Nintendo Switch Online: NES Titles You Might Have Overlooked
A lot of criticism surrounds the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. Why charge for what was free before? Aren't all these online games using peer to peer connections? What are we actually paying for? While some of this criticism is justified, one of the coolest perks of the online membership is the Nes and SNES switch online apps, which enable you to play classic games on your switch and even improve them with access to online multiplayer. While many continue to ask why other systems like N64 or even certain classic NES and SNES games are absent from the service, I'd like to highlight some of the games on the service that I think don't get enough love. Maybe while we wait for those other things to bee added they can have a chance to shine. We all know about classics like Super Mario Bros. 3, Legend of Zelda, and even Kid Icarus, but these games don't get nearly as much attention. Try them out: you just might find a new favorite.
Eliminator Boat Duel
Eliminator boat duel is a boat racing game that uses both top-down and behind-the-boat perspectives. You succeed primarily by avoiding obstacles, but it's actually possible to jump onto the other racer to slow them down. Opponents and courses are randomized, so repeat playthroughs are different. The shift between perspectives can keep you on your toes, and sets it apart from other racing games. Winning races earns you prize money which can be used to upgrade your boat. Losing does not cause a game over: but it does leave you with less money for upgrades. Amusingly, many original NES cartridges mis-spell the title as "Elimonator" on the top label.
Vice: Project Doom
Vice: Project Doom combines several different gameplay genres in a single package. Some levels feature first person on-rails shooting, others put you in a car chase that plays like a shoot 'em up, but the core of the game is an action platformer in the vein of ninja gaiden. It even uses cutscenes with closeups of large sprites similar to ninja gaiden. Compared to that game, the difficulty feels much more fair. You can cycle between three weapons with the select button: a sword, gun, and grenades. While ammo for the gun and grenades is limited, drops are plentiful and they both have their uses. The sword has a very generous hitbox on an overhead swing, which lets you hit enemies from below. The protagonist can even run while crouching! I also appreciate how the last enemy before the boss always drops health. The original cartridge for the game has become somewhat rare; price charting has it at $59.49 loose.
Fire ‘N Ice
More so than Vice: Project Doom, the original NES cartridge for Fire 'N ice is extraordinarily rare. Price charting currently lists it loose for $167.50! If you don't already have it, switch online is pretty much the only place to play this game.
Actually a sequel to Solomon's Key (which is also worth checking out), Fire 'N Ice is a puzzle platformer that tasks you with putting out fires by pushing ice blocks into them. It's a unique kind of puzzle you won't find anywhere else. The game is divided into Ten worlds, all available from the start, so if you're frustrated by a particular puzzle, just try a different one and come back later!
Clu Clu Land
While Clu Clu land is an odd game that might be difficult to understand, it's unique movement controls are what makes it stand out. The main character, Bubbles the balloonfish moves forward constantly, and must grab onto turning all throughout the stage. Between the posts are hidden gold ingots that are uncovered by moving over them. Stages are cleared when all the ingots are uncovered, forming a simple picture. It's a great feeling when you realize the pattern and immediately know where to go nest for the last few ingots. The game has a very straight-forward arcade feel. I'd recommend it to fans of Pac-Man. Fun fact: the first version of Clu Clu land I ever played was on the e-reader.
Journey to Silius
Journey to Silius was initially intended as a tie-in to the film Terminator, but the licensing fell through. Nonetheless, an action platformer reminiscent of Mega Man was completed and released in 1990 just a few months before the Super Famicom would release in Japan. While the gameplay is nothing particularly innovative, it packages tried and true mechanics with solid level design and some truly impressive 8-bit spritework and music..
While these games may not have been the first titles to come to mind when the NES online app was announced, I'm glad that they are here. The real strength of the service has been introducing me to games I never had a chance to play before. Especially so since some of these are quite rare and hard to find in the original format, and are less likely to see a re-release outside of a service like this. So next time a game you've never heard of gets added, try it out. You might be surprised how much fun you have!
