NSO Daily Dose

Gamecube controller with Nintendo Gamecube - Nintendo Classics below it

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcaliber 2, and F-Zero GX will be launching on Nintendo Gamecube - Nintendo Classics for Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches June 5th!

Yes! Check the alt text for more information!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #15 Donkey Kong 64 (N64)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the N64 NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Rare), the publisher (Nintendo), the original release date (November 22, 1999 (NA)), and the NSO release date (April 1, 2025). Below is a tips section. "While it's commonly believed that DK 64 requires the Expansion Pak due to a memory leak issue, modern sources including 3D artist Mark Stevenson say it was required for the dynamic lighting. Throughout your journey, you'll be required to complete 2 arcade games. The first is Donkey Kong, but the second is Jetpac, Rare's first game from when they were called Ultimate Play The Game!” April fools ;)

NSO Daily Dose #15: Donkey Kong 64

Go bananas for bananas (and so many other collectibles) in this expansive Rare classic! Play as Donkey, Diddy, Tiny, Lanky and Chunky, utilizing all of their unique abilities to explore DK island and take down K. Rool! Available now for N64 NSO!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #14 Donkey Kong Jr. (NES)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the NES NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Nintendo R&D1/2), the publisher (Nintendo), the original release date (July 15, 1983 (JP)), and the NSO release date (May 15, 2019). Below is a tips section. "Climbing up two vines at once is faster than climbing up one vine. But sliding down one vine is faster than sliding down two at once! Switch vines to stay speedy! Based on information from Donkey Kong Country, DK Jr. is the father of today’s Donkey Kong. But how old does that make Mario…?"

NSO Daily Dose #14: Donkey Kong Jr. (NES)

Mario may not be as nice as he seems, because he's captured Donkey Kong for presumably nefarious purposes! As the titular Jr., it's up to you to rescue your dad over 4 looping levels! Climb vines, jump on springs, evade electricity, and unlock DK's cage!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #13 Custom Robo V2 (N64)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the N64 NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Noise), the publisher (Nintendo), the original release date (November 10, 2000 (JP)), and the NSO release date (July 15, 2022 (JP)). Below is a tips section. "The Custom Robo release on the GameCube was actually the 3rd game to release in Japan. Playing this game will help you track the roots that were iterated on in that release! Custom Robo V2 features tag-team battles - team up with a partner to take down your opponents!"

NSO Daily Dose #13: Custom Robo V2 (N64)

In this sequel to cult classic Custom Robo, it's your turn to shine when you win the illustrious Ray Mk-II in a contest! Just because you have the fanciest tech doesn't mean you know how to use it—train up in the campaign and triumph over your opponents!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #12 Super Earth Defense Force (SNES)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the SNES NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Jaleco), the publisher (Jaleco / City Connection), the original release date (October 25, 1991 (JP)), and the NSO release date (September 5, 2019). Below is a facts section. "Despite the big “E.D.F.” on the title screen, this game is completely unrelated to the ongoing series E.D.F. Earth Defense Force. You won’t find any alien bugs in this one! Pressing X switches to a slower movement speed, which you’ll need for a bit more finesse in tight spots. Pressing A changes the formation of your satellite ships, which might be helpful depending on the current enemy formation!"

NSO Daily Dose #12: Super Earth Defense Force (SNES)

In this port of an arcade classic shoot-em-up, equip yourself with one of eight weapons and fight the Azyma Empire! If you manage to dodge your enemies' shots with just 3 hits before you explode, you'll be sure to make it through all 6 stages!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #11 Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the SNES NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Nintendo R&D 3), the publisher (Nintendo), the original release date (October 24, 1994 (US)), and the NSO release date (September 5, 2019). Below is a tips section. "Super Punch Out!! barely had a presence in Japan. The game released 1994 in the US, but was only available in Japan through the Nintendo Power service’s rewritable cartridges in 1998. A 2 player mode was discovered in 2022. Hold Y+R on P2 and press Start on P1 when on the title screen. Then on the character info screen, hold B+Y on P2, then Start on P1. "

NSO Daily Dose #11: Super Punch-Out!!

FIGHT!!
This follow-up to Punch-Out!! on NES features new characters with huge personalities! Land repeated blows to charge up your meter, then make your comeback with strong special moves. Do you have what it takes to become the WVBA Champion?
KNOCK-OUT!!

The four Koei Tecmo strategy games are now available, and Super Soccer has left NSO. Note that Super Soccer will be removed if your system is connected to the internet when you launch SNES NSO regardless of whether you download the update.

