Favorite Hidden Gems On Each Nintendo Switch Online Systems
60One of the things I enjoy most about the Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED and Switch 2 is the ability to play classic games right on the systems, thanks to the Nintendo Switch Online Services. We can enjoy classic games from the NES, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and now on the Switch 2, Nintendo GameCube. If you are just getting into the service, you know about classic Mario games to play, but what if you're looking for something different that's still amazing? Well let's take a look at a favorite hidden gems on each of the systems available to play via the Nintendo Switch Online Service.
NES:
Before Mario Kart there was RC Pro-Am. RC Pro-Am is a classic racing video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo. The game is presented from an overhead isometric perspective, putting the player in control of a radio-controlled car. The goal is to race against three other computer-controlled opponents across a series of tracks, with the top three racers advancing to the next course. A defining feature of R.C. Pro-Am is its inclusion of vehicular combat. Players can collect and use weapons like missiles and bombs to slow down or disable their opponents.
Super NES:
Magical Drop II
The fundamental gameplay is a twist on the match-three genre. Instead of blocks falling from the top, you control a character at the bottom of the screen who can grab "drops" of different colors from a constantly descending stack. You can then throw these drops back up to create vertical columns of three or more of the same color. When you do, all adjacent drops of that same color, both horizontally and vertically, will pop and disappear.
Nintendo 64:
Yoshi's Story
In Yoshi's Story, a magical island inhabited by Yoshis is blessed by the Super Happy Tree, which provides all the fruit and happiness for the Yoshis. However, the evil Baby Bowser and his Koopa minions have cast a spell on the island, turning it into a pop-up book and stealing the tree. Now, the Yoshis are sad and their world is devoid of color.
Sega Genesis:
Comix Zone
Comix Zone is a side-scrolling beat 'em up with puzzle and platforming elements. The game's defining feature is its presentation: all action takes place within a comic book layout. Players move from panel to panel, often having to choose between branching paths to progress.
A key gameplay mechanic is the way players interact with the comic world. He can punch and kick enemies through panel borders, causing them to fly into other panels. He can also use items like knives, grenades, and even his pet rat to solve simple puzzles, defeat enemies, or access new areas.
Game Boy:
Donkey Kong
The game begins with the classic scenario: Mario must rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong in the original four arcade levels. However, after Mario defeats Donkey Kong at the end of the fourth stage, the ape revives, grabs Pauline, and escapes. This kicks off a chase through 100 new stages across nine worlds, culminating in a final battle against a giant Donkey Kong.
Game Boy Advance:
Super Mario Kart Super Circuit
Super Mario Kart: Super Circuit is a kart racing game for the Game Boy Advance, released in 2001. As the third installment in the Mario Kart series, it brought the classic gameplay of its predecessors, Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64, to a handheld console for the first time. Players race as one of eight characters from the Mario franchise on tracks filled with obstacles and "Item Boxes." These boxes provide a random item, such as shells, bananas, and mushrooms, which can be used to hinder opponents or aid the player's progress.
GameCube:
TBD
There's not much to the GameCube library I classify as must play or a hidden gem at this time. I'm not a Zelda: Windwaker fan, and I think the other titles are well known enough to not qualify as hidden gems.
What do you think of these choices and the overall Switch Online Library? Share your thoughts in the comments!