7 free NES games added to Nintendo Switch Online in July 2024 (2024)

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By Jacob Siegal

Published Jul 4th, 2024 7:36PM EDT

7 free NES games added to Nintendo Switch Online in July 2024 (2)

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Nintendo has really been picking up the pace with additional classic games for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers lately. This week, just in time for Independence Day, Nintendo added 7 NES games to the Switch Online library, including Donkey Kong Jr. Math.

Nintendo Switch Online – NES games for July

Here’s the complete lineup of free NES games added to the Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online library in July:

  • Urban Champion: On these streets, there is only one rule: Punch or be punched. Nintendo’s first 2D fighting game from 1986,Urban Championis a bare-knuckle throwdown between fighters looking to earn the rank of Champion – and send their opponent plummeting down the nearest manhole in the process. If successful, they will earn confetti showers from local residents and, eventually, enough victory symbols to proclaim themselves the undisputed champ.But watch out for angry neighbors who will attempt to drop flowerpots on your head, and the police will make occasional appearances to temporarily break up the fight, or to make an arrest if the fight clock runs out.Spar against a computer opponent or a friend and prove your worth in becoming the Urban Champion!
  • Golf: Hit the links and revisit one of the original NES sports games. This 1990 classic brings you 36 holes of realistic golf action, with hazards that change every time you play (so you’ll need to plan a strategy apart from just “swing away”). Check wind direction, select the right club and adjust your swing as you make your drive. A scorecard keeps track of your strokes for each hole as you face twisting fairways and hungry sand traps. Tee time is right now, so grab your clubs!
  • Donkey Kong Jr. Math: First question:Donkey Kong + Donkey Kong Jr. ÷ Math Homework = ?The answer: Numerical fun. Originally released in 1986,Donkey Kong Jr.Mathtakes the vine-swinging gameplay of the originalDonkey Kong Jr.game and adds an extra element of mathematical challenge. Play as Donkey Kong Jr. and rescue Donkey Kong, who’s been imprisoned by Mario. Navigate across vines and platforms to solve math-based puzzles, which requires you to do everything from collecting numbers to grabbing appropriate symbols that add, subtract, multiply and divide them as needed to solve each problem. Along the way, you’ll gather fruit and keys, and make sure you avoid the pesky birds, nasty electric sparks and creepy chompers! Sorry, did we not mention there’d be a test?
  • Mach Rider: Set either 88 years in the future (from today) or 127 years in the future (from the game’s original release date in 1985),Mach Rideris a vehicular combat racing game where players navigate their heavily-armed Quadrunner across the ruined wastes of Earth in the year 2112. Engage in the Fighting Course and blast your way across 10 different sectors, avoiding obstacles and taking down enemies. Or try your hand at the Endurance Course, where you try to complete sectors in a set time limit, with oil drums and opponents determined to slow you down. You can also tackle the time trial in the Solo Course mode where it’s just you against the clock.Remember, you are Earth’s only hope — you are Mach Rider.
  • The Mystery of Atlantis: Known asAtlantis no Nazoin Japan,The Mystery of Atlantisis a side-scrolling adventure where players take on the role of Wyn, an amateur explorer intent on unlocking the secrets of a lost civilization and rescuing his captive master from the forces of the evil Emperor Zavyra. Using sticks of dynamite, Wyn will attempt to survive a myriad of exotic locations such as caves, temples and even clouds. Atlantis is comprised of 100 zones, each one connected by warp doors – but choose wisely! Your success in the island’s maze will depend on which doors you go through and the path you take.
  • SOLARJETMAN: You are Jetman on a dangerous quest to collect the lost pieces of the Golden Warpship, a near-mythical vessel capable of interstellar travel. This early-’90s multidirectional shooter puts you in the cockpit of Jetman’s Jetpod, as you explore 12 menacing alien worlds, each with its own level of gravity! Collect alien goods along the way to earn points you can trade for equipment from the Interstellar Marketing Co. Trading Post. Once you discover a piece of the Warpship, you’ll have to tow it back to your Mothership, fighting against the added drag that impacts your maneuverability (and burns away your fuel – keep an eye on those gauges!). Recovering the pieces will be no easy task, and Solar Jetman is the only hope!
  • COBRA TRIANGLE: Heard of the Bermuda Triangle? Well, that’s a resort cruise compared to what awaits you in theCOBRA TRIANGLE.Put your skill and reflexes to the test at the helm of a Cobra Class Speed Boat in this 1989 vehicle-based action game for theoriginal NES. In this part boat racing game, part vehicular combat game, you’ll take on high-speed challenges including cannon-equipped enemy craft, imperiled swimmers, deadly sea monsters, dangerous whirlpools and ticking bombs. Play through 25 stages of aquatic mayhem,where you’ll need to collect Power-Up Items scattered throughout levels to upgrade your speed and firepower if you hope to get out of the Triangle in one piece!

