Nintendo Switch Online

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This article is for emulation on the Nintendo Switch with Nintendo's official Nintendo Switch Online service. For online play see Connectivity and #Emulation of the service.

Nintendo Switch Online

Developer(s)	NERD iQue (N64) Panasonic Vietnam (GBA) M2 (GEN/MD)
Latest version	9.0.0 (NES) 9.0.0 (FC) 6.0.0 (SNES) 6.0.0 (SFC) 4.1.0 (GB INT) 4.1.0 (GB JP) 4.2.0 (N64 INT) 4.2.0 (N64 JP) 2.1.0 (N64 +18 JP) 2.1.0 (N64 +17 INT) 3.3.0 (GBA INT) 3.3.0 (GBA JP) 1.6.1 (GC) 1.2.0 (VB) 3.1.2 (GEN/MD)
Active	Yes
Platform(s)	Nintendo Switch iOS Android Nintendo Switch 2 Web browser
Architecture(s)	ARM
Emulates	Various
Compatibility	Varies by emulator
Accuracy	Varies by emulator
Website	American website Japanese website
BIOS/Keys	Varies by emulator

Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) is an official subscription service for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Working pretty much like Xbox Live or PlayStation Network, it provides the user with access to online game play (except for free-to-play games, which don't require NSO), cloud saves, and a compilation of retro games divided into multiple apps. A monthly or annual fee is required, with the prices varying by type of plan, and Nintendo Account type (individual or child). Some secondary services such as the Nintendo Music app for iOS, Android and PC (through web browsers) devices also requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to be used. Not every country has access to the service.

The retro game apps allow the player to emulate classic systems, offering a selection of titles added by Nintendo on a very irregular basis. Some systems are locked onto the more expensive Expansion Pack tier; notably, this includes the systems for which the emulators weren't solely developed by NERD. Since the debut of Nintendo Switch 2 in June 5, 2025; these apps are now properly defined as Nintendo Classics, representing an ecosystem of retro game compilations across first-party systems from the company (apps based on third-party systems are not affected by this change).

With the Nintendo Switch System Update v20.0.0, Nintendo introduced the Virtual Game Card concept, which allows the user to "borrow" software for 14 days between systems and child Nintendo Account set by a family member. However, the Nintendo Classics apps are not eligible for this function, likely to avoid Nintendo Switch Online paywall bypass.

Online subservices

Game Voucher

Users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership will be able to purchase a set of two vouchers that can be redeemed for a selection of downloadable Nintendo software. Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch Online service would be retained on the Switch 2, although the "Game Voucher" service will not be available for Switch 2-exclusive titles.[1]

GameChat

A new VoIP service known as "GameChat" will be available with the Switch 2, which will allow users to conduct voice chats and screen sharing with friends. GameChat will also support video calls using an optional webcam accessory. It is accessible via a "C" button on the right Joy-Con 2. However, chat will only work with an active paid Nintendo Online subscription.[2]

List of emulators

Main article: Emulators on Nintendo Switch

Main article: Emulators on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo's first-party emulators for the Nintendo Classics game apps. All of these were developed primarily, if not entirely, by Nintendo European Research & Development; any relevant co-developers are mentioned in the description.

L-CLASSICS (Nintendo Entertainment System & Super Nintendo Entertainment System): Based on the Kachikachi emulator that NERD originally created for the NES Classic dedicated console, with the obvious addition of SNES emulation. It's certainly not the most accurate emulation of either of these systems compared to the many third-party options, but it works well enough for all of the games offered on Nintendo Classics, and the SNES app has a surprisingly top-notch netplay system.
Hiyoko (Game Boy/Game Boy Color): Unlike most of the Nintendo Classics emulators, Hiyoko seems to have been made from the ground up specifically for the service. It can only run games in Color mode and doesn't support any Super Game Boy enhancements, but otherwise it's very accurate and even does a good job of replicating the less common hardware for games that need it (e.g. the gyro sensor for Kirby's Tilt 'n' Tumble).

Expansion Pack only

Hovercraft (Nintendo 64): Co-developed with iQue, and even based on iQue's notoriously imperfect N64 emulator for the Wii U, Hovercraft has a rather sour reputation as the most flawed emulator that Classics has to offer. Post-release updates have done a lot to improve it, but it's still not ideal and continues to draw unfavorable comparisons (deserved or not) to NST's much-beloved N64 emulator for the Wii. Also, some features are Switch 2-exclusive due to processing power requirements.
Sloop (Game Boy Advance): Co-developed with one of Panasonic's internal software teams, Sloop is accurate enough to pass the AGB Test Cartridge hardware test (something many third-party GBA emulators couldn't do at the time of Sloop's initial release), and can even replicate the rumble feature of the GameCube's Game Boy Player for titles that supported it.
Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics (GameCube): The GameCube games for Nintendo Classics are only playable on the Switch 2, most likely due to processing power requirements. There's a strong chance that it's based on Hagi, the same GameCube/Wii emulator that was used most prominently in the limited-edition Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics (Virtual Boy): Unlike GameCube, Virtual Boy games are playable on both Switch systems. Due to the Virtual Boy having no region lock by default, players have the benefit of playing games that were not available in their region back then, including games that were not released in cartridge format. The emulator does a very well job on pretty much everything that is not on 3D graphics department.
m2engage (Sega Genesis): Co-developed with the venerable M2, which has a long history of making first-party emulators and retro re-releases, especially for Sega. The Genesis games offered on Switch Online are mostly the same ones you'll find on other widely-available Genesis collections, but the Switch Online app is arguably the best official way to play most of them.

