Nintendo’s September 4, 2019 Direct was more than a list of upcoming games. It marked the arrival of Super Nintendo games on Nintendo Switch Online and highlighted several remakes and ports that are now part of the Switch’s retro library. This retrospective explains what Nintendo announced, what eventually released, and which option makes the most sense for different players today.
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Quick answer
The biggest retro announcement was the launch of a 20-game Super NES collection for Nintendo Switch Online members on September 5, 2019. The presentation also featured The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Trials of Mana, and Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. All three later released as standalone Switch games. Active Nintendo Switch Online members can still access the Super NES collection through Nintendo Classics, while the remakes and definitive editions are separate purchases.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for gamers who remember the September 2019 Nintendo Direct, found the old announcement through search, or want a simple way to choose between original SNES games and modernized retro releases.
It is especially useful if you are unsure whether Nintendo Switch Online gives you permanent ownership of its classic games, or if you want to know which of the presentation’s “upcoming” titles actually arrived.
Why the September 2019 Nintendo Direct still matters
The original presentation ran on September 4, 2019. At the time, many of its announcements were framed as things Switch owners could expect over the following months. Years later, the more useful question is not what was promised, but what those announcements became.
The Direct showed three different approaches to older games:
- Original games through a subscription: Super NES titles joined Nintendo Switch Online in a dedicated app.
- Full remakes: Games such as Link’s Awakening and Trials of Mana rebuilt older adventures with new graphics and other changes.
- Ports and definitive editions: Games such as STAR WARS Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition brought established releases to Switch with varying levels of modernization.
That distinction matters because subscription titles and standalone games have different costs, features, and access rules.
The 20 SNES games that launched on Nintendo Switch Online
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System app launched for Nintendo Switch Online members on September 5, 2019. Its first lineup mixed famous Nintendo games with RPGs, racing games, sports titles, platformers, and more difficult action games.
- Brawl Brothers
- Breath of Fire
- Demon’s Crest
- F-Zero
- Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics
- Kirby’s Dream Course
- Kirby’s Dream Land 3
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Pilotwings
- Star Fox
- Stunt Race FX
- Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force
- Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts
- Super Mario Kart
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
- Super Metroid
- Super Puyo Puyo 2
- Super Soccer
- Super Tennis
Access warning: downloading the Super NES app does not mean you permanently own its games. Nintendo says an active Nintendo Switch Online membership is required, and offline access must be verified by connecting online every seven days.
What happened to the major retro announcements?
The old article described several games as future releases. The table below replaces that outdated wording with the confirmed outcome.
| Announcement | Type | Switch release | Why it matters now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super NES – Nintendo Classics | Subscription library | September 5, 2019 | The library expanded beyond its original 20 games and remains available to active members. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening | Full remake | September 20, 2019 | It reimagines the Game Boy adventure with new visuals, rearranged presentation, and quality-of-life changes. |
| STAR WARS Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast | Modernized port | September 24, 2019 | It offers the classic single-player campaign on Switch with modernized controls. |
| Trials of Mana | Full 3D remake | April 24, 2020 | The 1995 RPG was rebuilt with 3D graphics, voices, a remastered soundtrack, and revised combat and progression. |
| Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition | Definitive edition | May 29, 2020 | It became the most accessible Switch version of Shulk’s original adventure and remains compatible with Switch 2. |
Original SNES games or modern remakes: which should you play?
| Factor | SNES games through Nintendo Classics | Standalone remakes and editions |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Requires an active membership | Purchased separately |
| Presentation | Original-era graphics, sound, and design | Updated visuals, audio, interfaces, or gameplay systems |
| Best value | Players who want to sample many classics | Players focused on one longer game |
| Historical feel | Closer to the original experience | Reinterprets the original for modern hardware |
| Main limitation | Access depends on membership and service availability | Each game can cost more than trying the subscription library |
Best starting point by gamer type
New to 16-bit games
Start with Super Mario World. Its controls are easy to understand, but its level design still gives experienced players plenty to discover.
Want an adventure
Try A Link to the Past for the original SNES style, or Link’s Awakening if you prefer a modern presentation and a shorter standalone Zelda game.
Want a long RPG
Trials of Mana is the more direct action-RPG remake. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is better for players who want a much larger world and a longer story.
Want a challenge
Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts and Super Metroid reward patience, exploration, and learning older game-design conventions.
If you are still deciding what type of device suits your play style, see our comparison of phones and handheld consoles. Players building a larger-screen setup can also review the differences between a gaming monitor and a TV.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming subscription games are owned permanently: Nintendo Classics access depends on an active membership.
- Confusing a remake with an original release: Link’s Awakening and Trials of Mana deliberately change the presentation and some systems.
- Buying before checking compatibility: Confirm the current Nintendo store listing for your system and region.
- Expecting every old multiplayer mode to work online: Features differ by game, even when the Nintendo Classics app supports online play in compatible titles.
- Using unofficial ROM or download sites: Use Nintendo’s official service or legitimate store releases instead of unsafe or unauthorized downloads.
Final recommendation
For most retro-curious Switch owners, the Super NES Nintendo Classics app is the best first stop because one membership opens a broad library of different genres. Choose a standalone remake when you already know which series you want and prefer modern visuals, interfaces, and design changes. The September 2019 Direct matters because it showed both approaches working side by side: preserving original games and rebuilding selected classics for a new audience.
Sources and references
- Nintendo of America: Nintendo Direct 9.4.2019
- Nintendo: Nintendo Classics library and access information
- Nintendo: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- Nintendo: Trials of Mana
- Nintendo: Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
- Nintendo: STAR WARS Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Frequently asked questions
When did SNES games come to Nintendo Switch Online?
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System app launched for Nintendo Switch Online members on September 5, 2019, one day after the Nintendo Direct presentation.
How many SNES games were available at launch?
The launch collection contained 20 games, including Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Star Fox, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Do I keep Nintendo Classics games if my membership ends?
No. The classic-game apps require an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo also says offline play requires membership verification by connecting online every seven days.
Is Link’s Awakening included with Nintendo Switch Online?
The 2019 Switch remake is a standalone game, not part of the Super NES collection. Membership features such as cloud saves may apply, but the game itself is purchased separately.
Which retro game from the Direct is best for beginners?
Super Mario World is the easiest general recommendation because it teaches its controls clearly and remains enjoyable in short sessions. For a modern remake, Link’s Awakening is a friendly entry point for action-adventure players.
Choose the version that matches how you like to play
Use Nintendo Classics to explore several original games, or choose a standalone remake when you want one focused, modernized adventure.
