Nintendo has officially confirmed that Paper Mario will be the next N64 game added to the Switch Online service.
In October, Nintendo unveiled the Expansion Pack for Switch Online, introducing classic N64 and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis games to the modern console.
The announcement of Paper Mario as the first title was made through Nintendo of America’s Twitter account, much to the excitement of fans.
Paper Mario is set to be available on the Expansion Pack + Switch Online service starting from 10th December, just in time for festive holiday gaming.
Originally released in 2000 for the N64, Paper Mario has since seen several sequels and spin-offs featuring RPG-style turn-based combat, with the latest installment, Paper Mario: The Origami King, launching in 2020 for the Nintendo Switch.
However, the Expansion Pack has faced some criticism. Priced at £34.99 for a single-person 12-month subscription and £59.99 for the family option allowing up to eight accounts, it offers less value compared to services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, which provide a wider range of games, including major blockbusters.
Some individual titles, such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 under the SEGA AGES brand, are available for just £5.99 on the UK Switch eShop. This raises the question of whether purchasing specific titles separately might be a more cost-effective option for consumers.
Despite this, the sign-up for Switch Online + Expansion Pack includes the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise expansion, released on 5th November, which may offer significant value for players who already own the base game due to its substantial additional content.
Additional N64 games currently available on the service include classics such as Mario 64, Starfox 64, and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is expected that more titles will be added to the service over time.
