Nintendo has been very active with the retro libraries of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack lately. While Nintendo's updated retro library varies, Nintendo's schedule of new additions has reached a point where it's guaranteed to see at least one retro game added per month.
Nintendo officially announced new additions today. Urban Champion, Golf, Donkey Kong Jr. Math, Mach Rider, Mystery of Atlantis, Solar Jetman, and Cobra Triangle are now available for Nintendo Switch Online members. All of these games can be found in the NES retro game library.
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Urban Champion – On these streets, there’s only one rule: Hit or be hit. Nintendo’s first 2D fighting game from 1986, Urban Champion is a fistfight between fighters looking to earn the title of champion – and send their opponent into the nearest manhole. If they succeed, they’ll receive confetti from the locals and, eventually, enough victory symbols to declare themselves the undisputed champion. But watch out for angry neighbors who will try to drop flower pots on your head, and the police will occasionally show up to temporarily break up the fight, or make an arrest if the fight timer runs out. Take on a computer opponent or a friend and prove your worth by becoming the Urban Champion!
Golf – Revisit one of the NES’s most original sports games. This 1990 classic features 36 holes of realistic golf, with hazards that change every time you play (so you’ll need to plan a strategy beyond just “swinging”). Check the wind direction, choose the right club, and adjust your swing as you drive. A scorecard tracks your shots for each hole as you tackle winding fairways and hungry sand traps. Tee time has come, so grab your clubs!
Donkey Kong Jr. Math – First question: Donkey Kong + Donkey Kong Jr. ÷ Math homework = ? The answer: Numerical fun. Originally released in 1986, Donkey Kong Jr. Math takes the vine-based gameplay of the original Donkey Kong Jr. and adds an extra element of mathematical challenge. Play as Donkey Kong Jr. and rescue Donkey Kong, who has been imprisoned by Mario. Navigate vines and platforms to solve math puzzles, which require you to do everything from collect numbers to enter the correct symbols to add, subtract, multiply, and divide them as needed to solve each problem. Along the way, you’ll collect fruit and keys, and dodge pesky birds, electric sparks, and scary munchers! Sorry, did we mention there’s a test?
Mach Rider – Set either 88 years in the future (from today) or 127 years in the future (from the game’s original release date in 1985), Mach Rider™ is a vehicular combat racing game where players navigate their heavily armed Quadrunner through the ruined wastes of Earth in the year 2112. Take on the obstacle course and speed through 10 different sectors, dodging obstacles and taking down enemies. You can also try your hand at the endurance course, where you attempt to complete sectors within a time limit, with oil drums and opponents determined to slow you down. You can also take on the time trial in Single Player mode, where you’re alone against the clock. Remember, you’re Earth’s only hope – you’re Mach Rider.
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Mystery of Atlantis – Known as Atlantis no Nazo in Japan, Mystery of Atlantis is a side-scrolling adventure that sees players take on the role of Wyn, an amateur explorer intent on uncovering the secrets of a lost civilization and rescuing his captive master from the forces of the evil Emperor Zavyra. Using sticks of dynamite, Wyn will attempt to survive in a myriad of exotic locations including caves, temples, and even clouds. Atlantis is comprised of 100 zones, each connected by warp gates – but choose wisely! Your success in the island’s labyrinth will depend on which gates you enter and which path you take.
Solar Jetman – You play as Jetman on a dangerous quest to recover the lost pieces of the Golden Warpship, a near-mythical spaceship. This early 90s multi-directional shooter puts you in the cockpit of Jetman’s Jetpod and lets you explore 12 menacing alien worlds, each with its own gravity level! Collect alien objects along the way to earn points that you can exchange for gear at the Interstellar Marketing Co. Trading Post. Once you’ve discovered a piece of the warship, you’ll need to tow it back to your mothership, battling the extra drag that affects your maneuverability (and burns your fuel – keep an eye on those gauges!). Recovering the pieces will be no easy feat, and Solar Jetman is your only hope!
