Nintendo is celebrating Mario Day with a new batch of retro titles for its Nintendo Switch Online service. Starting March 10, subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier will gain access to three classic Mario games from earlier Nintendo platforms.
The lineup includes one Game Boy Advance release and two titles originally developed for the Virtual Boy. While these games may come from very different eras of Nintendo history, each one offers a distinct look at how the Mario franchise evolved across multiple systems.
Three Retro Mario Games Join the Library
The upcoming additions highlight a mix of puzzle, sports, and arcade-style gameplay.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Game Boy Advance)
Originally released in 2004, Mario vs. Donkey Kong blends platforming with puzzle-solving mechanics inspired by the original Donkey Kong arcade game. Players guide Mario through trap-filled stages, collecting keys and retrieving Mini-Mario toys while chasing Donkey Kong across multiple themed worlds.
The title became popular for its level design and creative mechanics, eventually inspiring a series of follow-up entries. A modern remake for the Nintendo Switch was released years later, introducing the concept to a new generation of players.
Mario’s Tennis (Virtual Boy)
Released in 1995, Mario’s Tennis was one of the few sports titles available for the Virtual Boy system. The game predates the later Mario Tennis series and offers a simpler but still competitive experience with both singles and doubles matches.
Players can choose from seven characters from the Mario universe, each with their own play style. While the Virtual Boy hardware was short-lived, this game represented one of the earliest attempts to bring Mario-themed sports to consoles.
Mario Clash (Virtual Boy)
Also launched for the Virtual Boy, Mario Clash takes inspiration from the original Mario Bros. arcade formula. Players battle waves of enemies by knocking Koopa shells across layered platforms, using the foreground and background to strategize attacks.
The game uses vertical pipes and multi-layered stage layouts to create a different perspective compared to traditional side-scrolling Mario games.
Expansion Pack Subscribers Only
All three games will be available exclusively to members of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier. The premium subscription currently costs around $50 per year and includes access to additional retro libraries such as Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance titles.
The Expansion Pack also introduced a Virtual Boy application earlier this year, and the arrival of Mario’s Tennis and Mario Clash marks the first expansion of that library since the app’s launch. With these additions, the Virtual Boy catalog on the service grows to nine games, with more planned throughout 2026.
More Retro Titles Still on the Way
Nintendo continues to expand the Switch Online catalog across multiple classic platforms. The Game Boy Advance lineup already includes popular releases like Metroid Fusion, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, and Golden Sun.
Looking ahead, another major retro addition is expected soon. Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is scheduled to join the GameCube app in March, although Nintendo has not yet confirmed an exact release date.
For now, Mario fans will have three new classic adventures to revisit when the titles arrive on March 10.
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