How to Start a Nintendo Classics Game
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model
Follow these steps to start a game from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, Game Boy Advance, or Nintendo GameCube classic game libraries.
Before you start
- An active Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to access the Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics, Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics, and Game Boy - Nintendo Classics game libraries.
- An active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership is required to access the Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics, Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+, SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online, Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics, Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics, and Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics game libraries. The Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics library is exclusively playable on Nintendo Switch 2.
Complete these steps
- Access the Nintendo Classics software you wish to play.
- From the menu on the left, select whether you want to play as one player, play with multiple players on the same system, or play online, then select how you want to hold the controller(s).
- For single player, you can play in handheld mode, or play in Tabletop or TV mode with any compatible controllers.
- For multiple players, play in Tabletop or TV mode with a compatible controller for every player.
- Note that for the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics game libraries, it is not possible to play with multiple players on the same system, and for the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics game library, multiplayer is not available.
- Select a game from the library and press the A Button, then use the on-screen instructions to set your game preferences and to start the game.
Additional information
When opening one of the classic game libraries, Internet access may be required periodically to validate your membership status.
