nintendo switch online

Nintendo Switch Online Serves Up Toads For Thanksgiving

We have to say this week’s Nintendo Switch Online update is better than the norm, and it happens to be in the NES and Game Boy sections of the service — the places you’d think would be exhausted of significant updates by now. But no, we received a quartet of 8-bit classics to chew on this Thanksgiving weekend, leading with the legendary Battletoads.

Battletoads is pretty much the game that introduced Rare to North America, not that they hadn’t released games here before but this was their first title significant enough to attract attention to their specific brand. Rash, Zitz and Pimple. three toads in outer space, are tasked with saving a purloined princess (and Pimple) from the clutches of the evil (yet delightful) Dark Queen. Be warned that all the stories from Millennials about this game being “hard” are true. You might stand a better chance with the rewind feature, but you’ll still need all the luck in the world, and heavy memorization muscles, for that third level.

The NES also gets Ninja Gaiden 2, the second in the original 8-bit trilogy. It’s difficult, but not as much as Battletoads is. If you’re keeping track, the first Ninja Gaiden was put on NSO seven years ago, Hope it doesn’t take another seven for Ninja Gaiden 3.

On the Game Boy side of things, we have Kid Icarus: Of Myths And Monsters and Bionic Commando. Until Kid Icarus Uprising, this was the only sequel the popular NES game ever got. The NES version of Bionic Commando is preferable to the Game Boy one, but it’s no slouch.

Eat up these four games and have a mad, bad and crazy Thanksgiving.

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Avatar of BlueBlurFanatic
BlueBlurFanatic

The Speedster Sage

509 messages 39 likes

Battletoads still gives me nightmares, but it’s so satisfying when I finally clear a level. I like the idea of having it available again, especially with the rewind option. Ninja Gaiden 2 looks like it will be easier to handle, which is good because I never finished the first game all the way. Kid Icarus on Game Boy is tiny but fun, a little gem I didn’t remember. Bionic Commando is tricky with the controls, but I appreciate that they added it. I think Nintendo is doing something smart by keeping these old titles alive; it’s good for people who missed them before. Playing these games on Switch feels different, like you can experience them without the frustration of old hardware.

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Avatar of Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog
Teenage Mutant Ninja Frog

New Member

57 messages 0 likes

I can’t believe Battletoads is back. I spent hours as a teenager dying repeatedly on the third level, and now I feel motivated to try it again. The rewind makes a huge difference, but I still have to plan and memorize the stages. Ninja Gaiden 2 is nostalgic, and I’m excited to compare it to the first game I played years ago. I never finished the Game Boy versions before, so this feels like a perfect chance. Kid Icarus and Bionic Commando are small, focused games, but I like that they added variety. NSO is doing something good here; it feels like a celebration of gaming history.

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Avatar of Luca
Luca

My Name is Luca, I live on the second floor

400 messages 24 likes

Battletoads made me frustrated quickly, but the rewind feature saves me from giving up. Ninja Gaiden 2 is a pleasant challenge, not too punishing. Kid Icarus on Game Boy is surprisingly deep for its size. Bionic Commando is entertaining, even if the controls aren’t perfect. I like that the selection mixes high difficulty with accessible gameplay. It makes the Switch feel like more than just a modern console; it’s a place to revisit old memories while trying them anew. I can see myself spending the weekend hopping between all four games without getting bored.

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Avatar of 5CHD
5CHD

Member

107 messages 19 likes

I love these small updates. Battletoads is impossible without rewind, but that’s part of the fun. Ninja Gaiden 2 is great for when you want a fast challenge. I never played the Game Boy Kid Icarus sequel, so it feels like discovering something hidden. Bionic Commando is neat for swinging around and exploring. These games don’t take much time individually, but together they make a nice mini-marathon. NSO keeps showing why retro games are still fun. I feel like these updates make me look forward to holidays now because I can play something new yet classic.

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Avatar of The Zyborg
The Zyborg

Well-Known Member

5,780 messages 789 likes

I was surprised Nintendo added four games at once. Battletoads brings back memories of my childhood struggle, and the rewind option finally makes it approachable. Ninja Gaiden 2 is good for those who want a shorter challenge. I never finished the Game Boy games, so this is my chance to experience them properly. Kid Icarus is charming, and Bionic Commando is clever. I like that the update mixes difficulty levels, handheld and console games, so it’s not repetitive. It’s the kind of thing that keeps me using NSO and makes me appreciate the effort they put into these libraries.

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Avatar of JoshAdair
JoshAdair

New Member

24 messages 0 likes

Funny how Nintendo always drops some retro vibes right before the holidays — adding “Toad’s” feels like the perfect cozy throwback. Stuff like this usually puts me in the mood to mix things up a bit, so after playing on my Switch I sometimes hop over to https://ggbet-dk.com just to unwind in a different way. Kinda became a small habit over time. Nice to balance old-school titles with something completely different, you know? Keeps the brain from getting stuck in one mode.

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