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #10 Super Soccer (SNES)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the SNES NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Human Entertainment), the publisher (Human Entertainment (JP) / Nintendo (US)), the original release date (December 13, 1991 (JP)), and the NSO release date (From September 5, 2019 to March 27, 2025). Below is a tips section. "Super Soccer has been the first and only game to be removed from Nintendo Switch Online, likely due to rights issues with modern publisher Spike Chunsoft - who only has this game on NSO. Super Soccer is a sequel to Japan-only PC Engine game Formation Soccer. It spawned many sequels (3 of them on the SNES), but Super is the only one which came to the west. "

NSO Daily Dose #10: Super Soccer (SNES)

Make your last goals now, because Super Soccer leaves Nintendo Switch online...today! Human Entertainment's attempt at a realistic soccer simulator will have you passing and shooting your way to success—give it a go before it's gone!

Are you surprised? NSO Daily Dose is a project covering all aspects of Nintendo Switch Online, regardless of region. If you weren't aware, downloading the JPN version of the NSO system apps from a JPN eShop account and starting them with your NSO-subscribed account works perfectly!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #9 Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade (GBA)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the GBA NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Intelligent Systems), the publisher (Nintendo), the original release date (March 29, 2002 (JP)), and the NSO release date (June 23, 2023 (JP)). Below is a tips section. "The Binding Blade has never been localized for a western audience, so the translated name initially seems to be fan-made. However, the name actually comes from the 2003 USA Fire Emblem website! While the language barrier can be an issue with JRPG titles, it’s still worth giving this one a shot—it was specifically designed to be a bit easier to get into than other early Fire Emblem titles. "

NSO Daily Dose #9: Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade (GBA)

This entry reinvented the FE series to skew a bit younger with a simpler narrative and energetic character Roy. Because of his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee and the success of Advance Wars, the series came west with the next title!

Nintendo Direct on 3/27/2025 at 7 AM PT/10 AM ET

Nintendo has announced a Nintendo Direct for tomorrow, March 27th 2025 focused on Nintendo Switch!

Do you think they will have any NSO announcements in store? What are you hoping for?

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #8 Extreme-G (N64)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the N64 NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Probe Entertainment), the publisher (Acclaim Entertainment), the original release date (October 27, 1997 (NA)), and the NSO release date (April 24, 2024). Below is a tips section. "The main campaign mode “Extreme Contest” initially appears to be single player only, but that’s not the case. Just hit Start on a second controller while choosing your bike to challenge the mode with a friend! Like many games at the time, there are many unlockable tracks and bikes to discover, but if that’s not your jam, you can unlock it all from the get-go by inputting code 81GGD5 in the options menu."

NSO Daily Dose #8: Extreme-G (N64)

No rules apply in this no-holds-barred, post-apocalyptic racer with high speeds and deadly weapons. Unlock tracks and bikes in Extreme Contest mode, then bring them to battle in single-player and multiplayer races and arenas!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #7 Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge (GB)". To the left shows the cover art for the game and the SNES NSO icon. Below are four screenshots. Below the cover art are the developer (Minokuchi Engineering), the publisher (Capcom / Nintendo), the original release date (July 26, 1991 (JPN)), and the NSO release date (June 7, 2024). Below is a tips section. "Dr. Wily’s Revenge is notoriously difficult. In fact, if you game over between fighting the Mega Man 2 Robot Masters and Enker, you lose the Mega Man 2 special weapons! Thunder Beam beats Ice Man, Ice Slasher beats Fire Man, and Fire Storm beats Cut Man. Elec Man seems to generally be considered the easiest, so take him down with the Mega Buster!"

NSO Daily Dose #7: Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge (GB)

In this hard-as-rock re-imagining of Mega Man 1 and Mega Man 2, fight a selection of Robot Masters from both games as Dr. Wily plots your downfall with a new "Mega Man Killer." Jump and shoot your way through bite-sized levels to save the day!

As a sidenote, we're workshopping the template for systems with horizontal boxarts (SNES, N64, GBA) to create the best viewing experience. Your patience is appreciated - I hope today's DD isn't too cramped!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #6 Donkey Kong Country (SNES)". Below shows the cover art for the game, the SNES NSO icon, and four screenshots. A section titled "Quick Facts" reads "Developer: Rare Publisher: Nintendo Players: 2 (Alternating) Genre: Platformer Donkey Kong Country released globally on 11/18/1994, and came to NSO 7/15/2020! Despite the game’s impressive graphics for the SNES, no extra processing chips are on the cart! Stages have anywhere from 0-5 bonus rooms. An exclamation point on the level name means you got them all!"

