N64 on Switch Online: Fans Identify Upcoming Games

Fans speculated about the upcoming games of Nintendo 64 that could be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack catalog. Speculation arose after the identification of hidden files and release patterns from Nintendo, suggesting which classics might be on their way to the subscription service. This expectation shows the continued interest in Nintendo's retro library and the importance of expanding access to these titles.

The gaming community often sifts through update data to anticipate future announcements, and the accuracy in identifying these patterns has been a reliable indicator for upcoming releases of old games on Switch Online.

The community's speculation is based on two main sources: datamine files and the pace of game additions to the service. Although Nintendo has not made any official announcements, the following Nintendo 64 titles are the most likely for future additions to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack:

Mario Party 3: The final title of the original Mario Party trilogy for the N64, known for its minigames and varied boards.

1080° Snowboarding: A classic winter sports game, praised for its gameplay and graphics at the time of its release in 1998.

Excitebike 64: The 3D sequel to the popular motocross game, featuring challenging tracks and a track creation mode.

Harvest Moon 64: One of the most beloved titles in the farm simulation series, known for its depth and charm.

Paper Mario: The first Mario RPG in paper style, acclaimed for its story and innovative gameplay, originally released in Japan in 2000.

Pokémon Snap: A Pokémon photography game, where players capture creatures in their natural habitat.

Majora's Mask: Considered one of the best games in The Legend of Zelda series, known for its dark atmosphere and time travel mechanics, released in 2000.

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack was launched in October 2021, adding Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games to the subscription service library. Since then, Nintendo has been releasing new titles intermittently, maintaining a steady flow of content for subscribers. The inclusion of classics like Majora's Mask and Paper Mario would be a major draw for the service, which seeks to justify its value, especially for the higher-tier subscription level.

Expanding the Nintendo Switch Online library is crucial for Nintendo to keep its subscribers engaged, especially with the imminent arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2. Although Nintendo has admitted a common flaw in the Switch 2, the company continues to focus on its subscription service to offer value to its users. The possibility of playing these N64 classics on the Switch 2 with performance improvements is an additional draw.

Nintendo has the opportunity to use the N64 library as a strong selling point for Switch Online, especially if it continues to add high-demand titles. Transparency about the roadmap for future releases could benefit the company, given the fans' enthusiasm to access these classics.