should Let Fans Play Em’ All

The Nintendo Switch Online service has done a good job of offering games from Nintendo’s back catalog, except for one notable franchise – Pokemon. Since Nintendo’s handheld systems have long been synonymous with Pokemon games, it’s surprising that Pokemon isn’t included in the NSO library. With no new mainline Pokemon game scheduled for release this year, fans might take advantage of the opportunity to replay classic games like Pokemon Red, Blue, Crystal, and Emerald, which allow players to explore old regions. If Pokemon were added, it could also potentially enable players to move their Pokemon to the upcoming generation 10 games via Pokemon Home once they are released.

It remains uncertain which, if any, of these games will be added next year, but since Nintendo Switch Online is continuing, there’s optimism that more games are on the horizon. Some fans are even hoping for significant additions to the NSO library, but no information has been shared about potential future expansions yet.

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2025-02-01 20:26