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How to Swap Which Player Controls Player 1 in Nintendo Classics Games

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Follow these steps to swap who acts as Player 1 (P1) in an online game from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, or Nintendo GameCube classic game libraries.

Note
  • This feature is available in online play only. When playing locally on a single system, you can trade controllers or change the order of paired controllers.
  • It is not possible to swap Player 1 from the Suspend Menu in the Game Boy - Nintendo Classics and Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics game libraries. Whichever player started the online game first will be Player 1.
  • You can play online with users whom you have added as a friend on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

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

  1. While playing online with a Nintendo Classics game, the player who set up the online game must open the Suspend Menu.
    • How to open the Suspend Menu in Nintendo Classics games

      Note: If you have "Show controls in game" enabled in Settings, the inputs to open the Suspend Menu will be displayed at the bottom of the screen while playing.

      • Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button, or when using the NES Controller press the L Button and R Button.
      • Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
      • Game Boy - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
      • Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: Press the - (Minus) Button, or when using the Nintendo 64 Controller press the ZR Button.
      • Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+: Press the - (Minus) Button, or when using the Nintendo 64 Controller press the ZR Button.
      • SEGA Genesis – Nintendo Switch Online: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button, or when using the SEGA Genesis Control Pad press the MODE Button.
      • Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
      • Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics: Press the - (Minus) Button, or when using the GameCube Controller press the ZL Button.
    • How to open the Suspend Menu in Nintendo Classics games

      Note: If you have "Show controls in game" enabled in Settings, the inputs to open the Suspend Menu will be displayed at the bottom of the screen while playing.

      • Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button, or when using the NES Controller press the L Button and R Button.
      • Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
      • Game Boy - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
      • Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: Press the - (Minus) Button, or when using the Nintendo 64 Controller press the ZR Button.
      • Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+: Press the - (Minus) Button, or when using the Nintendo 64 Controller press the ZR Button.
      • SEGA Genesis – Nintendo Switch Online: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button, or when using the SEGA Genesis Control Pad press the MODE Button.
      • Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
      • Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics: Press the - (Minus) Button, or when using the GameCube Controller press the ZL Button.
      • Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics: Press the ZL Button and ZR Button.
  2. From the Suspend Menu, press the Y Button or select Swap P1 to swap between Player 1 and Player 2.
    • If more than two players are part of the online game, you will be prompted to select which player will control Player 1.
    • A brief notification will be displayed to indicate this change.
    • The initiator of the online game will continue having control of the menus and of the game selection.

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