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To play classic NES games on Nintendo Switch 2, open Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu, choose Nintendo Classics, download Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics, then open the app and select a game. You need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership on the Nintendo Account you use. A special wireless NES controller is optional.
What you need
- A Nintendo Switch 2 connected to the internet for initial setup.
- An active Nintendo Switch Online membership on the Nintendo Account you will use. Nintendo says classic games are available only to accounts with an active membership; the standard membership includes the NES library, so the Expansion Pack is not required just to play NES games. See Nintendo Support’s Nintendo Classics overview and FAQ.
- Enough console storage for the app. Nintendo eShop shows the download’s storage requirement, which may change as libraries grow.
Download the NES library and start a game
- Connect the console to the internet and open the Nintendo Switch Online icon from the HOME Menu. Make sure the Nintendo Account in use has an active membership.
- Choose Nintendo Classics, select the NES library, and download Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics. Nintendo’s startup instructions for classic games describe this process.
- Open the NES app, choose a game, and follow its on-screen prompts. Nintendo says single-player games can be played in handheld, tabletop, or TV mode. Multiple players on one system use tabletop or TV mode with compatible controllers; the modes and player support depend on the game.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes. An active membership is required to access the NES collection. The standard Nintendo Switch Online membership includes NES, Super NES, and Game Boy libraries. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack adds other libraries, but is not necessary for NES games. The collections are membership access, not individual purchases: Nintendo says it has no plans to sell the classic games separately. For membership and access rules, see Nintendo Support’s FAQ and its offline-play guidance.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Fox™ - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Can you play NES games offline?
Yes, after downloading the library, but the console must connect to the internet at least once every seven consecutive days so Nintendo can verify that the membership is still active. If the membership expires or is not renewed, access to the games ends; saved data remains on the console.
Controllers and multiplayer
You do not need to buy a special controller. Use compatible controllers for the game and play mode you choose. Nintendo lists its wireless Nintendo Entertainment System Controller as compatible with Switch 2 and presents it as an optional accessory for the NES collection. The controller’s availability can vary by region and retailer. Nintendo’s UK page says it will no longer offer the NES controller on Nintendo Store after mid-February 2027; that statement applies to Nintendo Store in the UK, not other regions or sellers. Check Nintendo UK’s controller page for its regional information.
#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
Nintendo lists rewind and online play with friends among the NES collection features. Online functions require internet access and an active membership; the collection’s online play is for playing with friends, not random matchmaking. Multiplayer availability also depends on the individual game. See Nintendo’s NES collection page for listed features.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect from the games
The app offers classic NES games, but it should not be treated as the full original NES catalog. Nintendo does not publish a fixed schedule for additions, and its collections continue to grow. Its US product page describes more than 100 NES and Super NES games combined; that is not an NES-only count. Nintendo also notes that performance and presentation may differ from the original versions. See the collection listing and Nintendo’s FAQ for current service details.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Rank #3
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
Rank #2
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
