Nintendo has recently delighted Switch Online subscribers by adding three classic SNES titles, including a remarkable debut for Mario & Wario in the US. Originally a 1993 puzzle-platformer from Game Freak, the studio behind Pokémon, this game surprisingly featured English text for decades despite never seeing a Western release until now.
Mario & Wario offers a unique gameplay experience, requiring mouse-like controls. Players guide Mario, who has a bucket stuck on his head courtesy of Wario, through 100 challenging levels with the help of a forest fairy. On the Nintendo Switch 2, players can use a Joy-Con on its side for intuitive control, mimicking a traditional mouse.
Among the other additions to Nintendo Switch Online are Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind and Fatal Fury Special. Bubsy introduces players to the titular wisecracking bobcat, while Fatal Fury Special is a fighting game that expands the roster with characters like Axel Hawk, previously a CPU-only boss.
Further enhancing the Switch Online + Expansion Pack, Nintendo announced that the Virtual Boy platform will join on February 17, though a specific accessory is necessary for play. Earlier this year, a collection of GameCube games also became available to Switch 2 owners with the Expansion Pack. A basic Switch Online membership costs $20 annually ($35 for families), while the Expansion Pack tier is $50 annually ($80 for families).