In its September 2021 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online as part of the paid Expansion Pack upgrade in October. Speculation and rumors suggested Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles were coming to Nintendo Switch Online, but the company appears to instead be turning to one of its old competitors for content.
Sega has been releasing collections of its classic games for new systems since the days of the PlayStation 2, as it didn't take long after the decline of the Sega Dreamcast for the company to its embrace its role as a developer and publisher, rather than a console maker. Sega has even often included its older games within newer ones; 2021's Lost Judgment features Sega games from the Master System and Sega's arcade outings, and the Shenmue and Yakuza series are also known for including classic Sega titles as minigames.
The latest Sega retro rerelease comes in the form of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, a new paid membership plan that will add N64 and Sega Genesis games to the service in October 2021. The Expansion Pack will include 14 Sega Genesis games at launch, and more games will be added over time. Nintendo is also producing an official wireless Sega Genesis controller for Switch that can be purchased only by Nintendo Switch Online members, for those who miss the days of switching between punches and kicks in fighting games by pressing the start button.
14 Sega Genesis Games Are Headed To Nintendo Switch Online
The following Sega Genesis games are confirmed for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack at launch. Nintendo noted in a press release that members "can play select titles like Mario Kart 64 online," so it's not clear of the Sega games will support online play.
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Streets of Rage 2
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Castlevania: Bloodlines
- Contra: Hard Corps
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Golden Axe
- Gunstar Heroes
- M.U.S.H.A.
- Phantasy Star IV
- Ristar
- Shining Force
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
- Strider
These games aren't the only way to play Sega Genesis on Nintendo Switch, as the Sega Genesis Classics collection is already available for $15 USD on the eShop. Sega Genesis Classics comes with 50 games, including most of the Expansion Pack. Those who purchase Sega Genesis Classics also get to keep the games, whereas Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will lose access to their Sega Genesis games if their subscription ends.