Nintendo Switch Online adds five new games to its lineup

Nintendo continues to expand its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription with classic titles. In May 2026, five new games from the Virtual Boy catalog were added. Players with the expansion will need to pay for the Virtual Boy headset to play these titles.

Newly added to the catalog

The May 2026 additions include:

• Jack Bros.: a maze-based spin-off of the Megami Tensei series in which players control three demons.
• V-Tetris: a unique version of the classic Tetris with distinctive level designs.
• Space Invaders Virtual Collection: includes direct ports of Space Invaders and Space Invaders Part 2.
• Virtual Bowling: a bowling experience that leans on precision and timing.
• Vertical Force: a vertical scrolling shooter where players must take down enemy spaceships.

With these additions, the Virtual Boy catalog now totals 14 titles. This gives subscribers the chance to experience a piece of gaming history, despite the Virtual Boy’s mixed reception at launch.

Availability and requirements

To access the new games, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers must download and install the latest Virtual Boy app update. The subscription costs $50 per year. In addition, users can choose between a physical Virtual Boy headset or a cardboard alternative, priced at $99.99 and $24.99 respectively. Without one of these peripherals, players cannot play Virtual Boy games on current Nintendo hardware.

About the Virtual Boy

Launched in 1995, the Virtual Boy is often seen as a commercial failure for Nintendo. Despite its shortcomings, Nintendo has brought the Virtual Boy catalog back to life. The addition of these titles to Nintendo Switch Online represents an effort to make classics accessible to a new audience, while drawing on gaming culture’s past.

The recent additions to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack show Nintendo’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its rich legacy. With upcoming releases like D-HOPPER and ZERO RACERS later in 2026, Nintendo continues to lean into its history despite older criticism of the Virtual Boy. The range of gaming experiences available on Switch further strengthens the console’s appeal and its subscription services.