The standard Nintendo Switch Online membership costs $19.99/year and includes online play, Save Data Cloud backup, and NES, SNES, and Game Boy games. You can also upgrade to a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass membership for $49.99/year, which adds DLC for a few popular Switch games, as well as N64, GBA, and Genesis games.

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Jacob Siegal Associate Editor

Jacob Siegal is Associate Editor at BGR, having joined the news team in 2013. He has over a decade of professional writing and editing experience, and helps to lead our technology and entertainment product launch and movie release coverage.

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7 free NES games added to Nintendo Switch Online in July 2024 (2024)

FAQs

7 free NES games added to Nintendo Switch Online in July 2024? ›

NES & Super NES - Nintendo Switch Online

If you join the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership service, you'll get access to a growing library of easy to pick-up-and-play NES & Super NES titles. Pass a Joy-Con to a friend for multiplayer fun, or even play online!

Are NES games free with switch online? ›

NES & Super NES - Nintendo Switch Online

If you join the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership service, you'll get access to a growing library of easy to pick-up-and-play NES & Super NES titles. Pass a Joy-Con to a friend for multiplayer fun, or even play online!

How to get free classic games on Nintendo Switch? ›

Complete These Steps:

Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online. Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections. Select Free Download twice.

How to get Nintendo Switch Online expansion pack for free? ›

Is a free trial available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack? One free, seven-day trial of the Nintendo Switch Online service is available per Nintendo Account, through Nintendo eShop on your device. A free trial for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, however, is not available.

How do I get NES games on my switch? ›

Choose Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online or Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online. Select Free Download twice. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Can you play Nintendo Switch Online without paying? ›

Can I play Nintendo Switch games online without becoming a member of the service? A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to participate in co-op and competitive online features for many first- and third-party Nintendo Switch games, including Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Super Smash Bros.

Can you play NES on Switch offline? ›

Games can be played while you are offline, but you must have an active membership and must regularly verify your membership by connecting to the internet.

Can you really get free Switch games? ›

Did you know that there are lots of amazing free-to-play games available for the Nintendo Switch™ system? Now you do! Whether you're starting your game library or looking to build it up, you can add a few more games without having to empty your piggy bank.

How do you redeem free games on Nintendo Switch? ›

Complete these steps

Select Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop. Select the account you want to redeem the content on. Select Enter Code on the left side of the screen. Enter the 16-character download code and select OK.

What is the cheat code for the classic Nintendo game? ›

Misc. Cheats SMS
EffectCode
Extra LifePress Right, Left, Left, Right, Up, Down, Down, Right.
Food Sprite ViewerPress Up, Left, Down, Left, Down, Up, Up, Left.
Show Hints (Japanese Version)Press Left, Down, Left, Down, 1, 2, 1, 1.
Start With The ShoesPress Left, Up, Left, Right, Left, Left, Down, Right.
6 more rows

How many free trials of Nintendo online are there? ›

Nintendo Account users can sign up for a free trial Individual membership for Nintendo Switch Online. The free trial is available once per Nintendo Account. The free trial can't be used with Nintendo Accounts that already have an Individual or Family membership.

How to get NSO free trial? ›

Select Nintendo Switch Online on the left side of the screen. Select Free Trial from the banner at the top of the screen.

Can you make a free Nintendo Account? ›

A Nintendo Account can be created for free (no cost involved). Only users age 16 or older can create their own Nintendo Account. Accounts for children under age 16 can be added to a Nintendo Account family group by their parent/guardian. Parents/guardians can supervise Nintendo Accounts of any age.

Why can't i play NES games on Switch? ›

Verify that the Nintendo Account you are using has an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. You may also find our information on how to check your current subscription plan and expiration helpful.

How many NES games are there? ›

There are a total of 1386 officially licensed games released for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Family Computer during their lifespans plus 4 official multicarts and 2 championship cartridges.

Can you play original Zelda on Switch? ›

The Legend of Zelda: Nintendo Switch Online

You simply need to download the official NES, SNES, or Game Boy emulators and then play the games through these on your Switch. Here is the full list of Zelda games available from Nintendo Switch Online: The Legend of Zelda (NES) The Adventure of Link (NES)

Do you get free monthly games with Nintendo Switch Online? ›

Also like PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription includes access to "free" games. Instead of releasing new games on a monthly basis, however, Nintendo Switch Online adds retro titles from legacy Nintendo consoles in batches, in addition to the occasional original game.

Do you get games with Nintendo Switch Online? ›

A paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership includes libraries of classic Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games with added online play, access to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Booster Course Pass DLCs at no additional cost, and all the benefits of a ...

Are games free on Nintendo Switch? ›

Did you know that there are lots of amazing free-to-play games available for the Nintendo Switch™ system? Now you do! Whether you're starting your game library or looking to build it up, you can add a few more games without having to empty your piggy bank.

What are the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online? ›

With a paid membership, Nintendo Switch Online members can enjoy a range of benefits like online play, cloud saves, and more!
  • Share the smiles with online play. ...
  • Play classic NES, Super NES & Game Boy games. ...
  • Exclusive offers for members.

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