10 Best Games on Nintendo Switch Online (October 2026)

Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario 64 offer the best platforming adventures on Nintendo Switch Online, while Golden Sun and Ocarina of Time will entertain you with their captivating stories. 

For strictly puzzle-solving challenges, I recommend Tetris 99 and other genres summarized in the list of the best games on Nintendo Switch Online below.

What is Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online is the subscription service for accessing hundreds of Nintendo games, including retro ones from previous Nintendo consoles like the NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, and many more.

Best Games on Nintendo Switch Online

To get started on your Nintendo online co-op and competitive journey, I recommend whipping up the best games on Nintendo Switch Online below.

10. Super Mario 64

The graphics in Super Mario 64 might be a little shabby by today’s standards, but that’s the point, seeing how far the series has come, but frankly, the Nintendo console in general. This was Super Mario’s first venture into the 3D space, and it sure has made a huge difference in how we experience platforming today.

Rather than scroll left to right, you could now explore magical worlds in all directions. A neat feature introduced in this game was Mario’s ability to jump through the pictures hung on the walls, and this created a portal through which you could quickly move from one magical world to another.

9. New Pokemon Snap

New Pokemon Snap is a whole lot more recent, which means far more detailed and vibrant visuals. The colors of the different Pokemon species, wandering off in their habitat brings the creatures and world to life, and that’s vital to the game’s main mechanic of taking pictures of Pokemon on the move.

There are some pretty unique and impressive motions you can capture of the Pokemon jumping and flying around. Some are flawless, others have a unique angle. Take your notebook as well and scribble the observations you see, like some of the Pokemon and vegetation that appear to have a special glow.

8. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!

The minigames in WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania are ridiculous, no one is arguing with that, but that’s the whole point. They are a quick distraction, barely taking minutes before you move on to the next game. And there are over 200 wacky minigames here. So, you should be pretty occupied, at least for a while.

At the end of a series of minigames is a boss you have to beat to move on to the next stage. And that’s pretty much it, a series of simple but hilarious variety of minigames that don’t waste your time.

7. The Legends of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

For comparison of the first games to venture into the 3D space, you can check out The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The role-playing gaming genre also needed this revolutionary step up to explore the Kingdom of Hyrule without any limits. 

Link travels across space and time to defeat Ganondorf. He masters different weapons and uses various items against formidable bosses and in solving brilliant puzzles. All the while, you enjoy one of the most engaging stories across the Zelda series.

6. Gunstar Heroes

Gunstar Heroes made headlines once it joined the best games on Nintendo Switch Online. Even now, the game’s run and gun system remains one of the most replayable gems, thanks to the flexible weapon experimentation that you can easily mix and match. 

It could get frustrating when you were so far ahead in a level, and then one mistake sends you back to the start. And yet, you find yourself heading back in, swearing to make it even farther. It’s intense, challenging, and full of bosses that will test your nerves.

5. Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid: Zero Mission has a spectacular retro vibe, but nothing about its levels is retro. This is a game that has inspired so many Metroidvania games, initiating the idea behind interconnected mazes and plenty of secrets stacked in newly unlocked stages. 

Your traversal and combat then enrich your experiences, giving you a variety of abilities and items to fine-tune. Here, you’re given zip lines and the Morph Ball launcher, as well as lots of enemies and bosses before the Mother Brain finale. 

4. Super Mario Bros. 3

Even in 1990, when Super Mario Bros. 3 launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), you had so much to do. Super Mario has always been on top of its game like that. In this platforming adventure, you explore eight worlds, each filled with its distinct secrets, enemies, and abilities to discover.

Mario is multi-talented, able to turn invisible, unleash fireballs on enemies, swim, fly, and more. But it’s all a steady progressive process to realize Mario’s fullest potential in preparation for the takedown of Bowser and his airships.

3. Tetris 99

Did you know that there was a Tetris battle royale? Yup, Tetris 99, with 99 players competing simultaneously for the top spot. Tetris itself is already super addictive and also strategically challenging to get to the highest levels possible. And now, with the additional pressure of 99 other players, you’ll be at the mercy of pressure from all sides, with the slightest mistakes costing you the final win.

2.  Golden Sun

Fantasy role-playing games have come a long way since the days of Golden Sun. Heading back to it will be reminiscing about the good memories of the captivating stories, random encounters, and retro JRPG gameplay. It did have a variety of weapons and elemental powers, which you could combine and optimize.

Your spells are not only combat instruments against attacks but also used in solving puzzles. It’s your means of getting around the world, with some pretty fascinating otherworldly ideas of how you interact with and manipulate the environment.

1. Super Mario World

Super Mario World has the cleanest visuals of the retro bunch, boasting sharp details and colors. It’s also packed with a lot of content variety. Mario and Luigi arrive in Dinosaur Land and meet Yoshi, who also becomes a playable character. Your skills and abilities are varied as a result, with fun additions like flying using the Cape Feather.