How to Start Local or Online Multiplayer in a Nintendo Classics Game

Complete these steps

How would you like to play together?

• Play Online (multiple systems)
  1. Which Nintendo Classics game library do you want to play?

     Game Boy or Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics All Others
  2. 1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Play Online.
     3. You can begin playing while you wait for the other player(s) to join the game by selecting Play While You Wait.
        • You can opt to set a passcode for the online game, which you will need to share with the other player(s).
        • A notification will briefly appear on the screen once another player joins the game.
     4. Select Invite a Friend to send an invite to users you have added as Friends.
     5. Select the game you want to play online. Only titles supporting multiplayer will be listed.
     6. For detailed steps to set up multiplayer in the selected title, press the ZL Button and ZR Button to open the Suspend Menu, then select Starting Linked Play.
        • Please note that each title has its own unique steps to start multiplayer, and some titles may require progress in the single player modes to unlock multiplayer modes.
     7. Players can share their current screen with each other by pressing and holding the ZL Button and ZR Button. This will pause the game currently being played. On Nintendo Switch 2, you can also share your screen using GameChat.

     1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Play Online. .
     3. You can begin playing while you wait for the other player(s) to join the game by selecting Play While You Wait.
        • You can opt to set a passcode for the online game, which you will need to share with the other player(s).
        • A notification will briefly appear on the screen once another player joins the game.
     4. Select Invite a Friend to send an invite to users you have added as Friends.
     5. Select a game and start playing!
• Play Local Multiplayer (single system)

  Important: This option is not available in the Game Boy - Nintendo Classics and Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics libraries. If each player has their own system, please follow the steps for "Play Local Multiplayer (multiple systems)" below.

  1. Which Nintendo Classics game library do you want to play?

     Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+ SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
  2. 1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Two Players.
     3. Confirm the controller each player will use.
     4. Select a game and start playing!

     1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Two Players.
     3. Confirm the controller each player will use.
     4. Select a game and start playing!

     1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Play with Everyone.
     3. Select the number of players (two, three, or four).
     4. Confirm the controller each player will use.
     5. Select a game and start playing!

     1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Play with Everyone.
     3. Select the number of players (two, three, or four).
     4. Confirm the controller each player will use.
     5. Select a game and start playing!

     1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Two Players.
     3. Confirm the controller each player will use.
     4. Select a game and start playing!

     1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
     2. From the menu on the left, select Play with Everyone.
     3. Select the number of players (two, three, or four).
     4. Confirm the controller each player will use.
     5. Select a game and start playing!
• Play Local Multiplayer (multiple systems)

  Important

  • This option is only available in the Game Boy - Nintendo Classics and Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics libraries. For other libraries, please follow the steps for "Play Local Multiplayer (single system)" above.
  • Each player needs their own Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console and the appropriate Nintendo Switch Online membership required to access the Nintendo Classics library being played.

  1. Access the Nintendo Classics software you want to play.
  2. From the menu on the left, select Play Local Multiplayer.
  3. Select Play While You Wait to proceed to game selection, or select a player from the list to join their session.
     • You can opt to set a passcode for the local session, which you will need to share with the other player(s).
  4. Select the game you want to play together. Only titles supporting multiplayer will be listed.
  5. For detailed steps to set up multiplayer in the selected title, press the ZL Button and ZR Button to open the Suspend Menu, then select Starting Linked Play.
     • Please note that each title has its own unique steps to start multiplayer, and some titles may require progress in the single player modes to unlock multiplayer modes.