New Pokémon Game Joins Nintendo Switch Online Library

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team Joins Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Get ready for a dungeon-crawling adventure! Nintendo announced that Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team will be available on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service starting August 9th. This classic Game Boy Advance title joins the growing library of retro games accessible to Expansion Pack subscribers.

This roguelike adventure puts you in the paws (or fins, or wings!) of a Pokémon, tasked with solving the mystery of your human-to-Pokémon transformation. Explore randomly generated dungeons, complete missions, and uncover the truth! While a Blue Rescue Team version existed for the Nintendo DS, and a remake, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, launched on Switch in 2020, this is a chance to experience the original Game Boy Advance classic.

Mainline Pokémon Games Still Sought After

While the Expansion Pack regularly adds new retro titles, the inclusion of primarily Pokémon spin-offs (like Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Puzzle League) has left some fans wanting more. Many are hoping to see mainline entries like Pokémon Red and Blue added to the service. Speculation about why these haven't appeared yet includes potential challenges with N64 Transfer Pak compatibility, Nintendo Switch Online infrastructure limitations, and integration with the Pokémon Home app. The latter, not wholly owned by Nintendo, may present unique partnership complexities.

Nintendo Switch Online Mega Multiplayer Festival

Beyond the PMD: Red Rescue Team announcement, Nintendo is running a Mega Multiplayer Festival until September 8th! Resubscribe to a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership via the eShop or My Nintendo Store and receive two extra months FREE. There are also bonus Gold Points available for game purchases between August 5th and 18th. Plus, get ready for free multiplayer game trials (titles to be announced) from August 19th to 25th, followed by a Mega Multiplayer game sale from August 26th to September 8th, 2024.

Looking Ahead to the Switch 2

With the Switch 2 on the horizon, the future of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack remains to be seen. How this service will integrate into the next generation of Nintendo consoles is still unknown.