Controllers

For subscribers, Nintendo sells controllers based on the consoles that are available on the service (except for handheld systems). On Switch 1 and 2, these controllers can be used only for the app corresponding with the system that is played. Some of the general features are:

All controllers can be connected to certain devices through Bluetooth (4.0 or higher), some of them can also be used through their USB-C connector and can even be used with common PC games through Steam;
Most controllers behave the same as Switch Pro Controller, besides limitations on the number of buttons that are available for each design;
All controllers had extra buttons which are exclusive to functions related to the system (HOME, Capture, Pair / Sync and C);
A maximum of 4 controllers can be sold per Nintendo Account;
It can be sold only for selected users who have an active NSO subscription. These controllers are not available to deliver for every NSO user around the world (Nintendo of America sells them only to users in the US and Canada, but not to Brazil, Mexico, and other countries from the Americas; for Japan, the player must be an actual resident of the country), forcing the user to reach secondary markets for additional controllers and/or variants (e.g.: eBay).

Nintendo Entertainment System Controller (HAC-033 [left, player 1] and HAC-034 [right, player 2]): Sold only for users of the NES NC app. It is based on the original NES controller but behaves like a Joy-Con and is always sold in a pair. Can only be charged through the Joy-Con rails.
Family Computer Controller (HAC-035 [left, player I] and HAC-036 [right, player II]): Sold only in Japan. It is based on the original Famicom controllers and like the NES version, it behaves like a Joy-Con and is sold in a pair. The second controller (right Joy-Con) also supports the Mic input used on several games (The Mystery of Atlantis).
Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller / Super Famicom Controller (HAC-042): Based on the original SNES controllers. All regional variants behave the same.
Virtual Boy for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch (HAC‐061): Not a controller, but rather, a special, non-electronic dock that is used to play Virtual Boy games. It is a replica of the original stand which also comes with red lens to attach almost every model of the system (except the Nintendo Switch Lite) into it. Despite its hefty price, it is not required to play with it, but might provide a better visual experience in certain games, such as Red Alarm.
Virtual Boy (Cardboard Model) for Nintendo Switch 2/Nintendo Switch (HAC‐047): A cheaper version of the dock mentioned earlier, where it functions similar to the cardboard lens from Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. As the name implies, it is a dock made of cardboard, which also does use the same lens as the Nintendo Labo ones. Unlike this one, however, the player must play with the Joy-Cons attached to it all the time, which may cause arm fatigue. Again, it is not really required, but might provide a better visual experience in certain games.
Nintendo 64 Controller (HAC‐043): Modeled after the original Nintendo 64 controller. All regional variants behave the same. Unlike the original, it comes with a built-in Rumble function for games that had support for Rumble Pak.
Nintendo GameCube Controller (BEE-021): Modeled after the original GameCube controller, and currently, the only one who is not compatible with the original Switch. The controller features additional buttons that are not included in the original, including the respective reprints for both Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Original GameCube controllers (plus the respective Smash Bros. reprints) can be used as substitutes for the GameCube Controller inside the GameCube app through the official Nintendo GameCube Controller Adapter sold for Wii U and Nintendo Switch.
SEGA Genesis Control Pad / SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad (HAC‐045): Sold only for users of the Genesis / Mega Drive app outside Japan. The design is based on the original Control Pad for the Genesis / Mega Drive with 3-button support.
SEGA Mega Drive Fighting Pad 6B (HAC‐046): Sold only for users of the Mega Drive app inside Japan. Its design is based on the Fighting Pad 6B (known as 6 Button Control Pad), although it is based on the original design sold for Japan and Asian countries, which is optimized for smaller hands.

All of these controllers works as intended on Nintendo Switch 2.^[1] However, the NES and Famicom versions of the controllers must be charged through external methods only, as the system does not allow direct Joy-Con controllers from the original Nintendo Switch due to pinout differences.

Game Injection

CaVE Database Manager: A tool that allows the user to create additional entries from external ROMs (or a whole new database) stored in the microSD card. It is not recommended to use pre-made packs that cover a whole romset due to the high chance of the app itself crashing (loading too many entries at once) and the possibility of duplicated entries through emulator updates (e.g.: Internal entry from the app conflicting with a user-made entry). To load your custom entries on Nintendo Switch emulators, you can do:
- Yuzu and any of its forks: Copy the database folder of the desired app to the folder where belongs your virtual SD card, such as C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\yuzu\sdmc\atmosphere\content\
- Ryujinx and any of its forks: Copy the database folder of the desired app to the Ryujinx\portable\mods\contents\ folder. This method assumes that you're using Ryujinx in "Portable" mode.

Emulation of the service

Main article: Nintendo Switch emulators#Hardware features and peripherals

Main article: Nintendo Switch 2 emulators#Hardware features and peripherals

Main article: Preservation projects#Private platform servers

There was a service called Raptor Network and yuzu emulator once offered beta support for Raptor Network. However, this feature was later removed.
On July 21, 2024, the "NVNProgram" claimed that a custom Ryujinx build can connect to Nintendo Switch Online for Splatoon 3 matches, supposedly for the first time.[3]
On November 5, 2024, Nintendo confirmed that the service and its apps would be playable in Nintendo Switch 2 through backwards compatibility[4], including its use on native games. This indirectly also confirms the support of Nintendo Accounts in the system.

So in summary, there is no preservation project for emulating Nintendo Switch Online private platform server service, or any kind of implementation on the emulator side (Nintendo Switch emulators#Hardware features and peripherals, Nintendo Switch 2 emulators#Hardware features and peripherals) to connect official servers at the moment. Having said that, emulators of the Nintendo Switch Online service are supported by Ryujinx and yuzu, including their respective forks.