Nintendo has confirmed that three classic Mario titles will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service on Mario Day (MAR10 Day).
The additions include games from both the Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics and Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics libraries. They will become available to subscribers at no additional cost beyond the Expansion Pack tier.
Games Included in the March 10 Update
Three titles are scheduled for release on March 10:
- Mario’s Tennis (Virtual Boy, 1995)
- Mario Clash (Virtual Boy, 1995)
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Game Boy Advance, 2004)
Details on the Titles
Mario’s Tennis was one of the earliest Mario sports spin-offs, focusing on 3D tennis gameplay, which was unusual for handheld consoles at the time. The game used the Virtual Boy’s stereoscopic display to give players a sense of depth on the court, although the hardware’s limitations affected visibility and ergonomics.
Because of the short lifespan of the Virtual Boy, physical copies of Mario’s Tennis are rare, making this digital release one of the few ways modern players can experience it.
A screenshot from Mario Clash – Nintendo
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Mario Clash was a reinterpretation of the original Donkey Kong, replacing traditional platforming with new mechanics, including climbing and avoiding enemies in three-dimensional space. It demonstrated Nintendo experimenting with gameplay innovation within its existing franchises, leveraging the Virtual Boy’s unique features. Like Mario’s Tennis, its rarity makes it a notable addition for historical preservation on modern hardware.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a puzzle-platformer that combines elements of the classic arcade Donkey Kong with new challenges, emphasizing moving Mini Mario toys through obstacles. The game is an early precursor to the Mario vs. Donkey Kong puzzle series on Nintendo handhelds. It helped transition Nintendo’s puzzle mechanics from arcade-style challenges to portable, level-based gameplay on the Game Boy Advance.
Access and Requirements
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a paid upgrade to the base membership, providing access to legacy games from systems such as Virtual Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo 64. An active Expansion Pack subscription is required to play these three titles, and this tier is separate from the standard Switch Online plan.
An announcement for the Mario Galaxy Nintendo Direct – Nintendo
Nintendo has not announced additional Mario Day content beyond the games themselves. Fans are already excited to see what Nintendo may tease for the special day. A Nintendo Direct event is already scheduled for that day which will feature a special look at the Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Context Within Nintendo’s Classic Game Strategy
The inclusion of these specific titles represents a gradual expansion of older game libraries on Switch hardware. Nintendo has been adding legacy content across multiple systems since the launch of this service, aiming to preserve older games through its online offerings.
Mario and Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo
In recent years, Nintendo has periodically updated their catalog in coordination with events such as Mario Day. These updates add titles to the service to broaden the range of playable retro games.
By making these games available digitally, Nintendo allows players to experience historically significant titles without requiring original hardware. Subscribers can play them directly on the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
Which Mario Day game are you most excited to try on Switch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
