Nintendo Adds Three Classic GBA Titles to Switch Online

Nintendo continues to bolster the value of its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership by injecting more nostalgia into its digital library. The company has officially added three iconic titles from the Game Boy Advance (GBA) era to the dedicated GBA app, giving modern players a chance to revisit these handheld classics on their Switch consoles.

The three new additions are F-Zero: GP Legend, Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. Each of these games represents a different genre, offering a well-rounded selection for subscribers who enjoy high-speed racing, strategic role-playing, and platforming action.

F-Zero: GP Legend, released originally in 2004, is a high-octane futuristic racing game based on the anime series of the same name. It features a robust Story Mode that follows various characters from the F-Zero universe, alongside intense Grand Prix races that push the hardware to its limits. It remains a fan favorite for those who enjoy the speed and precision that the F-Zero franchise is known for.

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is arguably the most significant addition for RPG enthusiasts. As the third title in the Fire Emblem series to be released in the West, it is celebrated for its deep turn-based tactical gameplay and branching character progression. Players control siblings Eirika and Ephraim as they navigate a war-torn continent, making strategic decisions that impact the survival of their units. The game’s inclusion is a welcome nod to the series' roots before it became the massive global hit it is today.

Finally, Kirby & The Amazing Mirror brings classic platforming fun to the service. Unlike traditional Kirby titles where the goal is simply to reach the end of a level, this entry features a sprawling, interconnected map that encourages exploration and non-linear gameplay. It is particularly remembered for its unique multiplayer implementation, which allows players to call upon friends to assist in tackling the challenges of the Mirror World.

To access these titles, users must hold an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Unlike the standard tier of the service, this premium subscription includes access to the Game Boy Advance library, as well as classic catalogs from the Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, and additional DLC content for select first-party games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

The addition of these titles is part of Nintendo’s ongoing effort to preserve its back catalog and provide incentive for players to remain subscribed to its online platform. By releasing games in smaller waves, Nintendo keeps the service relevant and provides regular "mini-releases" that generate social media buzz among long-time fans.

For those who haven’t played these games before, the Nintendo Switch implementation includes several modern conveniences. Players can make use of save states to pause their progress at any time and use the “rewind” feature to correct mistakes—a godsend for the notoriously difficult maps in Fire Emblem or the reflex-heavy tracks of F-Zero.

As the Switch lifecycle begins to mature, the focus remains on leveraging the platform's massive install base to keep these classic games accessible to a new generation. With these three additions, the GBA library continues to grow into a comprehensive archive of some of the most experimental and beloved games from the early 2000s handheld market.