Nintendo Switch Online Add Metroid And More

The November Nintendo Switch Online update has gone live, bringing a quartet of new games to the NES classics collection, including fan-favorite Metroid. The update includes three standard games as well as another surprise "Special Edition" of a game that's already available through the service.

The original Metroid launched for the Switch's NES collection this week, according to Eurogamer, which should serve as a big draw for classic game diehards and folks who are just excited, in general, about Samus' antics in wrangling the titular aliens. We know that Metroid Prime 4 is currently in development and, according to rumors, Nintendo might be planning to bring the first three games in that particular series to the switch at some point, too. If they're looking to build a little extra hype for the series, then this week's addition to the NES lineup was a solid move.

Metroid is joined in the November update by the platformer, Mighty Bomb Jack, and the vertically scrolling shooter, TwinBee. As an added bonus, Nintendo has thrown in Gradius SP, which changes up the classic NES game in a couple of interesting ways. If you play this version of the game, you'll receive a fully upgraded version of the ship and be dropped directly into the game's fifth level. Think of it like a cheat code in an era where cheat codes are no longer really used.

Something similar was offered last month when Nintendo introduced The Legend of Zelda SP, which let players begin the game with upgraded equipment and several useful items and Rupees. Since we know another three games are set to hit the service next month, it seems likely Nintendo will continue this trend with another special edition of another beloved game.

Speaking of December, Nintendo has already revealed three games that will be introduced to the Switch's NES library next month, including Adventures of Lolo, Wario's Woods and Ninja Gaiden. That will bring the total number of games available on the service to 31, or 32 if they throw in another SP offering.

When the Switch's online service launched in September, Nintendo revealed the 20 initial NES games that would be included as part of the premium program such as River City Ransom, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Double Dragon. They then went on to reveal the next three months' worth of additions, running all the way into December. There's no word yet if more games will be added in 2019 but, considering how many great games the NES had available, we figure they can keep the train rolling for quite some time.

Speaking of the NES collection, have you folks been enjoying all of those old-school games when you aren't too busy playing Diablo 3 and Monster Hunter? What games would you like to see added next? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.