NES vs Famicom Switch Online apps – May 2019 update

For May 2019, both apps have received the same games. Still, there is a difference in one of them when compared between the western and Japanese versions. First, here’s the list of games added to the NES app:

  • Donkey Kong Jr.
  • Vs. Excitebike
  • Clu Clu Land
  • (SP) Star Soldier (Starts you with full upgrades at stage 8)

And here’s the list of games added on the Family Computer – Nintendo Switch Online app.

  • Donkey Kong Jr.
  • Vs. Excitebike
  • Clu Clu Land
  • (SP) Star Soldier (Same as above)

As you can see, the list is exactly the same. Vs. Excitebike was a Famicom game that was originally never released outside of Japan. But, since the game has no Japanese text, there was no issue in also making it available on the NES app.

Clu Clu Land, though, seems to have really options and levels when compared between the two releases. The music also seems to be different.

NES vs Famicom Switch Online apps – April 2019 update

The update for April 2019 brings things back to how they started. Both NES and Famicom get the same number of games. Still, though, there’s an important difference in Kid Icarus.

Below is the list of games added to the NES app:

  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
  • Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
  • Star Soldier
  • (SP) Kid Icarus (starts off in the final level with everything powered up)

And here’s the list of games added on the Family Computer – Nintendo Switch Online app.

  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (aka, Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan)
  • Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
  • Star Soldier
  • (SP) Kid Icarus (Famicom Disk version – Same start as above)

As expected, Kid Icarus in Japan is based on the Famicom Disk version. Besides the difference in sounds, though, there’s a huge difference in gameplay as well. The final level in the Japanese version is not an auto-scrolling one, but one where you can actually move the screen at your own pace. Also, you need to press the A button if you want to keep flying.