Cobra Triangle – Heard of the Bermuda Triangle? Well, that’s a resort cruise compared to what awaits you in Cobra Triangle. Put your skills and reflexes to the test at the helm of a Cobra Class speedboat in this 1989 vehicle-based action game for the original NES. In this boat racing and vehicular combat game, you’ll face high-speed challenges including enemy boats with cannons, endangered swimmers, deadly sea monsters, dangerous whirlpools, and ticking time bombs. Traverse 25 stages of aquatic mayhem, where you’ll need to collect power-up items scattered throughout the levels to upgrade your speed and firepower if you hope to escape the Triangle in one piece!
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The Japanese version of the NES app also received an update, with slightly different content. Instead of COBRA TRIANGLE, SOLAR JETMAN, and The Mystery of Atlantis, they received Gomoku Narabe Renju, Shin Onigashima, and Mahjong. Check out the trailer for the Japanese games below:
Gomoku Narabe Renju is a strategy game for the console Famicom (known as Nintendo Entertainment System or NES outside Japan). Released in 1983 by Nintendothis game is based on the traditional games of Gomoku And RenjuThe game transposes the classic rules of Gomoku and Renju onto a digital interface, allowing players to compete directly on their console.
Game Features on Famicom
- Difficulty levels: In single player mode, players can choose from different difficulty levels to compete against the computer, adding an extra challenge.
- Graphics and Sound: As was the case with many games of this era, the graphics are simple and the sound effects minimalistic, but sufficient to provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
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Shin Onigashima is an adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the console Famicom Disk SystemOriginally released in 1987, this game is part of Nintendo's “Famicom Fairytales” series and is inspired by Japanese folk tales.
The plot of Shin Onigashima is inspired by Japanese folk tales and follows the adventures of two protagonists: a boy named Donbe and a girl named Hikari. The two children are raised by an old lady and an old gentleman on a mysterious island. The story begins when a demon attacks their home and they must go on an adventure to save their parents and discover their origins.
- Game mechanics:
- Players navigate through the game by choosing dialogue options and actions from context menus.
- The game features simple illustrations and animations to accompany the text.
- Puzzles and interactions with non-player characters (NPCs) are central to the gameplay.
- Chaptering:
- The game is divided into several chapters, each telling a different part of the story and introducing new challenges and characters.
- Saves are possible thanks to the Famicom Disk System's floppy disk format, allowing players to resume their progress where they left off.
Game Features on Famicom Disk System
- Graphics and Sound: The game uses the enhanced capabilities of the Famicom Disk System to provide higher quality graphics and soundtrack compared to standard Famicom cartridges.
- Narration: The focus is on storytelling and character development, making the game immersive and engaging for players.
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Mahjong for the console Famicomalso known as 4-nin Uchi Mahjongis a mahjong game developed and published by NintendoReleased in 1983, it is one of the first games available for the Famicom (known as the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES outside of Japan).
The game offers an electronic version of the game of mahjong, a traditional tile game very popular in Asia, particularly in Japan and China.
- Basic rules:
- Mahjong is played with a set of 136 or 144 tiles, divided into different categories and suits.
- The object of the game is to form combinations of tiles called “melds” and a “pair” to complete a hand of 14 tiles.
- Game Modes:
- Solo: The player faces computer-controlled opponents.
- Multiplayer: The Famicom version allows multiplayer play, although multiplayer features are limited by the console's capabilities at the time.
- Interface:
- Tiles are displayed on the screen, and players can select and play tiles using the Famicom controller.
- The game features a simple user interface to allow players to select tiles and perform actions such as “draw”, “discard”, “call”, and “win”.
Game Features on Famicom
- Graphics and Sound: As was the case for games of that era, the graphics are simple and functional, with a clear representation of the mahjong tiles. The sound effects are minimalistic.
- Adaptation of the rules: The game mainly follows the Japanese rules of mahjong, also called “Riichi Mahjong”, but simplifies some aspects to fit the digital platform and user interface.