New Pokémon Game Joins NSO Lineup

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

Get ready for a dungeon-crawling adventure! Nintendo announced the addition of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, launching August 9th. This classic Game Boy Advance title joins the growing library of retro games available to Expansion Pack subscribers, offering access to a curated selection of Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis titles.

Originally released in 2006, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team puts players in the paws (or fins, or wings!) of a Pokémon after a mysterious transformation. Explore procedurally generated dungeons, undertake missions, and unravel the secrets behind your new form. A companion title, Blue Rescue Team, was released for the Nintendo DS, and a remake, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, arrived on the Switch in 2020.

Mainline Pokémon Games Still Sought After

While the Expansion Pack regularly adds new classic games, the inclusion of primarily Pokémon spin-offs (like Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Puzzle League) has left some fans wanting more. Many are eager to see mainline entries, such as Pokémon Red and Blue, added to the service. Speculation regarding this absence ranges from potential N64 Transfer Pak compatibility issues to challenges integrating the service with the Pokémon Home app due to Nintendo's partial ownership. One fan theorized that ensuring fair and unexploitable trading mechanics within the NSO environment might be a contributing factor.

Nintendo Switch Online Mega Multiplayer Festival

Alongside the PMD: Red Rescue Team announcement, Nintendo unveiled a special resubscription offer as part of its Mega Multiplayer Festival (running until September 8th). Purchase a 12-month Nintendo Switch Online membership via the eShop or My Nintendo Store and receive two bonus months free! Further perks include bonus Gold Points on game purchases (August 5th-18th) and free multiplayer game trials (August 19th-25th; titles to be announced). A Mega Multiplayer game sale will follow from August 26th to September 8th, 2024.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, the future of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack remains uncertain. For more details on the upcoming Switch 2, check out the link below!