The Nintendo Switch Online service has just dropped three new retro titles for the NES and Game Boy, just in time for Halloween!
These games would have hit the spot just perfect a few weeks ago to give us time to enjoy them for the holiday. But I guess it is better late than never.
Let’s take a look at these three spooky titles launched on the Switch Online library for our holiday enjoyment.
Devil World (NES)
In what is the most child friendly game on the list (surprisingly, based on the name), Devil World is an NES title released back in 1984.
The game did not see a North American release due to the strict policy of no religious figures in Nintendo games back in those days. So a “devil” wasn’t going to be allowed into western homes.
This game is essentially Pac-man if Pac himself were a baby dragon, and a Donkey Kong like devil figure looms at the top of the screen watching you destroy his perfect world.
The game was developed by the dream team of Takashi Tezuka, Koji Kondo and Shigeru Miyamoto, who brought us a few franchises you may be familiar with – Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
While Devil World surely won’t be mentioned on any best-of lists along side those games, it’s a really unique deep cut worth checking out for the sake of history.
The Mysterious Murasame Castle (NES)
This is a japanese NES release that I had never heard of before today. But like I said earlier – better late than never.
The Mysterious Murasame Castle is looking like a unique blend of The Legend of Zelda and Kung Fu with its own unique aesthetic and content. And it also happened to be one of the earliest NES releases.
Like Devil World, this game was only released in Japan until much later. It did eventually come to the 3DS virtual console in 2014. But it remained a hidden gem of the east for twenty-eight years!
And now, nine years after that, we have this unique adventure experience on the Nintendo Switch. Just in time for a creepy night at home on October 31st!
Castlevania Legends (Game Boy)
This will surely be the fan-favorite release to come to the Nintendo Switch Online service for Halloween…
Castlevania Legends is a 1997 Game Boy release that saw a new female protagonist face evil in a prequel to the familiar NES games from the franchise.
Sonia Belmont faces vampires and devils in a platforming nightmare with all roads leading to a face off with Count Dracula.
Needless to say, this title whips up some good ‘ol fashioned button-mashing fun. With plenty of baddies to slay on your way to the Count.
The game play has always been thought of as a bit unruly and limited by the hardware. And its story was eventually considered non-canon entirely. But these quirks give the game some charm and has made it a bit of a cult classic.
For that same reason, it made an appearance on our list of the best Castlevania games as well!
And there’s no better time to jump into Castlevania Legends than on Halloween day. So go check it out on your Nintendo Switch!
