Nintendo has revealed the upcoming trio of games set to join the Nintendo Switch Online service. In celebration of ‘MAR10 Day’ on March 10, fans can look forward to Mario vs Donkey Kong for the Game Boy Advance, Mario’s Tennis for the Virtual Boy, and Mario Clash, also for the Virtual Boy.
Mario vs Donkey Kong acts as a sequel to the 1994 classic Donkey Kong, wherein Donkey Kong breaks into Mario’s toy factory with the intention of stealing the newly launched wind-up Mini Mario toys. This title is a puzzle platformer, reminiscent of its Game Boy predecessor, requiring players to navigate through various stages to assist Mario in reaching his ultimate goal. A remake of the game was released for the Switch in 2024, which was praised for its faithful adherence to the original but critiqued for lacking challenge.
On the Virtual Boy side of things, Mario Clash offers players a 3D twist on the original Mario Bros. concept. In this game, Mario must ascend a 99-floor building known as the Clash House Tower, defeating foes by stomping on Koopa Troopas and utilizing their thrown shells against various opponents.
Additionally, Mario’s Tennis, which debuted alongside the Virtual Boy in North America (though not in Japan), was the first to feature Mario and friends as playable characters in a tennis-themed setting. Players can choose from seven characters including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and more, each with unique stats for speed, power, and accuracy.
Subscription to the basic Nintendo Switch Online services provides access to NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color games, with pricing options set at £3.49/€3.99/$3.99 for a month, £6.99/€7.99/$7.99 for three months, and £17.99/€19.99/$19.99 for a full year. For those interested in the more extensive Expansion Pack, which includes access to Virtual Boy, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis titles, the annual cost is $49.99 / £34.99 / €39.99.
It’s noteworthy that playing Virtual Boy titles requires appropriate physical accessories, available through the My Nintendo Store. The main Virtual Boy accessory replica is priced at $100 / £67, while a less expensive cardboard viewer option is available for $25 / £17.
With these exciting releases, Nintendo continues to celebrate its rich gaming legacy while providing both nostalgic and new experiences for players.