Buck up, old chaps! The brains at Nintendo Switch Online have rolled out a shiny new update, exclusively for the fine Expansion Pack subscribers. This swanky addition sees classic Sega Mega Drive titles – Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Landstalker, Crusader of Centy, and The Revenge of Shinobi crashing the party. For those confused, the Sega Mega Drive was called Genesis in North America but the previously mentioned Mega Drive outside it.
A Treasure Trove of NES, SNES, and Game Boy Classics
Cast your mind back to 2018, when Nintendo Switch Online first graced our consoles, bringing with it a treasure trove of NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color titles. Gamers were gobsmacked, and it didn’t stop there.
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Come 2021, they had the bright idea to roll out the Expansion Pack, a posher tier with a heftier price tag. Not only does it grant access to the standard online multiplayer, par for the course with Nintendo Switch Online – but it opened the floodgates to Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games. Some might say it’s the bee’s knees with diamonds like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Ecco the Dolphin, and Phantasy Star 4 among its glittering offerings. But wait, there’s more! Subscribers are also privy to exclusive offers and time-limited game trials. Cheeky, isn’t it?
This week, the chaps at Nintendo have slipped another surprise into the Expansion Pack. A splash of retro Sega Genesis charm. Among the newcomers are Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Landstalker, Crusader of Centy, and The Revenge of Shinobi.
Now, let’s talk Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, a 1988 side-scroller from Capcom that later found King Arthur doing the rounds in the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise. This arcade relic sees Arthur going toe-to-toe with Loki’s undead and demonic minions in a bid to bring the slain back to life.
Next up is Landstalker, a 1992 treasure hunting RPG from Sega, celebrated for its dashing use of isometric vision, akin to the style of Shining Force. This jaunt around a magical kingdom is sure to tickle your fancy.
Oldies but Goldies: New Sega Additions
- Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
- Crusader of Centy
- Landstalker
- The Revenge of Shinobi
Crusader of Centy is another classic from Sega’s vaults, first unveiled in 1994. It’s an action RPG that sees players vanquishing monsters, time-travelling, and nabbing different animal abilities in a fashion that’s decidedly Kirby-esque.
The curtain call goes to The Revenge of Shinobi, a 1989 release, and the second game in the Shinobi series. It sees ninja master Joe Musashi battling a nefarious organisation to rescue his bride and get some payback. Fans might also recall the game’s soundtrack, masterfully composed by Yuzo Koshiro of Shenmue and Streets of Rage fame.
Nintendo Switch Online continues to be a delightful stroll down nostalgia avenue for Nintendo aficionados. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates, like that recent surprise drop of the Game Boy Advance’s award-winning Fire Emblem. Now, isn’t that a proper trip down memory lane?
About The Author
Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.