Retro gaming fans with a Nintendo Switch are in for a Spring treat after the company confirmed Nintendo 64 and Sega MegaDrive games are coming to Switch Online in "late October".
During Nintendo's Direct stream, where it also announced a Mario animated movie starring Chris Pratt and Charlie Day, the gaming giant confirmed a new 'Expansion Pack' tier for its online service.
The announcement was made by video game designer Yoshiaki Koizumi, a senior executive at Nintendo known for his work on the Mario and Legend of Zelda series of games.
"The Nintendo 64 (N64) launched 25 years ago in Japan and North America. I think this console gave many players their first 3D gaming experiences, as well as intense 4-player multiplayer action," Koizumi said.
"With the Nintendo Switch, up to four people can play select Nintendo 64 games locally or online. Also, with this new membership, in addition to the Nintendo 64 games you can play a collection of games from the Sega Mega Drive.
"This means you'll be able to play these classic games whenever and wherever you'd like."
Some of the N64 available at launch include Super Mario 64, Yoshi's Story, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and MarioKart 64.
After launch other classics will be made available over time, including The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, F-Zero X, Banjo Kazooie, and Paper Mario.
Legendary Mega Drive games like Golden Axe, Strider, Ecco the Dolphin, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Castlevania Bloodlines and Streets of Rage 2 will also be available immediately, with more to be added.
Nintendo Switch Online currently costs NZ$6.55 per month or NZ$32.95 per year. Existing subscribers will be able to upgrade their membership if they want access to the new games, the company said. Otherwise they'll keep access the library of Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games currently on offer.
New wireless N64 and Mega Drive controllers are also being released, with any Online member able to buy them.
"To ensure the games can be played with the same style controls from their original releases, we've prepared a Nintendo 64 controller and Sega Mega Drive control pad," Koizumi said.
They will retail in the UK for GBP39.99 each with local NZ prices for the controllers still to be confirmed.
The exact release date and price for the 'ExpansionPack' will be announced closer to the time, the company said.
