One of the biggest events of this gaming generation was the release of the Nintendo Switch, and the console continues to impress audiences in exciting ways. Nintendo’s newest console has significantly grown since its debut and there are some exceptional new features, like the Nintendo Switch Online service, that add much more to the experience.
Nintendo Switch Online is a satisfying way to play tons of classic titles, but there’s already been tons of debate over the library of games that have made the cut. This conversation becomes even more interesting when the different regional releases are examined. There are actually a number of older games that have made their way over to Nintendo Switch Online, albeit only for the Japanese market.
10 Adventures Of Lolo 2 Improves On The Cute Puzzle Formula
Nintendo Switch Online allows audiences from all regions to have fun with HAL’s advanced puzzle series, The Adventures of Lolo, but only those that are in Japan can enjoy the sequel. It's nice that there's some Lolo representation across the board, but the sequel is largely superior and makes a better inclusion. The Adventures of Lolo 2 may not be the most iconic or important NES game, but it has its passionate fans, and the adorable art and character designs go a long way to help it stand out among the many other quirky character-based puzzlers. Lolo deserves more love.
9 Famicom Wars Marks The Start Of A Prolific Strategy Series
Famicom Wars kicks off Nintendo's enduring strategy series that's effectively evolved with them through the different gaming generations, in both a console and handheld capacity. Famicom Wars is the progenitor, but it's still incredibly advanced and feels modern in its design. The series is set to get a modern remake on the Switch, filling in some of the gaps in the series and creating a greater reason why Famicom Wars would benefit from a multi-region release. At least for now, its release remains in Japan, just like when it originally debuted.
8 The NES’ Joy Mech Fight Is A Fun, Obscure Robot Fighter
Even those who despise the fighting genre will be able to find something to like in the Nintendo Entertainment System's Joy Mech Fight. This robot fighter has character, and each individual robot feels distinct, but it also just looks gorgeous, and there's such charm to the backgrounds of stages and the color palette that's used.
It's easy to see Joy Mech Fighter as a precursor to other Nintendo fighters like Arms. Joy Mech Fighter is advanced for its time and remains a joy to play, especially for those who want something a little outside of the box and not so violent.
7 Fire Emblem: Mystery Of The Emblem Begins The Series’ SNES Supremacy
There are many Nintendo franchises that didn't find audiences outside of Japan until decades later. Fire Emblem now has international acclaim, but many of the earlier entries, like the Super Nintendo titles, still haven't received proper English releases. Fire Emblem: Mystery Of The Emblem is an ambitious release that features everyone's favorite swordsman Marth as he takes on the Shadow Dragon. This game has tremendous scope and speaks to what can be accomplished in the storytelling of a SNES RPG. It'd be an endeavor to properly localize, but one that wouldn't go unappreciated.
6 Smash Ping Pong Is A Masterpiece In Style And Execution
A ping pong game doesn't seem like it'd be revelatory or a big loss to not be included, which only becomes a testament to the exceptional quality of Konami's Smash Ping Pong for the Famicom Disk System. It may just be ping pong, but the game pushes the limits of the graphical capabilities of the time and pulls off 3D in an impressive manner. It's a major step up from Pong, but also a helpful precursor for what Nintendo would go on to become Mario Tennis or any of the Wii motion-controlled efforts. It does a lot with a little.
5 Custom Robo And Its Successor Bring Fast-Paced Mecha Combat To The N64
It's exciting that Nintendo 64 games have now been added to Nintendo Switch Online. The game libraries between regions when it comes to Nintendo 64 games are nearly identical, but Japan provides both Custom Robo and the updated Custom Robo V2, a very popular series of mecha fighters. Custom Robo's footprint is bigger in Japan, but there's never been more of an appetite for retro robot fighting games.
Fans have been teased with doses of Custom Robo in the past in Super Smash Bros., but it'd be nice to get to experience them. These Nintendo 64 games have held up exceptionally well.
4 The Sega Genesis’ Puyo Puyo Is An All-Time Puzzle Classic
The puzzle genre is fascinating because the differences between games like Tetris, Columns, or Puyo Puyo can be so tiny yet so large. Puyo Puyo started as a Sega classic that leans into cute anime aesthetics. Genesis titles are a recent Nintendo Switch Online addition, and so far, Puyo Puyo is the only Japan-exclusive game. Granted, Puyo Puyo was localized as Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, which is available on the other regions of Nintendo Switch Online. This may seem like splitting hairs, but plenty of audiences would like to experience the original rather than the Sonic makeover version.
3 The Framework For Modern Fighters Can Be Seen In The NES’ Yie Ar Kung-Fu
When people think about iconic fighting games, it's often Street Fighter, Virtua Fighter, and Mortal Kombat that come to mind. However, Konami was way ahead of the curve with the original Nintendo fighter, Yie Ar Kung-Fu, which helped establish the foundation of gameplay for modern fighting titles. The title's larger impact in Japan explains its exclusion elsewhere. However, audiences have never been hungrier for obscure games. The argument can be made that there's even more value in putting Yie Ar Kung-Fu on the North American and European Nintendo Switch Online markets so that new people can experience this gem.
2 Clu Clu Land: Welcome To New Cluclu Land Improves Upon Its Predecessor
The original Clu Clu Land is available on Nintendo Switch Online outside of Japan, but its superior revision, Clu Clu Land: Welcome to New Cluclu Land is regionally locked away. This Nintendo Entertainment System title is an amped-up version of the Famicom Disk System's more obscure VS. Clu Clu Land. There's an innocently entertaining story at play in these games as the underwater kingdom of Clu Clu Land faces theft and peril until the series' heroine steps in. More people deserve to be able to experience this version of the game.
1 Shin Megami Tensei And Its Sequel Are Standout Super Nintendo Experiences
The Shin Megami Tensei RPG series took some time to properly make its way overseas. Fans worldwide would be happy to check out the two premiere entries in the series for the Super Nintendo, but it's understandable as to why the games only made the cut in Japan and not elsewhere. These early Shin Megami Tensei games focus on first-person dungeon exploration as the player encounters demons and can decide if they want to recruit them to their party. The protagonist learns that they're a Messiah and are meant to eradicate Tokyo Millennium's demons.
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