Nintendo boosts switch online library with pac-man and retro classics
The Nintendo Switch Online service just got a little brighter – and a lot more yellow. Today’s update injects three classic titles into the Classic NES library, offering subscribers a healthy dose of nostalgic gaming.
A blast from the past: pac-man, mendel palace, and the tower of druaga join the roster
Nintendo is rolling out three additions to its retro gaming lineup, including the undeniably iconic Pac-Man. We’re talking about the original arcade experience, complete with chomping pellets, frantic ghost chases, and the strategic use of Power Pellets. Should you relentlessly pursue all the fruit? Absolutely. Prepare to be delightfully, hopelessly lost in a maze of pixels.
Game freak’s puzzle debut: mendel palace
But the update isn’t just about revisiting familiar faces. We also get Mendel Palace, a 1989 puzzle game developed by the legendary Game Freak – the same minds behind Pokémon. This offering is a stark contrast to Pac-Man’s frenetic action, presenting a more deliberate challenge: strategically flipping panels to outsmart enemies and trigger special effects. It’s a surprisingly intricate little game, a testament to the ingenuity of early development teams.
Namco’s fantasy maze: the tower of druaga
Finally, there’s The Tower of Druaga, a Namco action RPG originally released in arcades back in 1984. Don’t let the name fool you; it’s often playfully referred to as a “fantasy Pac-Man,” featuring knights, wizards, and locked doors arranged within mazes that bear a striking resemblance to Pac-Man’s iconic layouts. Can you scale the tower’s heights? The reward, surely, is worth the risk.
For those seeking a comprehensive overview of the Switch Online classic game catalog, IGN’s Tom Phillips has compiled an exhaustive list, spanning from Game Boy to GameCube. You can find his insights here. Phillips, a key figure at IGN, can be reached at [email protected] or on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.
The addition of these titles represents a solid investment for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, offering a diverse selection of retro gems. It’s a reminder that some classics never truly fade.