Nintendo has brought hundreds of NES games to Switch Online, but dozens still haven’t made the trip. A new list of ten NES games still missing from Switch Online argues that some of the best ones are still waiting.
The ranking runs from #10, Paperboy, down to #1, The Battle of Olympus. Each entry is a game the writer wants to see on the service as soon as possible.
Paperboy
Paperboy appeared on most major platforms of the era, but the NES version was special. The arcade original used bright colors, but the NES port used muted tones that fit the console’s limits. Players deliver papers to subscribers and avoid smashing the windows of nonsubscribers across a week of obstacles. It’s not a big game, but it’s perfect for a quick retro fix.
Kiwi Kraze
Kiwi Kraze, a port of New Zealand Story, is cheap to buy on cartridge today. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. Players run, jump, and ride balloons through a zoo world full of monsters with bows and laser guns, chasing an evil walrus who has bird-napped their friends. There are hidden warps, temporary weapon upgrades, and deep water to explore. The game is hard, especially the bosses, but finding secrets keeps it replayable.
Adventure Island 3
Adventure Island 3 put Master Higgins, a shirtless hero, through tropical stages where he gathers fruit to keep his energy up and throws hammers at creeping foes. The games are hard but fun, and the third installment never got the Virtual Console treatment on Wii or Wii U. Neither did the fourth entry, which also never came out in English.
Destiny of an Emperor
Capcom never bothered to bring this RPG to English speakers after the original game flopped. Players led a group of soldiers against bandit brigades known as the Yellow Scarves, clearing China of trouble. The game had a long quest, a pretty world to explore, and battles between groups of soldiers. Some think it inspired later RPG hits like Suikoden.
The Battle of Olympus
Orpheus, the hero, sets out to save his lover Helene from Minister Pumpkin. He travels through many lands, fighting monsters with swords and magic. The action looks like Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, with strong visuals that suit the ancient Greek setting. The creators are working on a Steam remake that launches in early access in January 2027, ahead of the game’s 40th anniversary.
Bubble Bobble Part 2
The original Bubble Bobble cartridge is cheap, but its sequel is rare and expensive. Both games feature bubble-blowing dinosaurs hopping through single-screen levels, collecting prizes and clearing enemies before moving on. The sequel adds multiplayer support, cute graphics, and catchy music. Putting the sequel on Switch Online would save everyone from paying a fortune for a collector’s item.
Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
Sir Cucumber sets out to rescue Princess Tomato from Minister Pumpkin, a royal adviser who no one should ever have trusted. The player navigates a lively world full of talking vegetables, with a menu-driven interface that looks like a text adventure with pictures. Nintendo put it on Virtual Console, but that service ended, leaving it among more than 200 classic games that can no longer be owned.
Key Facts
- Paperboy: Dec. 1988
- Kiwi Kraze: Mar. 1991
- Adventure Island 3: Jul. 1992
- Destiny of an Emperor: May 1989
- The Battle of Olympus: Mar. 1988
- Bubble Bobble Part 2: Aug. 1993
- Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom: May 1988
- Steam remake of The Battle of Olympus: January 2027
Our View
Nintendo has a backlog of NES games to draw from, and this list shows there’s plenty left to add. Some of these games are expensive to buy on cartridge, and putting them on Switch Online would make them far easier to play without spending a fortune.
The ranking is light on the reasons these games deserve a spot, but that’s part of its charm. It reads like a personal list of favorites rather than a formal case for each game. For a reader looking for a weekend diversion, the list points to games worth tracking down, whether through emulation or a physical cartridge.
The games on this list are worth playing, and the fact that they’re still missing from Switch Online is a shame. Nintendo has brought hundreds of NES games to the service already, and the list below shows there’s still room for more.
The Battle of Olympus leads the list at #1. Here’s how the top five rank:
- The Battle of Olympus
- Bubble Bobble Part 2
- Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom
- Destiny of an Emperor
- Adventure Island 3
Source material: “10 Essential NES Games Still Missing From Switch Online,” Polygon.
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