In October 2021, theNintendo Switch Onlinepaid subscription service added an expansion pack, which included a number of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis titles. While the expanded library of games containedThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64,and other enticing titles,Nintendo faced backlash because the Nintendo Switch Online expansion packoffered a fairly small selection of games for the price and some N64 titles had performance issues.In the ensuing months, the catalog of games offered with the Nintendo Switch Online expansion pack has grown slowly but steadily. Since December 2021, at least one game has been added to the service each month.Nintendo Switch Online now also includesF-Zero X, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Banjo-Kazooie,andPaper Mario.A number of other games likePokemon SnapandKirby 64: The Crystal Shardsare already slated to be added in the future, although their release date has not yet been announced.RELATED:Super Mario Bros. 3 Player Makes New Out of Bounds Discovery Decades After ReleaseSega Genesis games have also been regularly added to theNintendo Switch Onlineexpansion pack since its launch in October. Five titles were added in December, includingAltered BeastandToeJam & Earl,and on March 16,Alien Soldier, Light Crusader,andSuper Fantasy Zonejoined the catalog of Sega Genesis games available through the service.
The first of the three new Sega Genesis games, the side-scrolling run-and-gun shooterAlien Soldier,originally launched in 1995 on theSega Mega Drive console. It was praised at the time for its advanced graphics, soundtrack, and steep learning curve. Developed by Treasure,Alien Soldierhas often been compared to the studio’s previous release in the same genre,Gunstar Heroes,although the newer game focused more on boss fights and did not feature two-player co-op.
The last Sega game added to theNintendo Switch OnlineExpansion Pack on March 16 is Sunsoft’sSuper Fantasy Zone,which released in 1992 on the Mega Drive and Virtual Console. The side-scrolling shooter is another sci-fi themed game that takes players on a quest to avenge the death of Opa-Opa’s father, who was killed by the invading Menon Empire. Players pilot an egg-shaped spaceship, whose firepower, speed, and bombs can be upgraded as the game progresses.
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