September Nintendo Switch Online Update Is Almost All Japanese

Another update to Nintendo Switch Online hit last afternoon, this time in the SNES section. Four games were just added to the library, but the odd thing is, only one of them was part of the original US lineup.

That solitary American release is Battletoads And Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team, the crossover between the early 90s hits that happened to share the same publisher. If you felt the original Battletoads would’ve been better as a pure beat-em-up like the first stage was, then….that’s what this is (and it’s also a bit easier). Speaking of the NES game, it still isn’t on NSO, but this and Battletoads In Battlemaniacs is. How weird.

The other three were Super Famicom only, starting with something called Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen’in Shūgō! Remember Super Dodge Ball on the NES? This is SUPER Super Dodge Ball, and it really should’ve come out here originally. Fortunately you don’t need to know much Japanese to get a concept like dodgeball. Both games are spinoffs from the Kunio-Kun franchise, the same that River City Ransom and River City Girls 1 and 2 are a part of.

Cosmo Gang: The Puzzle….you probably haven’t heard of this. I only know of it because I’m a fan of its cousin, Cosmo Gang: The Video, an arcade space shooter and a cartoony take on Galaga. A pretty faithful port of Cosmo Gang: The Video came out for Super Famicom, so I don’t know why we’re getting The Puzzle instead. Note that we DID get a version of this game — as Pac-Attack on the Genesis.

Finally there’s Big Run, one of the rare Super Famicom racing games that didn’t use Mode 7 for its tracks. As you can witness from the video below, it’s pretty choppy and clunky. Anyway, that’s what you get. Tune in next week to NSO for possibly something better.

BATTLETOADS DOUBLE DRAGON – The warriors from Double Dragon joins forces with the toad-acious Battletoads trio to form the ultimate team in this 1993 beat-’em-up! Tussle with terrific twins Billy and Jimmy Lee as they team up with Zitz, Rash and Pimple to defend the Earth against the combined might of the Dark Queen and the Shadow Boss! Leap from the Battlecopter onto the tail of the Colossus spaceship and fight your way through beastly baddies and lethal objects using the Battletoads’ arsenal of Smash Hits or the Dragons’ array of Dragon Force Techniques – each provides incredible attacking combos, including kicks, punches, throws and more! You’ll also put your driving skills to the test with the Speeder Bike and high-speed Space Pod. How will this struggle for Earth’s future end?

BIG RUN – Race across the vast landscape of Africa – from Tripoli to Dakar – over the course of nine stages in this racing game originally released for the Super Famicom^™ system in 1991. This monumental task isn’t only about putting pedal to the metal, though! First, you’ll need to select a sponsor and then use those funds to hire staff. Next, you’ll need some spare parts to replace tires and engines when they get damaged or worn out. The glory of victory awaits if you can combine precise tactics and bold driving to weather the brutal driving conditions that stand between you and your goal.

COSMO GANG THE PUZZLE – The Cosmo Gang take on falling-block-style puzzles across three modes in this 1993 action-puzzle game that was originally for Super Famicom. Focus on clearing blocks to get the high score in 1P Mode, play competitive battles in VS Mode and put yourself to the test in 100 Stage Mode, where you can solve stage after stage of strategic challenges. In each of the modes, progress is made by removing containers and Cosmos that fall from the top of the screen. You can remove the containers by lining six up in a horizontal row — and Cosmos are removed when they touch the blue orbs that occasionally make their way down. Though the two types of blocks are cleared in different ways, try to see if you can perform a combo by clearing both types at once!

Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen’in Shūgō! – This sports game, released for the Super Famicom system in 1993, features Kunio-kun (who you may recognize from the River City series!) and his striking dodgeball moves. Take the field and square off against teams from various countries and employ a variety of jumps, passes and dynamic knockout shots as you aim to become the greatest dodgeball team in the world. Plus, each stage has hidden gimmicks to discover, so your matches may even take some unexpected turns! Build your ideal team, power up with in-game items and train your teammates to be the best they can be. Can you take the dodgeball championship by storm?