Nintendo Classics is a line of emulated retro games distributed by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Launched in 2018, subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online service have access to games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy (GB) and Game Boy Color (GBC). A more expensive subscription tier, titled "Expansion Pack", was introduced in 2021. Through this tier, players can also access Nintendo 64 (N64), Sega Genesis (GEN), Game Boy Advance (GBA), and Virtual Boy (VB) games, with GameCube (GCN) exclusively available on Nintendo Switch 2. Each console's library is accessed through a dedicated app, with new games being added on an irregular basis. Games are accessible as long as the user has an active subscription, and a user must connect to the internet at least once a week to continue to access services while offline.
The Nintendo Classics emulators include online multiplayer support, allowing players to play local multiplayer games remotely with friends. The emulators also support control remapping and save states, with most consoles also allowing players to rewind gameplay. Some NES and SNES games also have an alternative version labeled "SP" ("Extra" in some regions) which alters the game in some way, typically unlocking additional modes, starting the player with additional items or levels, or starting the player midway through the game.
Nintendo Classics features numerous titles that were not available on Nintendo's Virtual Console. Some games saw their first re-release in any form since their original debut including Pro Wrestling, ' and Pilotwings 64. The Nintendo Classics service marks the first release in North America for some games, such as Pop'n TwinBee, Smash Tennis and Mario's Super Picross.
With the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online service on September 19, 2018, NES games were made available with 20 titles available at launch. During its first year, Nintendo Classics provided a new batch of NES games on a monthly basis. , there are 92 games and 20 "SP" variations available, including the following:
Announced in a Nintendo Direct on September 4, 2019, SNES games were added to the service worldwide with 20 titles on September 5, 2019. An update on July 29, 2025, added the ability to remap each game's controls, as well as support for Super NES Mouse controls with compatible games; Switch 2 allows these games to be controlled with the Joy-Con 2's mouse controls, while playing on Switch requires a compatible USB mouse. , there are 85 games and 7 "SP" variations available, including the following:
Announced in a Nintendo Direct on February 8, 2023, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games were added to the service worldwide with 10 games the same day. The Game Boy emulator includes multiple display settings that recreate the visual appearance and color palettes of the original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, or Game Boy Color. Super Game Boy features are not emulated. , there are 45 games available, including the following:
Announced in a Nintendo Direct on September 23, 2021, Nintendo 64 games were added to the service worldwide with nine titles on October 25, 2021. Games are based on the NTSC releases using 60 Hz timing; select games also have the option to play the European versions which run at their original PAL 50 Hz speed, including those that support multiple languages. The app does not emulate the ability to save to a Controller Pak, meaning some games can only save progress through the use of save states. An update on June 5, 2025 added the ability to remap each game's control scheme. Players on the Nintendo Switch 2 are also able to rewind gameplay and apply a CRT filter. Games that received a Z rating from the Japanese CERO rating board or an M rating from the ESRB are available as part of a separate "18+" application in Japan or "Mature 17+" application in western regions. , there are 44 games available, including the following:
Announced in a Nintendo Direct on September 23, 2021, Sega Genesis games were added to the service worldwide with 15 titles on October 25, 2021. , there are 51 games available, including the following:
Announced in a Nintendo Direct on February 8, 2023, Game Boy Advance games were added to the service worldwide with six titles the same day. An update in September 2025 added the ability to remap the in-game controls. , there are 31 games available, including the following:
GameCube was added to the service with three games alongside the Nintendo Switch 2's launch on June 5, 2025. GameCube games are only available on Nintendo Switch 2. The emulator allows players to reassign buttons and customize controls for each game. Players are also able to control the games using original GameCube controllers via the GameCube Controller Adapter. , there are 9 games available, including the following:
Announced in a Nintendo Direct on September 12, 2025, Virtual Boy games were added to the service on February 17, 2026, with seven games available at launch. The games display two separate images on either side of the screen to recreate the stereoscopic 3D effect of the original system. The games cannot be displayed in full screen and require the use of an additional headset accessory for proper play. The accessory is available in two formats: a plastic mount based on the original system, and a cardboard sleeve. While not officially supported, the Virtual Boy headsets are also compatible with games that supported the Nintendo Labo VR Kit and vice versa. Players can adjust the screen size and inter-pupillary distance of the display to refine the 3D effect. A planned update to the application will allow players to view the games in other colors. In addition to released games, the Virtual Boy library will include a pair of previously unreleased games, D-Hopper and Zero Racers. , there are 9 games available, including the following: