10 Best Games on Nintendo Switch Online (May 2026)

Nintendo Switch Online has been a game-changer for online multiplayer. It allows faraway friends and strangers to team up or compete in hundreds of Nintendo games. But perhaps most remarkable is the number of classic games you’ll find added to the subscription platform.

Super Mario, Kirby, Metroid, Golden Sun, and any other Nintendo cult-classic you can think of are most likely available to play on Nintendo Switch Online. The question is, which are the best games on Nintendo Switch Online this month?

What is Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online is a membership plan you can subscribe to monthly (or annually) and enjoy access to hundreds of Nintendo games, including retro and modern titles. It also allows bridges geographical boundaries, allowing gamers to connect online globally.

Best Games on Nintendo Switch Online

Take a trip down memory lane, experience what it was like in the ‘80s through to the early ‘00s, with the best games on Nintendo Switch Online below.

10. Super Mario 64

It was a game-changer for Super Mario 64 to move to 3D, marking a historic moment for the series. Even though the visuals are still a little muddy, it’s still a pretty content-heavy experience that will have you invested for hours. 

Mario is pretty versatile in his movement and combat. He can swim, stomp on enemies, and even perform backward somersaults. Marry that with traversing diverse regions, from lava lakes to deadly dungeons, and you have an engaging platformer shot from decades back.

9. New Pokemon Snap

It’s such a dreamy, whimsical world that New Pokemon Snap lets you explore freely. Full of life and bright natural flora and fauna that warms the heart. But of course, you’ll likely be most motivated to take snapshots of as many rare Pokemon species as you can, only so you can boast about your collection to friends and other Pokemon photographers worldwide.

8. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!

For many gamers, WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania will be a little out of their usual palette of go-tos. But it’s a series that manages to put together hundreds of hilarious minigames that fill your lazy afternoons with warmth and laughter. 

Over 200 wacky minigames are featured here. And they vary so much, from traditional sports games like hitting a baseball to more out-of-the-box ideas like competing to pick a disembodied nose.

7. The Legends of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda hasn’t always been the jaw-dropping open-world adventure game we know of today. It has humble beginnings that veterans will remember hazily. While not all old Zelda games are worth replaying, Ocarina of Time really set a standard for exploration. 

Especially with the move to 3D visuals, the Kingdom of Hyrule became more fleshed out with lots of content. The “never running out of things to do” all began with the random encounters and clever puzzles set by Ocarina of Time.

6. Gunstar Heroes

It’s a pretty colorful side-scroller than Gunstar Heroes portrays. So much so that it might appear like an exciting platformer, but it’s the steamy action that gets you stimulated. So many enemies and bosses come at you as you push forward, drawing closer and closer to taking down the powerful dictator who’s kidnapped and enslaved your twin brother.

5. Metroid: Zero Mission

Metroid: Zero Mission ranks in fifth place among the best games on Nintendo Switch Online for multiple reasons. Its level design was most impressive, redesigned from the original Metroid adventure. 

You navigate mazes that went on to inspire the Metroidvania sub-genre, discovering game-changing abilities and powers, from the famous Morph Ball to zip lines, and lots of unexpected enemy encounters, too.

4. Super Mario Bros. 3

The Super Mario series has always set the bar for sidescrolling level design. And Super Mario Bros. 3 is simply one of the pinnacles of where it all began. Even when it’s just moving from the left to the right of the screen, you encounter so many secrets that create diverging paths.

You navigate eight vast worlds that switch up mechanics, unlocking different Mario forms, from his familiar swimming type to flying and turning invisible. It’s always a journey of discovery and adapting to the clever puzzles and level design each screen brings.

3. Tetris 99

Tetris is addictive, for sure. But there are only so many rounds I can play before switching to something else. But Tetris 99 lengthens your gaming sessions with the steamy competitive rounds you play. 

It’s essentially a battle royale, where 99 players compete until there’s one player left standing. Imagine being crowned the winner? Effectively, meaning that you’re the fastest and most strategic player in a popular game that just about everyone worldwide knows how to play.

2.  Golden Sun

Before RPGs were as massive as Elden Ring, they began with Golden Sun’s humble start. A sidescrolling playthrough, where you control the main character and progress their skills and abilities across an engrossing story. 

It’s quite a remarkable beginning of one of gaming’s biggest genres because of the versatility in weapons and abilities. In addition to swords, you have magical powers, too, manipulating fire, water, wind, and earth. Plus, you can mix and match your physical and magical abilities to enjoy the thrill of unleashing colorful effects on enemies.

It’s interesting because magic is tied to the story, too, where you’re fighting to control the power of alchemy and save humanity from darkness.

1. Super Mario World

In terms of visual polish and design, Super Mario World takes the crown home. This isn’t just the best Super Mario game, but placing first among the best games on Nintendo Switch Online. But, the gameplay, too, is deep and thrilling.

You ride on Yoshi’s back, diversifying your abilities. And discover the power of the Cape Feather in verticality. Meanwhile, you explore a whole new region called Dinosaur Land, where you’ll fight dozens of Bowser’s minions, as well as discover tucked-away secrets across varied level design.