Four retro staples hit Nintendo Classics on Switch Online – Nov. 25

Table of Content

On Nov. 25, 2025, Nintendo rolled out a fresh Nintendo Classics update for Nintendo Switch Online. The drop adds two NES titles and two Game Boy games to the retro libraries. The lineup features Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos and Battletoads on NES, alongside Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando on Game Boy. Access requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. An official video overview accompanies the announcement.

NES – new additions to the Nintendo Classics app

The NES collection expands with one of the era’s definitive action platformers and a notoriously challenging brawler. Both releases reflect late‑generation NES design – tighter controls, sharper level variety and strong replay hooks.

• Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (©1990 KOEI TECMO) – a fast side‑scrolling action platformer known for cinematic storytelling and brisk stage design. Expect precise combat, platforming gauntlets and a narrative told through cutscenes.
• Battletoads (© Microsoft 1991) – a hybrid beat ’em up and platformer with local co‑op, multi‑genre stages and high difficulty. Vehicle segments and enemy variety define its skill ceiling.

Game Boy – two portable classics join the catalog

Game Boy’s library gets a mythic platformer from Nintendo and a grappling‑focused action title from Capcom. Both emphasize short, replayable stages suited to handheld sessions while retaining their series’ hallmark mechanics.

• Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (© 1991 Nintendo) – a portable sequel starring Pit that blends vertical ascent, side‑scrolling stages and light exploration with a Greco‑mythological theme.
• Bionic Commando (© CAPCOM) – a side‑scrolling action game built around a grappling bionic arm instead of a jump, enabling swinging traversal and tactical combat routes.

Read also our article: Free game demos land for 2025 on Switch and Switch 2

Trailer and availability

The announcement is accompanied by Nintendo’s official video overview: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6wZZI8a4uDI?autoplay=0&modestbranding=1&loop=0&controls=1&mute=0&cc_load_policy=0&hl=en&cc_lang_pref=en&rel=0

Availability: The four games are now part of the NES – Nintendo Switch Online and Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online apps for members.

Rights and attributions

©1990 KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. © Microsoft 1991. Battletoads™ is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. © 1991 Nintendo. © CAPCOM.

Final takeaway – why this drop matters

This update strengthens both NES and Game Boy libraries with four genre touchstones – cinematic action from Ninja Gaiden II, co‑op challenge in Battletoads, mythic platforming via Kid Icarus, and swing‑based traversal in Bionic Commando. If you track classic design across eras, this set neatly showcases how late‑cycle NES and portable Game Boy titles pushed mechanics forward without losing pick‑up‑and‑play appeal.