Paying for Nintendo Switch Online does more than allow you to play online. The subscription offers a few exclusive perks as well, including free access to classic NES games. The online service launched with 20 different NES titles, and three more have already been added. Another six are on the way.

Most of Nintendo's largest franchises had their start on the NES, and several of those games will launch with Switch Online. Paying for Nintendo's online subscription nets you games like Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario Bros. You'll also get some of Nintendo's earliest sports games as well, including Soccer, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Pro Wrestling, and Baseball. The list of 20 games that launch with Switch Online can be found on Nintendo's website, and we've also outlined them below.

Switch Online Launch Titles

After Switch Online's launch, Nintendo has regular updates scheduled to add more NES games to the service. NES Open Tournament Golf, Solomon's Key, and Super Dodge Ball were added in October. Metroid, Mighty Bomb Jack, and TwinBee will come to Switch in November 2018, and Adventures of Lolo, Ninja Gaiden, and Wario's Woods are scheduled for December 2018.

To help capture the experience of playing these classic titles, Nintendo is launching Switch Online member-exclusive Joy-Cons that are shaped like NES controllers. Each box comes with two controllers, as every NES title will support two-player co-op. In certain games where two player-controlled characters don't make sense, you can switch between who's controlling the game or the second player can use a hand-shaped cursor to point out hints and applaud certain actions. NES titles will also support Switch Online voice chat via Nintendo's smartphone app if you and your partner aren't in the same room.

Switch Online also offers a cloud saving feature, but only for certain games.

Switch Online is now available alongside system update 6.0. Memberships can be purchased for one, three, and 12 month increments for $4 / £3.50, $8 / £7, and $20 / £18 respectively.