2024 has been a great year for gaming, and that includes subscription services likeNintendo Switch Online. AlthoughNintendo’s leading games-on-demand service isn’t perfect, and many lament that it’s the only way to play many Nintendo classics on modern hardware, it has nevertheless provided convenient and valuable gaming experiences for those looking to dig into the company’s rich portfolio.
Like its competitors on Xbox and PlayStation,Nintendo Switch Onlineis regularly updated with new games, though unlike these other leading services, NSO is focused exclusively on older games from platforms like the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64; NSO’s on-demand services give players easy access to many retro titles through emulation. For better or worse, these services seem to be the best way to enjoy older titles on the Switch, and it’s suddenly gotten even more robust.
Banjo-Tooie
About a week ago,Banjo-Tooiemade its way to Nintendo Switch Online—a bittersweet addition for those still mourning the loss of the once-iconic platforming franchise.Banjo-Tooiejoins its predecessorBanjo Kazooieon the service, allowing players to dive head-first into Rare’s gone, but not forgotten, series.
Banjo-Tooieis a 3D platformer not too different from the likes ofSuper Mario 64, where players are tasked with traveling to different environs and collecting a variety of collectibles. But it also stands out as a particularly charming and inventive game, even by today’s standards, shining bright through its simple but satisfying locomotion, colorful cast of characters, incredible soundtrack, and unique gameplay gimmicks, including a multiplayer mode. With its arrival on NSO, players can now enjoytheBanjo Kazooieplatforming duology in its entirety, greatly enhancing the service’s value.
Shadow Man
Banjo-Tooie’s addition to NSO was a pleasant enough surprise, but it was followed by the announcement that it would be joined by the cult classicShadow Manjust a few days later. Although many consider it to beamong the best N64 games,Shadow Mandoes not share the colorful or bubbly characteristics of the likes ofBanjo-Kazooie, adhering to a decidedly more dark and disturbing story.
Based upon the comic series of the same name,Shadow Manfollows Michael LeRoi, a Louisianan who has taken up the mantle of Shadow Man, a title granting him the power to shift between the worlds of the living and the dead, along with a selection of other unique abilities. The game is steeped in voodoo mythology and lore, dripping with the edginess of late-1990s young adult entertainment. For those looking for a classic action-adventure game with effective horror elements,Shadow Manis a great choice.
Shadow Man Remasteredhas been available on modern consoles, including the Switch, for a while now, so the NSO version is perhaps best suited for gaming purists.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
Nintendo Switch Online has also addedTurok 2: Seeds of Evil, a delightfully strange FPS in the vein of seminal releases likeDOOMandGoldeneye. The game’s bizarre premise sees players using alien technology to take down rabid creatures controlled by the Primagen, a centuries-old creature trapped in a wrecked spacecraft. The game isn’t a total revolution from the firstTurok, but it’s generally seen as an improvement, with better visuals and performance, and a more fleshed-out campaign mode.
Whatever opinion one may have about Nintendo Switch Online’s pricing, gatekeeping of specific games, or curious omission of hit franchises likePokemon, it’s hard to deny that it’s built a formidable library of classic games. With these new,in-demand N64 titles coming to the platform, it’s clear that Nintendo is doubling down on what the service has to offer, closing out 2024 with a memorable spate of retro releases.