NSO Daily Dose #6: Donkey Kong Country (SNES)

In this SNES platformer with revolutionary graphics, Rare took the beloved Donkey Kong, redesigned him for a new generation with prerendered sprites, and threw him into a new world filled with traps and secrets - not to mention new buddy Diddy Kong!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #5 Donkey Kong Jr. Math (NES)". Below shows the cover art for the game, the NES NSO icon, and four screenshots. A section titled "Quick Facts" reads "Developer: Nintendo R&D 2 Publisher: Nintendo Players: 2 (Simultaneous) Genre: Edutainment/Platformer Donkey Kong Jr. Math first released in Japan 12/12/1983, and came west Summer 1986. It released on NSO 7/4/2024! DK Jr. Math was supposed to be the first in a trilogy of DK Jr. educational titles—but it sold so poorly that the idea was completely scrapped. Sometimes it’s worth it to use nonoptimal operators when they’re in an inconvenient location for your opponent. Use strategy AND math!"

NSO Daily Dose #5: Donkey Kong Jr. Math (NES)

In one of the earliest attempts at making an educational console game, control Donkey Kong Jr. as he does his homework and solves various math problems. Solve math problems yourself in +−×÷ Exercise, or compete against a friend in Calculate mode!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #4 The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis)". Below shows the cover art for the game, the Genesis NSO icon, and four screenshots. A section titled "Quick Facts" reads "Developer and Publisher: Sega Players: 1 Genre: Hack and Slash The Revenge of Shinobi first released on Genesis December 2, 1989, and came to NSO on June 27, 2023. The face on the title screen used to be modelled after actor Sonny Chiba, but in modern releases it’s Tsuyoshi Matsuoka, a programmer at M2 that directed the Virtual Console release on Wii! It’s easy to miss the double jump — press the jump button again once you’ve hit the very height of your jump!"

NSO Daily Dose #4: The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis)

After the first Shinobi's frenetic arcade pace, this release gets a bit more methodical with an eye for the home market. That doesn't mean it's easy—you'll be jumping, throwing, and slicing for your life in this tough-as-nails hack and slash!

Boxart for the games acknowledged in the post

New additions are coming to Nintendo Switch Online! 4 cult classic strategy RPGs are being added to SNES NSO: Nobunaga’s Ambition, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Lord of Darkness, Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV, and Uncharted Waters: New Horizons will be available on March 28th!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #3 Double Dragon (NES)". Below shows the cover art for the game, the NES NSO icon, and four screenshots. A section titled "Quick Facts" reads "Developer: Technōs Publisher: Taito/Tradewest/Arc System Works Players: 2 (Alternating) Genre: Beat ‘em up Double Dragon first released in arcades in 1987, then was ported to the NES in 1988. It was added to the NES NSO app 9/19/2018. The “Double” in the title refers to the 2 player gameplay, and the “Dragon” is a reference to Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon! The added versus mode is simultaneous play with more detailed graphics, so grab a friend and duke it out!"

NSO Daily Dose #3: Double Dragon (NES)

In this port of the arcade beat 'em up pioneer, control twins Billy and Jimmy as they fight back against the gang that kidnapped Marian. While the NES port might not be as advanced as the arcade game, it adds new areas and a versus match mode!

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #2 Densetsu no Stafy 3 (GBA)". Below shows the cover art for the game, the GBA NSO icon, and four screenshots. A section titled "Quick Facts" reads "Developer: TOSE Publisher: Nintendo Players: 2 (1P story, 2P minigames) Genre: Platformer — a marine platformer! Densetsu no Stafy 3 first released on GBA August 5th, 2024, only in Japan. The first time it was commercially available in the West was on NSO, on July 7, 2024! Features a special crossover character in Stage 8, where Starfy works with Wario to uncover treasure!"

NSO Daily Dose #2: Densetsu no Stafy 3 (GBA)

In Starfy's (still Japanese-exclusive) third outing on the GBA, you'll be "marine-platforming" through 10 watery stages to defeat Ogura once more, now with the help of Starfy's sister, Starly! Who knows who you'll meet along the way?

A banner reads "NSO Daily Dose #1 TwinBee (NES)". Below shows the cover art for TwinBee, the NES NSO icon, and four screenshots. A section titled "Quick Facts" reads "Publisher: Konami Players: 2 (Simultaneous) Genre: Fixed Shooter TwinBee first released in arcades in 1985, then was ported to the Famicom in 1986. It was added to the NES NSO app 11/14/2018. The six levels loop indefinitely, so it’s all about score! Shoot the clouds to get bells, then shoot the bells to get different power-ups! Twinbee was developed alongside Gradius so Konami could have a backup title in case one failed on the market."

NSO Daily Dose #1: TwinBee (NES)

TwinBee was originally released as an arcade game by Konami in 1985, but has been rereleased on multiple occasions. This top-down shooter was seen as a bit more cutesy than others upon its release, which gave it a unique visual identity - keeping it relevant today!