Nintendo Switch Online
- This article is for emulation on the Nintendo Switch with Nintendo's official Nintendo Switch Online service. For online play see Connectivity
| |
| Developer(s) | NERD |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 6.7.0 (NES) 3.7.0 (SNES) 3.6.0 (SFC) 1.6.0 (GB) 2.14.0 (N64) 1.0.0 (N64 +18) 1.5.0 (GBA) 2.6.0 (GEN) |
| Active | Yes |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
| 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 is an official subscription service for the Nintendo Switch. 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 aren't required), cloud saving, 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). Not every country has access to the service, such as Taiwan.
The retro game apps allow the player to emulate classic systems, using a selection of titles added by Nintendo on an irregular basis. Some systems are locked onto the Expansion Pack tier, which allows the player to play additional systems for a higher price.
List of emulators
The following list uses the internal title of the emulator and then the systems emulated:
- Nintendo Entertainment System (also Famicom Disk System)
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Nintendo 64 (exclusive to Expansion Pack)
- Game Boy (also Game Boy Color)
- Game Boy Advance (exclusive to Expansion Pack)
- Sega Genesis (exclusive to Expansion Pack)
Controllers
For subscribers, Nintendo sells controllers based on the consoles that are available on the service (except for handheld systems). On Switch, 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, and Pair / Sync);
- 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 (and an active NSO + Expansion Pack subscription for the systems locked to this tier). 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
- Sold only for users of the NES NSO app. It is based on the original NES controller but behaves like a JoyCon and is always sold in a pair. Can only be charged through the JoyCon rails. Serial numbers: HAC-033 (left, player 1) and HAC-034 (right, player 2);
- Family Computer Controller
- Sold only in Japan. It is based on the original Famicom controllers and like the NES version, it behaves like a JoyCon and is sold in a pair. The second controller (right JoyCon) also supports the Mic input used on several games (Atlantis no Nazo). Serial numbers: HAC-035 (left, player I) and HAC-036 (right, player II);
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller / Super Famicom Controller
- Based on the original SNES controllers. All regional variants behave the same. Serial number: HAC-042;
- Nintendo 64 Controller
- 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. Serial number: HAC‐043;
- SEGA Genesis Control Pad / SEGA Mega Drive Control Pad
- Sold only for users of the Genesis / Mega Drive NSO app. The design is based on the original Control Pad for Genesis / Mega Drive with 3-button support. Serial number: HAC‐045;
- SEGA Mega Drive Fighting Pad 6B
- Sold only for users of the Mega Drive NSO app in 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. Serial number: HAC‐046.
